Business

Casual and part-time workers: Most vulnerable to job loss

Published

4 years ago

June 4, 2021

A NEW series of reports that focus on the effects of Coronavirus on employment in Wales was published on Thursday, May 27, by Public Health Wales.

Young people, and those in precarious work have been identified as being especially vulnerable to employment changes caused by the pandemic, with mental wellbeing and struggles to find or keep work cited as major concerns.

Many young people are unaware of the support that is already available and how to access it, suggesting a greater need for organisations to engage with young people on a deeper level, to find solutions to the barriers they face for gaining good, fair employment –critical for people’s good health and wellbeing.

FURLOUGH HAD UNEQUAL IMPACT

Dr Benjamin Gray, Public Health Researcher at Public Health Wales, said: “18-29-year-olds are the age group with the highest proportion placed on furlough (41%) and 2.5 times more likely to have been placed on furlough than the 40-49 years age group and as such risk an uncertain future. Furlough could potentially mask a longer-term impact of Covid-19 on unemployment, and this is a concern, especially amongst this age group.”

Dr Ciarán Humphreys, Consultant in Public Health with the Wider Determinants of Health Unit at Public Health Wales, said: “Young people have told us they have been hit by a multitude of factors that will potentially have long-lasting effects on their employment prospects.

“It’s not just about being in work, though. It is the nature, quality, and long-term prospects of that work – good, fair work, that’s so important for people’s health. We saw this impact play out in the study.

“Some working young people we heard from struggled with the impacts of work changes outside their control on their mental wellbeing, whereas most of those in stable employment generally felt well, supported by their employer, and confident about the future.

“We know that at UK, Wales and local levels there have been important actions taken to mitigate the impact of these employment changes. However, some of these are expected to come to an end.

“A clear message from our work is that it will take a range of approaches to support young people responding to the employment challenges of the pandemic, to improve health.

“Action can be taken at national, regional and local level. Employers, too, have an important role in helping young people into good quality work, and that includes public sector organisations.

“If we are to safeguard future health we will need to work collaboratively and effectively, involving young people.”

The reports are the first in a series of planned employment analysis by the Public Health Wales Population Health programme exploring the impact of Coronavirus on the Welsh labour market and will help inform policy and decision-makers.

Further phases of the research will look at how challenges could be addressed as the economy reopens and recovers, so that those most at risk of longer-term harm from the crisis can secure decent quality future employment, training, and education.

Key findings across the reports were:

• Around a quarter of a million workers were employed in shutdown sectors in Wales (18 per cent of all workers) at the outset of the pandemic with young workers (aged 16-24) much more likely to be employed in shutdown sectors (36 per cent compared to 11 per cent of those aged 35-64).

• Young people faced varied and complex challenges due to the pandemic. In addition to the challenge in gaining, retaining, and partaking in good, fair work, issues raised included the effects of the temporary lockdown, such as disruption of vocational learning and home-schooling, or exacerbation of pre-existing issues such as the nature of employment for young people, Brexit and reported lower uptake of universal credit.

• Those who work in low-paid, insecure work have less protection and rights due to the ‘flexible’ nature of their jobs. Young people are chief among these due to the specific sectoral trends in employment contract types. These employment changes have also translated into significantly different impacts for distinct groups, with those living in deprived areas of Wales appearing to have fared worst.

• There is substantial uncertainty about the future, especially when government schemes such as furlough come to an end as these cushioned the economic pain caused by the pandemic.

• Young people have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic and are likely to feel the effects for some time with concerns over scarring effects on job prospects and the potential for higher tax in the future to pay for the financial support schemes introduced by the Government during the pandemic.

• While interventions are perceived by decision-makers and influencers to be available, apart from the furlough scheme, young people in this study did not, on the whole, appear familiar with them or accessing the support.

• It will be critical to ensure young people are involved in the development of future support.

• Evidence suggests that labour market policies can substantially impact the health of both the employed and unemployed populations in a positive way.

• A range of policies are linked with improved mental and physical health outcomes, as well as reduced health inequalities; however, some, such as benefit sanctions, have been linked to either no health benefit or even harm.

Business

West Wales Holiday Cottages celebrates 20 years of success

Published

3 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tourism firm marks milestone with community celebration in Cardigan

WEST WALES Holiday Cottages marked two decades in business last week with a special anniversary event that brought together cottage owners, local partners, and tourism supporters from across the region.

The event, held at the popular Pizza Tipi venue in Cardigan, was an opportunity to reflect on 20 years of championing independent stays and promoting tourism across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire.

Founded in 2005 as a small family-run business, the company has grown from managing a handful of properties to showcasing almost 600 holiday cottages across West Wales.

Managing Director Lisa Stopher said: “We are so proud of our achievements over the last 20 years. We started with just a few cottages and now offer something for everyone. Some of our owners have been with us since the very early days, which is a testament to the fantastic team we have on board. We have exciting plans for the future and look forward to welcoming guests to West Wales for many more years.”

Guests at the celebration enjoyed food, conversation, and speeches highlighting the firm’s growth and impact on the region’s self-catering industry.

The company has played a significant role in supporting independent tourism and boosting the local economy by connecting visitors with unique places to stay across some of Wales’s most scenic landscapes.

