Business

Half of workers in Wales are expecting a pay rise this year

Published

3 years ago

June 4, 2022

WELSH workers have high expectations of being given a pay rise this year and are ready to push their employers to get it, as the cost of living rises sharply for many, reveals the ADP Research Institute’s People at Work 2022.

Half of workers in Wales (50%) say they are expecting a pay rise this year to help them cope with the rising cost of living, and a further half (52%) say they are willing to ask for a pay rise if they feel they deserve one, according to the survey of almost 33,000 workers in 17 countries.

Across the UK, Women are less likely to ask for a pay rise than men, with 47% and 64% respectively.

Those who classify themselves as essential workers are more likely to do so than those who describe themselves as non-essential workers (58% compared to 50%).

Interestingly, those who are working from home (61%) are more inclined to ask for a pay rise versus those who work on site or in the office (39%).

The findings come at a time when the cost of living is rising rapidly in the UK with an inflation at a 30-year record high, an energy cap crisis, and following two years of pandemic-related disruption to jobs.

The optimism is palpable. Half (50%) of workers in Wales expect to get a pay rise in the next 12 months, almost a third (32%) a promotion and three-in-ten (30%) a bonus. This comes at a time when (36%) expect to be given increased responsibility by bosses.

Overall, workers in Wales say pay is the most important factor to them in a job, with over half (57%) saying it is a priority.

This is followed by job security (41%), flexibility over their hours (36%) and enjoyment of their work (32%).

The report explores employees’ attitudes towards the current world of work and what they expect and hope for from the workplace of the future.

Sirsha Halder, General Manager UK & Ireland, ADP, said: “Having worked hard through the strains of the pandemic, and with spiraling inflation creating a widespread cost of living crisis, many workers feel they need and are entitled to a raise. The vast majority are prepared to speak up to get one.”

“Employers should bear this in mind in today’s tight labour market, where maintaining a secure and stable skilled workforce is paramount, and more challenging than ever.”

“Pay is an even more pressing issue than normal right now and it is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future, with a clear knock-on effect on recruitment and retention.”

“Employers will have to reconcile that drive for higher wages with their own commercial imperatives, and with meeting workers’ requirements on other fronts, such as giving them the flexibility they also dearly want.”

One reason that workers may feel they deserve a pay rise is the number of extra hours of unpaid work many of them are doing, for example by starting early, staying late or working over breaks.”

“On average, workers in Wales are working an additional 8.0 hours of unpaid overtime each week. This is less than in 2021 (when the global average was 9.2 hours), but it is still higher than before the pandemic in 2020, when workers undertook an average of 7.3 extra unpaid hours per week.”

“However, at the same time, 53% of workers in Wales say they would like more hours for more pay if available. ”

Sirsha says, “Given that so many workers are keen to put in more time in order to increase their income, it’s debatable how long they will continue to give away the equivalent of a day’s work for free to their employers, with no questions or compensation asked.”

“In the current climate where there are so many pressures on workers – financial and otherwise – it is surely unsustainable to have so many people working well over their contracted hours for free.”

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Business

52 homes to be built in Roch as scheme gets final sign-off

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

THE FINAL stage of approval for a near-£10m Pembrokeshire residential development of 52 homes has been given the go-ahead.

Back in April, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee backed an application by Wakefield Pembrokeshire Ltd for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch.

18 objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.

Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.

An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, said: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].

“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.

“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, [policy] acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.”

Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the project had a “significant economic value” of around £10m, and the local applicant had “a sense of stewardship to the local community,” offering affordable housing and community infrastructure towards highways and education.

Approval was delegated to the council’s head of planning to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation, making community financial contributions.

The Section 106 agreement was recently agreed, with the application now formally approved.

Business

World of engineering and welding SPARCs interest in Ysgol Harri Tudur’s female learners

Published

3 days ago

December 20, 2024

Richard Lewis

AN EVENT hosted by Ledwood Engineering gave girls from Year 8 and 9 at Ysgol Harri Tudur first-hand experience of the world of engineering recently.

Engineering is a booming sector in Pembrokeshire with a high demand for skilled workers in exciting career pathways associated with the development of low carbon and renewable energy industry and the Celtic Freeport.

The young women heard from industry experts on the importance of engineering in Pembrokeshire, and had hands on experience using a welding simulator, at the company’s Pembroke Dock site.

The learners are part of the County’s SPARC (Sustainable Power and Renewable Construction) initiative aimed as inspiring and empowering young females to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways where females are under-represented in the workforce.

SPARC is funded through an alliance comprising Blue Gem Wind, Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, RWE Renewables, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College and the Swansea Bay City Deal.

Mrs Laura Buckingham, SPARC practitioner at Ysgol Harri Tudur said: “Our learners had a fantastic experience at Ledwood Engineering. They were given lots of advice by industry experts on the different career options and pathways within the engineering sector.

“They appreciated the opportunity to ask their questions and found the session very informative. Having the chance to trial their welding skills on the simulator was an experience they continue to talk about and has definitely piqued their interest.”

Poppy Sawyer, Year 8 SPARC learner added: ‘It was a really good trip. Talking to the different people there has helped me know more about the jobs we could get which will be very useful when making choices for my future.”

“They helped us a lot by giving us lots of information. We were able to look around and try welding. It was really fun,” added Tianna Marshall, Year 8 SPARC learner.

The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership also launched its Explore Engineering interactive website at the event.