News

UKIP Mep in immigration worker controversy

Published

11 years ago

June 16, 2014

NEWLY ELECTED UKIP MEP, Nathan Gill, was at the centre of controversy this week over his family business’s employment of migrant workers.

In his home city of Hull, Nathan Gill was a director of a number of family businesses that provided care services to the Local Authority. Mr Gill confirmed that within those businesses were employed dozens of Eastern European and Filipino workers. Mr Gill explained why these migrant workers were employed, stating, “Because we could not find workers to do the jobs”. He continued by saying, “We had a care home of our own, but mostly our workers were employed on home care contracts we had with Hull City Council and other organisations. The workers were paid more than the minimum wage, but not massively more. The amount we could afford to pay was determined by the amount of money we received from the Council. Working in care is quite tough and we had a big turnover of staff”. Mr Gill also confirmed his company provided “bunkhouse” accommodation for workers, stating that: “The bunkhouses were temporary accommodation we offered to people coming from overseas until they could get something more permanent. We charged £50 a week inclusive of electricity to people who would be earning between Â£200 and £300 a week.” The newly elected Euro MP said the family firm, Burgill Ltd, collapsed when a bank withdrew its borrowing facility after the banking crisis. He continued to defend his position in relation to UKIP policy, saying, “I can see how this could look bad, but it’s a case of ‘damned if you do and damned if you don’t”. If we hadn’t employed people from overseas, we’d have been called racist. The fact that we did employ immigrants is leading to charges of hypocrisy. But UKIP has never said it wants to stop all immigration – it wants to limit the numbers.” UKIP leader Nigel Farage, however, stated in an interview with BBC Radio 4 that his party would not allow any migrants, who want to settle to come to the UK, while immigration policy was sorted out, should his party be elected into Government. He went on to make his party”s position clear on the issue, stating, “In terms of immigration, in terms of people coming to settle, I would suggest that for up to a five-year period we don’t have people coming to settle until we sort out the mess.” Nigel Farage has been at the centre of much controversy over whether or not his party are a “racist party” and has also been quoted as saying that mass immigration has, “left Britain an unrecognisable country that many people would not want to leave to their children and grandchildren”, and that the arrival of migrants has some British people feeling that parts of the country are now alien to them, having been “taken over” by foreigners. Earlier this year, on an LBC radio interview, when asked if a group of Romanian men moved in next to you would you be concerned, he responded by saying, “If you lived in London I think you would be”. Indeed, on BBC’s Question Time, in the run up to the European elections, he controversially told the audience how he caught a recent commuter train from London to Kent and had to wait for several stops before he heard English being spoken, referring to the incident as having made him feel “uncomfortable”.

News

Fire fighters respond to dangerous structure incident in Johnston

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AT 8:28am on Friday (Jan 24), a crew from Haverfordwest Fire Station responded to a dangerous structure incident on Vine Road, Johnston.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to address roof ridge tiles hanging precariously from a two-storey domestic property over a public pavement.

A full road closure was implemented while firefighters used a turntable ladder to safely remove the tiles and secure the area.

The pavement and road have since reopened. The crew left the scene at 9:28am.

News

County councillor warns of dangerous and illegal E-scooter use in Haverfordwest

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A COUNTY councillor in Haverfordwest has raised concerns about the dangerous actions of individuals using e-scooters in the town centre. Cllr David Bryan says that complaints from residents about the misuse of these devices have become a daily occurrence, highlighting the risks posed to pedestrians and road users alike.

According to Cllr Bryan, riders—both youngsters and adults—have been observed engaging in reckless behaviour, such as riding against the flow of traffic on one-way streets like High Street and Quay Street, as well as using pedestrian areas and pavements on Bridge Street and Riverside. Such actions put vulnerable residents, particularly older people and those who are hard of hearing, at significant risk.

“E-scooters ridden in pedestrian areas, on pavements, and against the flow of road traffic are not only dangerous but are also illegal,” the councillor said. “The only lawful way to use an e-scooter is on private land with the landowner’s permission.”

The councillor also criticised retailers for failing to adequately inform customers about the legal restrictions surrounding e-scooters at the point of purchase. “The lack of responsibility by sellers is extremely poor,” they added.

Police crackdown on E-Scooter misuse

Dyfed-Powys Police are conducting an operation to tackle the issue. Efforts include educating riders through school visits and other outreach initiatives, as well as seizing and impounding e-scooters that are being ridden illegally in public spaces.

Residents are urged to report instances of illegal e-scooter use by calling 101, providing details such as location and time to assist police investigations. CCTV footage may then be used to identify offenders.

Cllr Bryan concluded: “By working together, we can address this anti-social behaviour and make our town centre safer for everyone.”

News

Consultation launched on changes to Library Service

Published

3 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has launched a consultation about proposed changes to the Library Service.

The public is asked for feedback on proposed changes to Milford Haven, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Libraries.

Following a Library Needs Assessment last summer which asked the public about their library needs and about ways to reduce running costs as part of Council-wide savings requirements, it became clear that respondents did not support closing libraries, replacing staff with 24/7 access technology or reducing the book fund.

More support was given to reducing costs by co-locating or downsizing libraries, working with volunteers or reducing opening hours.

Working on the basis of a potential 20% savings requirement for the Library Service, the following changes are proposed:

Milford Haven Library: either to relocate the library to a smaller/cheaper premises or establish a Community Managed Partnership at the current library.

A Public Meeting will be held on Monday 3^rd February 2025, starting at 6.30pm at Milford Haven Library to outline how the option to establish a Community Managed partnership would work. All are welcome to attend.

Pembroke Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by eight hours per week.
Pembroke Dock Library: the proposal is to reduce opening hours by seven hours per week. We are also looking at options to share the library space with a third-party to reduce premises costs.

To take part in the consultations, please follow the links below.

Customers often use more than one library, so please feel free to take part in any / all of the surveys.

Paper copies of the consultations are available at each of the three libraries.

The paper surveys will remain in place until 5pm, on 17th February 2025, when the consultations will close.

The online survey will also close at the same time.

Should the Library Service savings requirement go up or down from 20% following the Council budget meeting on February 20th, a fresh consultation in relation to any additional or different proposals for change will be made.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “The Library Needs Assessment last year has helped shape the current proposals in a way that avoids library closures and some of the other negative impacts that the respondents told us they were against.

“Given the difficult financial situation impacting the Council we have tried to create proposals that strike a balance that continues to providing a much loved library service while also providing savings.

“Please take the time to fill in the surveys and provide feedback on the proposals ahead of decisions being taken.

“For those who use Milford Haven Library please also take up the opportunity to attend the public meeting on Monday 3^rd February 2025, at 6.30pm.”