Business

Milford Haven Port: Hospitality income overtakes biggest energy terminal

Published

5 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Tourism and hospitality generate more than any single energy customer, marking a historic economic shift for the UK’s leading energy port

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN — long known as Britain’s busiest energy gateway — has revealed that its hospitality and tourism businesses are now outperforming its largest energy customer.

For the first time in the Port’s history, income from hotels, restaurants, and visitor operations exceeded the revenue earned from its single biggest energy terminal, according to the Port’s 2024 Annual Report.

The milestone marks a strategic turning point in the commercial direction of the trust port, which has traditionally relied on oil and gas terminals such as Valero, Dragon LNG and South Hook.

***Excellent results: Port boss Tom Sawyer has definitely got something to smile about***

Chief Executive Tom Sawyer said that the shift demonstrates the value of diversification in a volatile global energy climate. “Hospitality and tourism generated more income for us in 2024 than the busiest of our energy terminal customers,” the report confirms. “This should be very reassuring to all our stakeholders as it underpins our ability to invest with greater confidence in our core port operations.”

Port invests in community and renewables

As a trust port, Milford Haven has no shareholders. All profits are reinvested locally — and in 2024, more than £500,000 was delivered in community grants, youth outreach, environmental work, and local development.

The Port posted £43.2 million in turnover, a 4.6% rise on the previous year. Operating profits rose by 65.9% to £6.8 million, and net profit after tax stood at £1.9 million, reversing a £1 million loss in 2023. Diversified revenue now accounts for 45% of total income, up from 39% the year before.

Green energy future for Pembrokeshire

***Plans for new floating turbines in the Celtic Sea could provide enough power for more than 4 million homes***

The year also saw the official opening of the Pembroke Dock Marine facility — a £60 million infrastructure project supported by the Swansea Bay City Deal, with visits from the Deputy Prime Minister, the Welsh First Minister and the Secretary of State for Wales.

With the emergence of Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) as a regional growth sector, and new hydrogen projects launching from Pembroke Port, the Port of Milford Haven is positioning itself as a central hub in Wales’ clean energy transition.

Two green hydrogen firms — ERM and Haush — launched operations in 2024, with trials underway and a 15MW electrolyser planned for local supply and refuelling uses.

Coastal tourism rises — jobs follow

Meanwhile, Milford Waterfront is booming. The Tŷ Hotel, operated by The Celtic Collection, exceeded expectations for its second full year, while McDonald’s, Greggs, Costa, and other outlets created 130 jobs over the past two and a half years.

Milford Marina reached 100% occupancy, with a growing waiting list. The area hosted thousands at events such as the Round Table’s fireworks display and beer festival. One luxury cruise ship, Star Legend, even brought cyclists from North America on a bespoke “Tour de Pembrokeshire”.

A new play park, accessibility upgrades, and repurposing of historic dockside buildings are all planned in 2025.

Changing priorities — and opportunities

***The Yasa Southern Cross, berthing at the Valero jetty, June 2025***

While energy remains the Port’s core operation, the fact that hospitality and tourism are now more valuable than its top energy customer sends a strong message about the changing economy of coastal Pembrokeshire.

Dr Siân George, the Port’s new Chair and a veteran of the marine renewables sector, said the shift was both strategic and symbolic: “This Port is anchored in its community. The fact that our strongest individual revenue stream in 2024 came from local tourism, not global energy, shows that our strategy is not just working — it’s transformative.”

Business

Wales Business Awards 2025 celebrates excellence across the nation

Published

6 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TWELVE outstanding Welsh businesses were honoured at the Wales Business Awards 2025 on Wednesday night (June 12), in a ceremony held at the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff.

Hosted by broadcaster Andrea Byrne, the awards—organised by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid—brought together organisations from across the country to celebrate enterprise, innovation and growth.

Whitland-based consultancy Landsker Business Solutions was named Professional Services Firm of the Year, recognised for its high-quality support to both pre-start and established SMEs across Wales. The judges also praised the firm’s ambitious growth strategy and ongoing innovation.

Wayne Evans, Business Development Consultant at Landsker, said: “With our work being so focused on supporting SMEs in Wales to grow, adapt and thrive, it is an honour to have been recognised by industry peers. I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful to our clients for continuing to place their trust in us.”

One winner was also crowned Wales Business of the Year 2025, selected by headline sponsor Bevan Buckland LLP.

Other category winners included:

Celtic English Academy
Concrete Canvas Ltd
Educ8 Group
FleetEV
Nanopharm
PeoplePlus
Rockwool Ltd
Safran Seats GB
Simply Do Ideas
Tyre Glider Ltd
Wales Millennium Centre

Gus Williams, Interim CEO of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “The Wales Business Awards celebrate the very best of Welsh business, recognising those leading their sectors in key areas such as trade, sustainability and innovation, and positively contributing to the Welsh economic landscape. We’d like to congratulate all of our incredible winners, including Landsker Business Solutions, as well as our worthy finalists.”

Notes:
Bevan Buckland LLP was the headline sponsor of this year’s awards, with support from ACCA Cymru/Wales, Acuity Law, Atradius, Browne Jacobson, Copa Data, Dauson Environmental Group, Legal News Wales, SH&P, Thomas Carroll, Tramshed Tech, the Welsh Government and Xeinadin.

The Wales Business Awards are presented by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, which promotes, connects, supports and informs businesses across Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and the Vale of Glamorgan.