Business

Consumers in Wales ‘willing to pay the price’ to help tackle climate change

Published

4 years ago

June 14, 2022

THE MAJORITY of people in Wales are still committed to tackling the climate crisis despite rising energy prices and severe cost of living pressures, according to new research by The Co-operative Bank.

The survey showed that 67 per cent of adults in Wales believe it is still important to invest in green energy solutions to tackle climate change even if the Green Levy adds to the cost of household energy bills. This is the majority sentiment across all income levels, including those on lower incomes, showing that environmentally conscious consumers are prepared to pay the price to help tackle the climate emergency.

Climate change also topped the rankings as the most urgent social and environmental issue across the UK, coming above other issues including poverty and food insecurity. The survey found 45 per cent of people in Wales agree that addressing the climate crisis is one of the most important issues facing the country. Meanwhile, 71 per cent of people in the region said that companies should be more transparent about their business practices when it comes to their environmental credentials.

The study also asked consumers to share their thoughts on how their bank should conduct itself on environmental and social matters. The research showed that 35 per cent of people would ask their main bank account provider to do more to support environmental and social issues and that 37 per cent would like their bank to consult them on its approach to these challenges.

The findings come as The Co-operative Bank unveils its refreshed customer-led Ethical Policy, which sets out renewed and ambitious environmental and social commitments based on feedback from circa 50,000 customers.

Speaking about the research, Co-operative Bank CEO Nick Slape said: “It is clear that climate change is a major concern for UK consumers and a concern that we share with our customers. Tackling climate change has been a priority for the Bank over the last three decades since our customers told us through our values and ethics poll that the environment matters to them.

“Consumers today want to know that they have a voice on the most important issues which is why we recently asked our customers, through our sixth Values and Ethics Poll, what their key concerns were and how we, as their bank, could help. Around 50,000 of our customers across the UK took part and their answers informed the latest update to our Ethical Policy with renewed commitments to our customers, on how we use their money, and how we act as a business aligned with the priorities of our changing world.

“Our latest policy is structured around customers’ concerns for our planet, for people and for our communities. Under each of these pillars we outline what we’ll campaign for; stating the positive steps we’re taking on issues ranging from biodiversity to social justice, reflecting the evolution in our customers’ views since we first conducted this unique, large scale survey of our customers’ priorities back in 1992.”

The Co-operative Bank, marking its 150th year of business rooted in co-operative values and ethics, continues to champion the fight against climate change. As the first UK bank to sign the Paris Pledge, denying finance for coal mining and power generation, The Co-operative Bank has been beyond carbon neutral for over a decade, and has not sent any operational waste to landfill for the last two years with 70 per cent of its waste recycled in 2021. The Bank also remains committed to its energy targets and in 2021 reduced its energy consumption by 18 per cent year-on-year and sourced all directly procured electricity from renewable sources.

With the best ESG score of any UK high street bank The Co-operative Bank is proud to support the Zero Hour campaign and back The Climate and Ecology Bill, which recently had its first reading in the House of Lords. The campaign for the Climate and Ecology Bill launched with its first introduction in Parliament in September 2020. Zero Hour is a mass mobilisation campaign and has the backing of 151 cross-party MPs and Peers, over 200 councils have passed motions in support of the Bill, 25,000 members of the public have signed up to the campaign and over 450 businesses, community groups and NGOs support the Bill.

Dr Amy McDonnell, Zero Hour Campaign Director said: “2022 is a crucial year for our planet. The Climate and Ecology Bill is an ambitious proposal for a new law. It contains a robust strategy for tackling the twin nature and climate crisis in a joined-up way, and it ensures the public get a say on finding a fair way forward. Zero Hour, the campaign for the Bill, is proudly partnering with The Co-operative Bank, an organisation that has a clear commitment to tackling this important issue and a long history of campaigning on the causes that matter most to its customers. The findings from The Bank’s recent research shows that combating climate change is one of the most important issues that the UK faces today and consumers are behind a huge and growing drive for big, bold changes to UK legislation.”

Business

Tax deadline for self-employed and landlords as digital system goes live in April

Published

43 minutes ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Quarterly online reporting to become mandatory for higher earners under HMRC shake-up

MORE than 860,000 sole traders and landlords across the UK are being urged to prepare now for major changes to the way they report tax, with new digital rules coming into force in just two months.

From April 6, thousands of self-employed workers and property landlords earning over £50,000 a year will be required to keep digital records and submit quarterly income updates to HM Revenue & Customs under the Government’s Making Tax Digital scheme.

The changes form part of a wider overhaul designed to modernise the tax system and reduce errors.

Instead of submitting figures once a year, those affected will use approved software to record income and expenses throughout the year and send short quarterly summaries to HMRC. Officials stress these are not extra tax returns, but updates intended to spread the workload and avoid the usual January rush.

Free and paid software options are available, with the system automatically generating the figures needed for submission.

At the end of the tax year, users will still file a Self Assessment return, but most of the information will already be stored digitally.

