News

Living on £13.18 per day

Published

12 years ago

August 29, 2014

AFTER A lifetime of work and years spent looking forward to a comfortable retirement, a new report shows that a very different reality awaits people in Wales, who will face a choice between working well into old age, or surviving on just £13.18 per day.

A 12 month research project into the UK’s savings and debt habits has unmasked the true scale of the crisis that is developing in UK society today, where millions of people face a future of poverty and State-dependency in retirement, if indeed they are ever able to retire. The ‘Tackling the Savings Gap’ project by financial services firm True Potential was launched in August 2013 to examine the true state of the UK’s personal savings and debt habits., as well as preparations that individuals are making for their own retirements. The effects of the financial crisis of 2008 onwards, high inflation, government austerity, low interest rates and easy access to high cost credit through payday loan companies as well as decades of poor financial education and complicated regulations have created a Savings Gap – the difference between what people need to live comfortably in retirement and the amount they are actually on course to receive. Since August 2013, True Potential has asked more than 6,000 people from across the UK about their personal finances and provisions for retirement and the findings clearly show that a crisis in old age is looming with people saving barely a quarter of the amount they will need. True Potential asked how much money savers would need to live comfortably in retirement. Thirty two per cent of respondents said that they will require between £16,000 and £25,000 per year. To achieve an annual income of that size, they would need a fund totalling £400,000 from which to draw an annual income of £20,000 for 20 years. To reach a £400,000 pension pot requires an annual saving of £8,888 over a 45 year working life. However, the data shows that savers in Wales today are: only managing to put £2,132.52 each year towards their pension pot; building a fund of £95,963 by the time they retire from which to live on; going to have to survive on an annual income of £4,798.15 or a daily wage of just £13.18 in retirement. Nationally, men are marginally better savers than women, but the situation remains bleak for all. Men are managing to save £3,603 per year compared to £2,260 for women. The 18-24 age group – the group with the most time to build up a large enough retirement fund – is managing to save £2,828 per year, though females in this age category are saving less – just £2,556 per year. All are well short of the target £8,888 needed to provide a £20,000 annual income in retirement. Only three per cent of Welsh savers surveyed as part of the research claimed that they would be able to survive on between £6,000 and £10,000 per year, with 79 per cent saying they would need at least £11,000.

Community

Lydstep Haven swimming warning lifted after sewerage repairs

Published

3 hours ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BATHERS have been told they can return to the water at Lydstep Haven after warnings linked to a pollution incident were lifted.

Pembrokeshire County Council had advised people not to swim at the beach after an “abnormal situation” was declared earlier this month over concerns about bathing water quality.

Natural Resources Wales has now confirmed that the status has been lifted following repair works to a private sewerage system.

Water samples taken in the days after the repairs indicated that the bathing water was no longer being affected.

Signage warning people not to swim will now be removed by the council.

An NRW spokesperson said: “The ‘abnormal situation’ status at Lydstep Haven beach in Pembrokeshire has been lifted by Natural Resources Wales.

“The lifting of this status means that Pembrokeshire County Council is no longer advising people not to swim at Lydstep Haven.

“The private operator has carried out repair works to their sewerage system and results from several water samples taken indicate the bathing water is no longer being impacted.

“NRW is continuing its investigation into any possible regulatory breaches.”

Community

Safe Haven Homeless breakfast raises more than £170 in Whitland

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FUNDRAISING breakfast held at The Station House pub in Whitland has raised more than £170 for Safe Haven Homeless CIC.

The event saw supporters gather at the pub, where landlord Mike provided a dedicated area for the organisation to display leaflets and posters, sell mugs, and explain more about its plans.

Collection tins were placed on each table and organisers said several generous donations were made during the morning.

Safe Haven Homeless CIC is being set up to provide a safe location, together with a wider support package, for homeless people who are desperate to get their lives back on track.

Organisers said the money raised would go towards the group’s work and help demonstrate to grant funders that the organisation is able to raise support locally.

A spokesperson said: “We intend to fund our initial start-up costs from grant funding, and by holding events like this we show grant funders that we are capable of raising funds ourselves.”

Safe Haven Homeless is also in the process of having a website built, which is expected to include a donations portal. The front page is currently live at www.safe-haven-homeless.org.uk, with OROGO Advertising working on the full site.

Photos:

Dave, founder and general manager, with his wife Lynne; director Steve Cox; supporters at the breakfast; the display area; and The Station House, Whitland.

Business

Cardigan bakery named among best in UK

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARDIGAN bakehouse has been named among the best bakeries in the UK as interest in “bakery tourism” continues to rise.

Bara Menyn, a small family-run bakehouse tucked away in a side street in Cardigan, has been highlighted by travel experts at holidaycottages.co.uk as one of the bakeries worth making a trip for.

The name Bara Menyn means “bread and butter” in Welsh, and the bakery has built a reputation for imaginative bakes, pizzas and seasonal produce.

Laura Kerslake, regional expert for Wales, said: “Bara Menyn is how you say ‘bread and butter’ in Welsh and the name of the small family bakehouse that is hidden down a side street in Cardigan, West Wales.

“It’s open three days a week so that the owners can fit the bakehouse around family life and their careers as artists.

“The family’s artistic flair can be seen in all the imaginative fillings and toppings on the bakes and pizzas served, which are also made using local, seasonal produce.”

The listing comes as the UK sees growing interest in independent bakeries, with spending on bakery goods reported to have risen by six per cent from 2025 to 2026.

Research also suggests that many people are now willing to travel for regional food experiences, from traditional cakes to artisan bread and pastries.

Two other Welsh bakeries were also highlighted: Little Valley Bakery, which has sites in Mumbles and Brynmill, and was recently named in the Good Food Guide’s 50 Best Bakeries 2026; and another Welsh entry included in the travel company’s wider list.

For Cardigan, the recognition adds to the town’s growing reputation as a destination for independent food, drink and creative businesses.