Business

Businesses’ Brexit fears dismissed

Published

7 years ago

July 5, 2018

Airbus: Warned of risk of capital flight

THE RECENT conduct of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has led to fears that the future of the UK’s business relationships with Europe are of secondary interest to senior government ministers.

A strongly-worded statement from the CBI, warning policy makers to ‘focus on business priorities and put evidence above political ideology’ was greeted with Mr Johnson remarking ‘f**k business’.

Those remarks were preceded by the Foreign Secretary being recorded saying that the border with Ireland was a minor issue of little consequence in the context of Brexit.

The CBI subsequently suggested that it will ensure negotiators on both sides ‘are well equipped with the unequivocal economic facts’.

Whether the facts fit the Foreign Secretary’s preconceptions of what Brexit might mean for the UK’s businesses is open to question.

AIRBUS RAISES STAKES

A similar gap between reality and ideology was exposed by the warning from Airbus that – in order to continue to comply with the European regulatory framework – it might have to move its base of operations from Broughton in Clwyd, where it supports 6,500 directly employed jobs and businesses and the economy over a much wider area.

In the absence of a Brexit agreement, UK aerospace companies will not be covered by existing approvals. More than 10,000 original aircraft parts originate in the UK, the manufacture of which is covered by tight regulations requiring certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency. Should a single parts supplier not be certified, its parts cannot be installed and aircraft will not be delivered.

If a supply chain agreement is not reached with the EU, the consequences for the aviation industry selling into the EU trading bloc will be a disaster for the UK.

BUSINESSES TOLD TO BUTT OUT

However, the unwelcome intervention of facts in the Brexit narrative roused Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to tell the BBC’s Andrew Marr that talking about job losses risked undermining the government in its negotiations with the EU.

“It was completely inappropriate for businesses to be making these kinds of threats, for one simple reason. We are in a critical moment in the Brexit discussions. We need to get behind Theresa May to deliver the best possible Brexit, a clean Brexit.”

Mr Hunt’s comments were supported by leading Brexit enthusiast Liam Fox, the Secretary of State for International Trade, who also suggested that businesses warning the government based on their own detailed knowledge of the regulatory regimes under which they work were somehow placing the UK Government’s negotiating position – which is as yet both unknown and possibly undetermined – at risk.

The key economic issue for businesses is ensuring the sort of continuity in trading arrangements which secures jobs and encourages investment. Large businesses need a significant amount of time to make decisions on the allocation of resources, particularly in the face of unpredictable trade policy by twitter approach of the US Government. Short of certainty, and faced with a capricious transatlantic trading partner which scraps trade agreements and treaties at short or no notice, businesses are understandably twitchy about their inability to plan and the absence of meaningful interaction with them by the UK Government’s crack Brexit team.

In a carefully-phrased statement to MPs, Business Secretary Greg Clark told MPs: “Any company and any industry that supports the livelihoods of so many working people in this country is entitled to be listened to with respect.

“The government has been clear that we are determined to secure a deal with the EU that meets the needs of our aerospace firms and the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on them.”

IRISH TRADE KEY FOR WEST WALES

Meanwhile, businesses have struck back at the apparent indifference of the UK Government’s key Brexit ministers to the interests of businesses which stand to be affected directly should the UK reach no regulatory deal – or a poor regulatory deal – with the EU.

Business groups the CBI, Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, the Employers’ Federation, and the Institute of Directors are placing pressure on the government to reach agreement on trade, customs, and immigration.

Pembrokeshire’s MPs, Simon Hart in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and Stephen Crabb in Preseli Pembrokeshire, are in an intriguing position over the issue of Irish trade.

With major ferry ports in Pembroke Dock and Fishguard, both Conservatives have a dog in the race to ensure that trade with the Republic of Ireland is at least maintained at current levels.

100,000 lorries were carried to Ireland via ports in Pembrokeshire in 2015. Any disruption of that trade, by the introduction of customs and immigration checks for example, would significantly reduce the attractiveness of west Wales’ ports to businesses trading with Ireland. That is not, however, a one way street. The Irish Government is also keen to maintain access to the UK as an access point to mainland Europe.

While the ports are not in themselves major employers, the ‘ripple effect’ of any loss or reduction in through traffic and any subsequent job losses could be significant. And concerns have been magnified by Stena’s decision to scrap a significant investment plan in Fishguard.

