Business
Unite announces strike ballot dates for 1,500 steel workers at Tata

UNITE, the UK’s leading union, which represents over a thousand members at the Port Talbot steel works has announced that it will begin the balloting process for industrial action on St Davids Day (Friday 1 March).
Unite will formally notify Tata of its intention to ballot for industrial action, on Friday 1 March, with the ballot opening on Friday 8 March and closing on Tuesday 9 April. Industrial action could therefore begin before the end of April.
The industrial action ballot is a direct result of the announcement last month by Tata that it intends to close its blast furnaces at Port Talbot with the loss of 2,800 jobs, primarily at Port Talbot but also at its Llanwern operation. Unite has secured investment from Labour for the site, so Tata’s actions are incomprehensible, with this investment around the corner. Unite will be balloting approximately 1,500 of its members.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Tata has failed to halt its disastrous and destructive plans for Port Talbot, the Welsh economy and the UK as a whole. Even though Unite has secured significant Investment for the sites from Labour. Tata’s actions is one of industrial vandalism and will be fought. Unite’s preparations for its industrial action ballot are complete, this will start on 1 March.
“Only determined action can break the spiral of decline that has gripped our steel industry. Demand for low carbon steel is growing and the UK must be at the forefront of the green steel revolution. This is an opportunity to grow jobs not cut them.
“Steel is a foundation industry that underpins a quarter of the UK’s GDP. Becoming reliant on imports in an increasingly unstable world will have disastrous results.
“Our political leaders must shock proof our economy and ensure that Tata’s catastrophic plans are consigned to the dustbin of history.
“Unite’s unremitting focus on its members jobs, pay and conditions means we always fully support them during any industrial dispute, with all the required resources needed, including the union’s multimillion pound strike fund.”

In a similar move, Senior officials of steelworkers’ union Community have this week (Friday, Feb 16) passed a resolution to ballot for industrial action in response to the threat of job losses at Port Talbot and downstream Tata sites.
The resolution, which was agreed at a meeting of 40 Community representatives from across the country today, gives the union the formal mandate to ballot its members on strike action.
Community represents more steelworkers than any other union, including the vast majority of workers impacted by Tata’s decarbonisation plans.
Community Union General Secretary Roy Rickhuss CBE said: “Industrial action is always a last resort but Tata’s actions mean we now have to prepare for that eventuality. Recent statements from the leadership of Tata Steel leave little doubt the company is determined to impose its devastating proposals come what may, making a complete mockery of the ongoing consultation process.

“There is still time for Tata to change their position, but as things stand we are heading towards a major industrial dispute. Community’s senior officials have unanimously endorsed balloting our membership for industrial action, and we are preparing for that ballot to take place as soon as is practically possible.
“Tata should take note – we are prepared to fight for our industry and our communities. We will not be walking silently into the night.”
Community Union Assistant General Secretary Alasdair McDiarmid said: “Whilst the consultation on Tata’s plan is still ongoing, recent comments from the senior leadership of Tata Steel have brought that process into disrepute. It is apparent that Tata are no longer considering alternatives to their disastrous plan to install a 3 million tonne electric arc furnace, which we have always said is completely unacceptable, and we are seriously concerned the consultation is a sham.
“Tata’s attempts to misrepresent and discredit the credible alternative Multi-Union Plan have been quite frankly disgraceful. Tata must think again, and engage with us in meaningful consultations to secure a just transition and the future of Port Talbot and all the downstream sites.
“Rishi Sunak has to step up too and back our industry to the extent the German Government is backing theirs. The Multi-Union Plan has received unanimous cross-party support in the Senedd, the backing of industry experts and MPs across the house, and can be delivered if only our Government matches the ambition of our European neighbours.”
Alun Davies, National Officer for Steel at Community Union, said: “No worker ever relishes the prospect of going on strike, but we are being pushed ever-closer to that option. Tata need to know that we are serious about fighting for the future of Port Talbot and the downstream sites, a future which their plans would damage irreversibly.
“Tata’s plan represented the cheapest option on the table and it is bad for jobs, bad for the economy, bad for the environment and bad for national security. We will not accept it.
“Today’s resolution confirms our intent to ballot on industrial action if Tata are unwilling to reconsider their damaging proposals. We will not stand back and allow our livelihoods, our communities and the UK’s steelmaking capacity to be thrown on the scrap heap.”
Business
Last chance to buy high-quality homes at Carmarthenshire site

ONLY six properties remain for sale at a popular housing development in Cross Hands.
Parc Cerrig – which has easy access to the A48 and M4 – has three and four-bed homes for sale from £284,995 to £344,995. Help-to-Buy Wales is available at Parc Cerrig, meaning customers could buy a home with a minimum deposit of 5%.
The houses have been built by Persimmon Homes, West Wales’ largest developer, which has a five-star ranking from the Home Builders Federation, which means nine-in-ten customers would recommend them to a friend.
Cross Hands is a village close to Carmarthen, while the development is a short walk from a range of amenities, including big brands at the excellent retail park, two supermarkets, a number of independent shops and eateries, schools, a doctor’s surgery, and a cinema. Llanelli and Swansea are 20 and 30 minute drive away, respectively.
Interested buyers are encouraged to act quickly to secure their dream home in this desirable location. With interest expected to be high, potential buyers are advised to act quickly to secure their dream home on this desirable development.
During the housebuilder’s time at Parc Cerrig, Persimmon has overseen the construction of 198 new homes. For more information or to arrange a viewing of the final properties, please visit the Persimmon website at persimmonhomes.com or contact our sales team directly on 01269 503893.
Commenting, Persimmon Homes West Wales’ sales director, Sharon Bouhali, said: “With only six homes remaining at Parc Cerrig, we’re excited to offer this final opportunity to own a high-quality home built by a five-star builder at this development, where families will also benefit from the brand-new primary school and a local community centre.
“Located in the beautiful county of Carmarthenshire, Parc Cerrig is conveniently close to Swansea, Llanelli, the M4, and several coastal towns and their wonderful beaches.
“As we approach the end of our time here, we encouraging potential buyers to act swiftly and secure their dream home in this delightful part of the country.”
Business
Welsh business activity sees renewed expansion in January