Craig Ogilvie, HMRC’s Director of Making Tax Digital, said the move should make tax reporting simpler.

He said: “With two months to go until MTD for Income Tax launches, now is the time to act. The system is straightforward and helps reduce errors. Thousands have already tested it successfully.

“Spreading your tax admin throughout the year means avoiding that last-minute scramble to complete a tax return every January.”

More than 12,000 quarterly updates have already been submitted during a voluntary trial.

Phased rollout

The new rules will be introduced gradually:

• From April 2026 – those earning £50,000 or more
• From April 2027 – those earning £30,000 or more
• From April 2028 – those earning £20,000 or more

To ease the transition, HMRC says it will not issue penalty points for late quarterly submissions during the first 12 months.

After that, a points system will apply, with a £200 fine only triggered once four late submissions are reached.

Anyone unable to use digital tools for genuine reasons can apply for an exemption.

Tax agents and accountants are advising clients to prepare early to avoid last-minute problems.

Further guidance, webinars and sign-up details are available via GOV.UK.

Business

Bid to convert office space into chocolate factory, salon and laundrette

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for the retrospective conversion of office space previously connected to a Pembrokeshire car hire business to a chocolate factory, a beauty salon and a laundrette has been submitted to county planners

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr M Williams, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought retrospective permission for the subdivision of an office on land off Scotchwell Cottage, Cartlett, Haverfordwest into three units forming a chocolate manufacturing, a beauty salon, and a launderette, along with associated works.

A supporting statement said planning history at the site saw a 2018 application for the refurbishment of an existing office building and a change of use from oil depot offices to a hire car office and car/van storage yard, approved back in 2019.

For the chocolate manufacturing by ‘Pembrokeshire Chocolate company,’ as part of the latest scheme it said: “The operation comprises of manufacturing of handmade bespoke flavoured chocolate bars. Historically there was an element of counter sales but this has now ceased. The business sales comprise of online orders and the delivery of produce to local stockist. There are no counter sales from the premises.”

It said the beauty salon “offers treatments, nail services and hairdressing,” operating “on an appointment only basis, with the hairdresser element also offering a mobile service”. It said the third unit of the building functions as a commercial laundrette and ironing services known as ‘West Coast Laundry,’ which “predominantly provides services to holiday cottages, hotels and care homes”.

The statement added: “Beyond the unchanged access the site has parking provision for at least 12 vehicles and a turning area. The building now forms three units which employ two persons per unit. The 12 parking spaces, therefore, provide sufficient provision for staff.

“In terms of visiting members of the public the beauty salon operates on an appointment only basis and based on its small scale can only accommodate two customers at any one time. Therefore, ample parking provision exists to visitors.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing and commercial laundrette service these enterprises do not attract visitors but do attract the dropping off laundry and delivery of associated inputs. Drop off and collections associated with the laundry services tend to fall in line with holiday accommodation changeover days, for example Tuesday drop off and collections on the Thursday.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing ingredients are delivered by couriers and movements associated with this is also estimated at 10 vehicular movements per week.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Business

First Minister criticised after ‘Netflix’ comment on struggling high streets

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Government announces 15% support package but campaigners say costs still crushing hospitality

PUBS, cafés and restaurants across Wales will receive extra business rates relief — but ministers are facing criticism after comments suggesting people staying home watching Netflix are partly to blame for struggling high streets.

The Welsh Government has announced a 15% business rates discount for around 4,400 hospitality businesses in 2026-27, backed by up to £8 million in funding.

Announcing the package, Welsh Government Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “Pubs, restaurants, cafés, bars, and live music venues are at the heart of communities across Wales. We know they are facing real pressures, from rising costs to changing consumer habits.

“This additional support will help around 4,400 businesses as they adapt to these challenges.”

The announcement came hours after Eluned Morgan suggested in Senedd discussions that changing lifestyles — including more time spent at home on streaming services — were contributing to falling footfall in town centres.

The remarks prompted political backlash.

Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Jane Dodds, said: “People are not willingly choosing Netflix over the high street. They are being forced indoors because prices keep rising and wages are not.

“Blaming people for staying at home is an insult to business owners who are working longer hours just to survive.”

Industry groups say the problem runs deeper than consumer behaviour.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) welcomed the discount but warned it would not prevent closures.

Chris Charters, CAMRA Wales director, said: “15% off for a year is only the start. It won’t fix the unfair business rates system our pubs are being crushed by.

“Welsh publicans need a permanent solution, or doors will continue to close.”

Across Pembrokeshire, traders have repeatedly told The Herald that rising energy bills, wage pressures and rates — rather than a lack of willingness to go out — are keeping customers away.

Several town centres have seen growing numbers of empty units over the past year, with independent shops and hospitality venues reporting reduced footfall outside the main tourist season.

While ministers say the relief balances support with tight public finances, business groups are calling for wider and longer-term reform.

Further debate on rates changes is expected later this year.