When we asked to respond to the Foreign Secretary’s views on the Irish Border issue and the importance of trade with Ireland to Pembrokeshire, Simon Hart said: “I have spoken (very informally) to [Boris Johnson] to make that point, which he says he recognises. The border issue might be minor in the overall context of Brexit but it is nonetheless very important.”

Stephen Crabb told us: “I have said right from the start that the issues over trade between the UK and Ireland, including the question of the Northern Ireland border, are some of the most complex and important of the Brexit negotiations.

“For us in Pembrokeshire it is important because of our trade links with Rosslare and I have raised this matter with Ministers in Ireland, the Cabinet in Westminster. The commitment that the Prime Minister has given that there will be no additional trade barriers for East-West trade between the UK and Ireland is crucial and reflects the points that I and others have been putting to her.”

Business

UK workers’ rights bill ‘undermines devolution’

Published

18 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter

SENEDD Members criticised the UK employment rights bill for “undermining” devolution and the Welsh Parliament’s role, warning of “dangerous” constitutional implications for Wales.

Luke Fletcher backed the principles of the bill: “Day-one rights for workers, zero-hours contracts being revised, removing restrictions on unions [and] ending fire and rehire.”

But the Plaid Cymru politician expressed serious concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to override decisions made by the Welsh Government.

He told the Senedd: “We are seeing provisions that encroach on the ability of this [Welsh] Government and this place to legislate on behalf of the people of Wales.”

Mr Fletcher said: “In the same way the Welsh Government would’ve opposed such a power grab in the days of a Tory government, I would hope they would do exactly the same now.”

His colleague Mabon ap Gwynfor expressed grave concerns as Senedd Members debated a legislative consent motion (LCM), the mechanism used to signify consent for UK bills.

He warned: “The way that this [Welsh] Government has actually introduced this, and the way that the Westminster government has approached it, is dangerous. It undermines the Welsh Government – it undermines this parliament – and it undermines devolution.”

Mr ap Gwynfor criticised so-called Henry VIII powers for UK ministers to change or overturn a law passed by the Welsh Parliament. “To me, that is entirely unacceptable,” he said.

Under the bill, Welsh ministers would need to obtain the consent of the UK Government before using powers to create a fair pay body for social care.

“We can’t continue to legislate in this way,” Mr ap Gwynfor said. “With powers being taken away from our parliament and our democratic voice being undermined time and time again.”

Warning of no Welsh scrutiny of the bill, he added that Welsh ministers opposed the use of Henry VIII powers but failed to convince their Labour colleagues in Westminster.

Mike Hedges said the Senedd’s legislation committee felt it was unsatisfactory that regulations could be used to create a devolved body under the bill.

The Labour committee chair said the Welsh Government was not content, “exhausting all reasonable avenues to challenge it” but not pursuing an amendment in the House of Lords.

Peter Fox, who chairs the health committee, expressed similar concerns, saying: “The Welsh Government has a long-standing commitment to promote fair pay in the social care workforce, yet has not brought forward its own bill.

“The effect of this choice is to severely limit the opportunities for stakeholders in Wales to be involved in the legislative process and for the Senedd to examine the policy in detail.”

Warning of a £5bn cost to businesses, his Conservative colleague Altaf Hussain said his party would vote against providing consent to the employment rights bill.

He told the Senedd: “Although the intentions behind this legislation appear commendable, I am concerned about the significant burden it will impose on businesses across the UK.”

Labour’s Hannah Blythyn, a proud trade unionist, defended the bill, stressing: “Whether we like it or not, employment rights are reserved and not enforceable at a Wales-specific level.

“If workers in the social care sector in Wales are not in scope of a UK social care negotiation body, employers would only be expected to provide the statutory minimum with regards to pay, terms and conditions, potentially disadvantaging more than 85,000 workers in Wales.”

Ms Blythyn said: “To not pass this LCM does risk leaving workers in the care sector in Wales behind, many of whom are predominantly lower paid women workers.

“I think we need to see this as a way of progressing worker rights in a sector that radically needs reform, a sector that society depends upon and a workforce, at different times in life, to whom we entrust our nearest and most dearest.”

Jack Sargeant, who is minister for fair work in the Welsh Government, said the bill will be the single biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.

Mr Sargeant told Senedd Members: “It enhances employment rights, it strengthens enforcement and it removes unnecessary restrictions on trade unions.”

He agreed with Ms Blythyn, one of his predecessors as minister: “I do note some of the concerns from some members in the contributions today but we do believe it’s very much in the best interest of the social care sector and social care workers in Wales.”

