CAPTURING the authentic sound and spirit of The Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band In The World, NOT THE ROLLING STONES have played festivals, theatres and private gigs throughout Europe, the middle east and the UK. This May, they will appear here on the Torch Stage in Pembrokeshire!

Featuring the best Mick Jagger lookalike you will ever see, truly international tribute act in demand all over Europe as well as the UK, will take you back to the Golden Age of The Stones- from Satisfaction to Sympathy for the Devil… You won’t believe it’s not Jagger!

Based on the Rolling Stones, an English rock band formed in London in 1962 and active for over six decades, they were one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the rock era and pioneered the gritty, rhythmically driven sound that came to define hard rock, and Not The Rolling Stones carry on that legacy today.

They have the unique asset of a ‘Mick and Keith’ who stagger audiences with their authenticity, also attested by the many TV and film credits they have between them.

Backed by a superb group of professional musicians that love the music they are playing; they convey their enthusiasm for the work of the world’s greatest rock and roll band.

Not the Rolling Stones will be on the Torch Theatre stage on Friday 16 May at 7.30pm. Tickets are £25. Visit the website for further details www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

Financial exports soar by 63.5% to £4.3bn

WALES has outpaced every other part of Great Britain in export growth for financial and related professional services, according to a new report by TheCityUK.

The report, Exporting from across Britain: Financial and related professional services 2025, reveals that exports from Wales surged by 63.5% in 2022, reaching £4.3bn—significantly ahead of the national average.

Across Great Britain, total financial and related professional services exports rose by 18.4% to £158bn, with nearly half (47%) generated outside London. Wales contributed 2.9% of the UK’s total financial services exports and 2% of the related professional services total.

The report provides a breakdown of 2022 data by region and nation, highlighting the growing contribution of areas outside London in strengthening the UK’s role as a global financial centre.

In terms of export destinations, 27% of Wales’s financial services exports went to the European Union, with the remaining 73% reaching markets across the rest of the world.

Tom Bray, TheCityUK Chair for Wales and Senior Office Partner (Cardiff) at Eversheds Sutherland, said: “It’s great to see such strong growth in Wales for financial and related professional services exports. Our skill and ability to provide high-quality financial and professional services plays an important role in driving growth in Wales, creating jobs and opportunities for communities across the nation.”

Anjalika Bardalai, Chief Economist and Head of Research at TheCityUK, added: “In 2022, Wales had an extremely strong year of export growth, albeit from a lower base than most regions. Nearly half of all UK exports in financial and related services now come from outside London, reinforcing the UK’s strength as an international financial hub and the importance of regional contributions.”

Policy recommendations

TheCityUK report also outlines a series of recommendations for industry, government, and regulators to support export growth in Wales and beyond. These fall under three key areas:

1. Improving access to trade opportunities

• Better coordination between UK government, devolved administrations, and investment bodies.
• Align local growth strategies with national trade goals.
• Launch a pilot national brokerage scheme to connect capital with investable projects.

2. Expanding global market access

• Finalise FTAs with Switzerland and India, ensuring better market access and digital trade provisions.
• Use talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council to promote regulatory cooperation.
• Strengthen regulatory dialogues with major markets like the US, EU, Japan, and Singapore.
• Replicate successful models like the UK-Switzerland MRA with other global financial centres.
• Encourage domestic and international investment into UK scale-up businesses.

3. Positioning the UK for future demand

• Make the UK a global hub for data, tech, and innovation.
• Establish the UK as the gateway for international investment.
• Focus development work on high-potential markets to maximise value.

The report underlines that Wales’s performance demonstrates the growing importance of the UK’s nations and regions in maintaining the country’s competitive edge on the global stage.

SCOUTS CYMRU has welcomed a commitment from the Welsh Government to exempt under-18s from paying the proposed visitor accommodation levy in Wales.

The announcement was made during a Stage 1 debate in the Senedd on Monday (Apr 1), as part of discussions on the Visitor Accommodation (Register and Levy) (Wales) Bill. The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Mark Drakeford, confirmed that young people staying in lower-rated accommodation “would now be exempt altogether” following a review of evidence submitted during the scrutiny process.

Youth organisations, including Scouts Cymru, had raised concerns that the levy could make it harder for young people—particularly those from low-income backgrounds—to access affordable outdoor learning and development opportunities.

Kerrie Gemmill, Chief Executive of Scouts Cymru, said: “This is a really positive step forward. Ensuring that under-18s are not charged the visitor levy when staying at lower-rate accommodation sends a strong signal about the value we place on youth development and access to the outdoors in Wales.

“We’re grateful that the Welsh Government has listened to the evidence from youth organisations and acted on it. While there is still more to do to ensure the final legislation supports volunteer-led, not-for-profit providers, this exemption is very welcome and will help protect vital experiences for young people across the country.”

Scouts Cymru has also reiterated concerns about the potential administrative burden the Bill could place on volunteers if facilities such as Scout huts, church halls, and community centres are required to register—despite overnight accommodation not being their primary function.

The organisation warns that adult volunteers, who are legally required to accompany children on overnight activities, may also be affected by the levy, even though the children themselves are exempt.

The Bill now moves to Stage 2, where amendments and further guidance will be considered.

ScoutsCymru is calling for clear guidance and exemptions for charitable and volunteer-run organisations—particularly where accommodation plays a supporting role rather than being the core purpose of the premises.