Output increases for the first time since August 2024
BUSINSESS activity in Wales experienced renewed growth at the start of 2025, according to the latest Cymru Growth Tracker data from NatWest. The findings indicate a fresh rise in output, with business confidence remaining positive as companies entered the new trading year.
The Wales Business Activity Index—a seasonally adjusted measure of month-on-month changes in output across the manufacturing and service sectors—rose to 50.7 in January. This marked a third consecutive monthly increase and the first expansion in activity since August 2024. The figure was up from 48.9 in December, signalling a marginal improvement in business performance.
Business confidence remained strong, while the decline in employment and backlog levels eased. However, inflationary pressures intensified, with costs and charges rising at historically high rates. Firms sought to pass these costs on to customers, resulting in the sharpest increase in selling prices in ten months.
Economic trends and business confidence
Jessica Shipman, Chair of the NatWest Cymru Regional Board, commented: “January data saw a return to output growth at Welsh businesses, with improvements in the sales environment in specific sectors driving expansion. Firms remained cautious about employment but were confident that demand conditions would improve as the year progressed.
“Although cost burdens remained elevated compared to historical trends, Wales recorded the slowest rise in input prices of the 12 monitored UK regions. However, output charges continued to increase, approaching the UK average, as businesses sought to protect their profit margins.
“The Bank of England’s recent interest rate cut has made monetary policy less restrictive, with further easing expected later in the year.”
Comparison with UK trends
Welsh business activity mirrored UK-wide trends, which saw overall expansion in January. However, only four of the 12 monitored UK regions—London, the North East, the South West, and Wales—registered an upturn in activity. Some firms noted increased demand in specific sectors, though the broader sales environment remained subdued.
While new orders in Wales continued to contract, the rate of decline was weaker than the UK average. Of the ten UK regions reporting lower sales, Wales recorded the slowest decline.
Despite these challenges, business sentiment remained positive, with firms anticipating stronger economic conditions and planned capacity expansions. Of the 12 monitored regions, only the North East, Scotland, and Northern Ireland reported weaker optimism.
Employment and inflationary pressures
Welsh private sector firms reported a fifth consecutive monthly decline in workforce numbers in January. While job losses eased, Wales still experienced one of the sharpest reductions in employment among UK regions, with only the East of England and the West Midlands seeing steeper cuts.
Backlogs of work continued to decline, though at a slower pace than previous months. Firms attributed this to lower new orders, allowing them to process outstanding business more efficiently. The rate of backlog reduction remained quicker than both the UK and long-term series averages.
Meanwhile, input prices surged at the fastest rate since April 2024 due to unfavourable exchange rate movements, rising labour costs, and increased supplier prices. However, Wales recorded the slowest rate of cost inflation among the 12 UK regions.
Output prices followed a different trend, with Welsh firms passing higher costs on to customers at a faster rate. Scotland and Northern Ireland were the only UK regions to report a slower rise in selling prices.
Business
Digital Marketing Challenges for Rural Welsh Businesses

Digital marketing is a must-do for businesses looking to grow, connect with customers, and stay competitive. But for rural Welsh businesses, it’s not always straightforward. Patchy internet, stiff competition from city-based brands, and the struggle to get noticed online mean that rural businesses have to think outside the box to build and maintain a strong digital presence.
Competing with Larger Companies
Smaller rural businesses often struggle to compete with national and international brands that have significantly larger marketing budgets. These larger companies dominate search engine rankings and online advertising, making it difficult for small businesses to get noticed.
To counteract this, many rural Welsh businesses can focus on hyper-local SEO and community-driven digital marketing strategies. By optimising their websites for location-based searches and using Google My Business effectively, they can improve their visibility for customers searching for products and services nearby.
Additionally, following marketing news, engaging with local influencers, using targeted social media advertising, and leveraging user-generated content helps build an authentic online presence that resonates with their audience.
Connectivity Barriers
One of the most significant challenges for rural businesses is poor broadband connectivity. While the Welsh Government has invested in improving digital infrastructure, many areas still struggle with slow or unreliable internet speeds. This can make it difficult to maintain an e-commerce platform, update social media, or engage with customers through digital channels.
To overcome these limitations, some businesses are turning to alternative solutions such as satellite broadband or mobile data hotspots. Providers like Starlink are offering high-speed internet access in remote locations, helping businesses stay connected.
However, these solutions also come with challenges, including high costs, latency issues, and weather-related disruptions. Mobile hotspots rely on strong network coverage, which can be inconsistent in rural areas. This leaves many businesses back on square one.
Looking Ahead
Rural Welsh businesses are embracing digital innovation to overcome challenges and thrive online. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have become essential for engaging customers and showcasing products and services, while e-commerce solutions enable them to expand beyond local markets.
Many businesses are also strengthening their online identity by securing .cymru and .wales domains, reinforcing their Welsh credentials and boosting local visibility.
Despite the challenges, rural Welsh businesses are finding clever ways to thrive online. From tapping into alternative internet solutions to fine-tuning their local SEO and embracing digital marketing, they’re making their mark in the digital world. And with broadband infrastructure continuing to improve, the playing field is becoming even for many rural Welsh businesses.
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