He criticised Tory opposition. “That’s no surprise at all,” he said. “Their party, when they were in power in Westminster, consistently tried to undermine workers’ rights for 14 years.”

Senedd Members voted 27-13 in favour of the LCM on July 15, with Plaid Cymru abstaining.

Business

Fishguard Port upgrade scheme lodged with national park

Published

19 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE EARLY early stages of a scheme for a new link bridge and floating pontoon for Fishguard’s ferry and associated works have been submitted to the national park, as part of multimillion-pound development which would provide better facilities for passengers and vehicles.

In an ‘observation’ application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the unnamed applicant, believed to be Stena Line, seeks a long string of proposals.

The submission, not accompanied by any published supporting documents, includes the replacement of the existing linkspan bridge and jack up barge with new floating linkspan pontoon to serve Stena line ferry at Fishguard Harbour.

A linkspan is a type of drawbridge used mainly in the operation of moving vehicles on and off a roll-on/roll-off vessel or ferry.

It also includes capital dredging of 78,000m3, with disposal at licensed site in Milford Haven, along with a piled reinforced concrete bankseat; tubular steel guide pile; reclamation to facilitate extension to the road and pedestrian network.

It also includes the demolition of structures, including a disused RNLI slipway; rock armour revetment with toe detail to tie into scour protection; storm sewer extension; and ancillary and temporary works.

The published observation scheme has been marked as a response.

Stena Line is currently in the process of applying to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for a marine licence application for the replacement linkspan at Fishguard Port, via its agents RPS Consulting UK & Ireland.

The submitted documents state that Stena Line proposes to replace the existing temporary arrangement of a linkspan and jack-up barge within Fishguard Harbour.

The minutes from a recent meeting of Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council suggest that this development will cost in the region of £15.5 million.

“The proposed development, providing a replacement pontoon, will allow safe berthing of the ferry, and provide an improved facility for passenger and vehicular access to vessels within the port,” state documents provided to NRW.

The planning boundary of the proposed development is encompassed by Fishguard Harbour, within Fishguard Bay.

Stena Line Ltd owns a floating pontoon, which they want to relocate to Fishguard.

Because the proposed development is within the boundaries of the West Wales Marine SAC and in proximity to other marine SACs, Stena has had to submit environmental statements to NRW. The most recent was submitted at the beginning of last month.

Business

2025 Self-Employment Trends

Published

23 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Staff Writer

Self-employment has grown in popularity in the last decade, especially after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an example, as of the first quarter of 2025, around 4.4 million people were self-employed in the UK, and whilst this is a slight dip compared to pandemic levels, where over five million people were self-employed, the numbers are starting to steadily increase.

So, let’s take a look at a few reasons why self-employment is on the rise again and some of the trends we are seeing in 2025.

Reasons For Growth

Flexibility

Being self-employed means more control over hours, clients, and workload. For many people, this has drastically improved their work-life balance and made it much easier for them to work around their personal commitments.

High Earning Potential

Although your earnings are typically less consistent and aren’t guaranteed, hourly rates for freelancers are often much higher than full-time positions, giving you the opportunity to earn significantly more money.

Better Job Satisfaction

Many people are turning their passions and hobbies into income streams. Whilst being self-employed is no easy feat, doing what you love every day and being your own boss can have a positive impact on job satisfaction and day-to-day happiness.

2025 Trends

Let’s dive into the trends of self-employment we are seeing in 2025.

Demographics

Male self-employment levels have seen a decline, again using the UK as an example, these have fallen from 3.3 million in 2020 to 2.7 million in 2022. But the (mean) age of people in self-employment has remained steady at around 47.5 years.

Industries

One of the biggest trends for self-employment in 2025 is within the creative industries. 28% of people in creative sectors are self-employed and content creation is one of the fastest growing areas of self-employment.

Social media, influencer marketing, and blogging are becoming some of the most sought after careers due to their creative freedom, flexibility, and high earning potential. Some are also choosing to partner with a specialist service, one option that’s proving more and more popular with many content creators is to work with OnlyFans management agency, to further propel their careers in this particular digital space and maximise their earning potential.

The Future of Self-Employment

Despite the challenges that come with self-employment, such as irregular income, lack of employee benefits, and potentially more difficulty qualifying for loans and mortgages, self-employment is still widely desired.

It’s likely that we will see an increase in self-employment in the near future, with social media and digital jobs offering better opportunities, more creative freedom, and improved work-life balance.