THE UK GOVERNMENT has announced a further investment in Project Gigabit, aiming to deliver high-speed broadband to hard-to-reach areas across Britain. Rural towns and villages in South West Wales are among the latest to benefit, as part of a wider effort to achieve near-total gigabit coverage by 2030.

The programme, a key pillar of the Government’s Plan for Change, is designed to stimulate economic growth and remove barriers to opportunity. The latest rollout will bring some of the fastest broadband speeds available to remote communities, enhancing access to essential services such as healthcare, remote education, and video communication. It is also expected to support business growth and improve job opportunities for young people.

Welsh leaders welcome investment

Cllr Hazel Evans, of Carmarthenshire County Council, welcomed the announcement, saying: “This is a much-needed boost as we strive to improve digital connectivity across Carmarthenshire. Further investment will help ensure our rural communities continue to prosper as we transition towards a more digital society.”

Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council and Chair of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s joint committee, also praised the initiative:

“This is fantastic news for the rural communities in our region. The Swansea Bay City Deal fully supports initiatives that improve the lives of people and businesses. This investment in digital infrastructure will create social and economic opportunities for communities that would otherwise be left behind.”

£289 million boost for broadband expansion

The announcement forms part of four new contracts worth over £289 million, aimed at delivering gigabit-capable broadband to approximately 131,000 homes and businesses across England and Wales.

Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections provide faster and more reliable service, even during peak times. Households and businesses will no longer need to compete for bandwidth, as these high-speed networks allow multiple devices to operate seamlessly.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens highlighted the significance of the investment: “Powered by this UK Government funding, thousands more people and businesses across Wales will gain access to ultra-fast broadband. Our priority is to drive sustained economic growth, and to achieve this, we must ensure every part of Wales has full digital coverage as quickly as possible.”

Implementation and next steps

The Digital Infrastructure Programme is working closely with Building Digital UK (BDUK) and Openreach to deliver Project Gigabit. Further regional updates are expected in the coming months, outlining timeframes and specific locations set to benefit.

Upgrading and expanding existing networks is a complex process, requiring technical surveys and coordination between commercial providers and local authorities, including planning and highways departments. As a result, implementing gigabit-capable broadband can take time.

For further details about broadband plans in your area, residents are encouraged to contact their Digital Champion for more information.

A FAST-GROWING food wholesale company has stepped in to support customers after the retirement of a couple who ran a rival business for more than 30 years.

Josiah and Steffi George, who operated Pembrokeshire Foods at Hasguard Cross, near Haverfordwest, decided to retire and ensure their loyal customers would be well cared for. The couple approached Harlech Foodservice, which will now supply more than 100 businesses across Pembrokeshire and into Ceredigion.

Last year, Harlech Foodservice expanded significantly, establishing offices and a distribution centre in Carmarthen as part of a £6 million investment. This growth has already created 70 new jobs, 15 of which are in South West Wales.

This isn’t Harlech’s first move into the area; the company previously acquired Celtic Foodservices in Pembroke Dock, describing the acquisition as a “perfect fit.”

In a letter to customers, Mr. and Mrs. George explained their decision:
“To ensure our customers have a supplier who cares about you and your business, we have approached Harlech Foodservice, who recently opened a site in Carmarthen, and asked them to provide ongoing service to your business.

“Harlech have a core customer base in the tourism and hospitality sectors, aligning perfectly with Pembrokeshire Foods. They offer a large range of around 5,000 lines across frozen foods, butchery, groceries, soft drinks, snacks, hygiene products, and disposables, all at genuinely competitive prices.

“Once again, thank you for supporting us over many years, and we wish you every success in the future.”

Harlech Managing Director David Cattrall called the partnership with Pembrokeshire Foods a significant step in the company’s ongoing expansion.

Since last April, Harlech has gained 943 new independent customers and 243 new contract customers across Wales and the English border counties. The company’s clients range from individual businesses to large local authorities, including a contract to supply Shropshire Council’s Shire Services.

Harlech’s expansion into South and West Wales has also been fruitful, with the Carmarthen and Merthyr Tydfil depots winning contracts worth nearly £500,000.

Mr. Cattrall commented:
“Steffi and Josiah can be rightly proud of what they have achieved over the past three decades, building a successful company that has played a key role in the local business community.

“We are grateful for their trust in Harlech Foodservice to look after their customers and to ‘deliver’ for them in every sense of the word. We wish them all the best for their well-deserved retirement.”

Steffi George added:
“Harlech Foodservice are a fantastic company with a huge range of excellent products and first-class customer service, so we are confident that our beloved customers will be in very good hands in the future.”

Caption:
Stepping into the breach: Harlech Foodservice Managing Director David Cattrall.

SIR ROBERT MCALPINE has been named as the main works contractor by Tata Steel for its £1.25 billion investment in low-carbon ‘green’ steelmaking at Port Talbot steelworks. The project marks a major step in Tata Steel UK’s goal of decarbonising steel production.

The construction will focus on a state-of-the-art electric arc furnace (EAF)-based steel production facility capable of producing approximately three million tonnes of steel annually. The works include building a new EAF, ladle furnaces, and associated infrastructure within the existing Basic Oxygen Steelmaking (BOS) plant and surrounding areas.

This ambitious initiative, aimed at securing a sustainable future for UK steelmaking, represents a significant transformation for Port Talbot. It aligns with Tata Steel’s commitment to achieving net zero goals. Enabling works will begin in early 2025, with the main civil, structural, and building works set to start in Q3 2025, pending planning approval. The project is expected to take three years to complete.

Upskilling the workforce and supporting local communities
Beyond technology, the project emphasises investing in people. Resources will be dedicated to training and upskilling the workforce in EAF technology. The initiative is set to strengthen Port Talbot’s position as a hub for low-carbon steel production.

Sir Robert McAlpine has been collaborating with Tata Steel UK since September 2022, conducting feasibility studies for the facility. The contractor brings decades of experience in industrial construction, having worked on various parts of the Port Talbot steelworks over the past 70 years.

Craig Allen, Managing Director, Industrial, at Sir Robert McAlpine, expressed pride in contributing to this landmark transformation:
“We are proud to be part of the decarbonisation of Port Talbot steelworks, which will play a pivotal role in turning the Port Talbot site into a world-leading hub for sustainable steel production. Our robust relationship with Tata Steel UK and long-standing industrial expertise make us the ideal partner for this transformation. We look forward to working collaboratively, as part of a fully integrated project team, to deliver the project successfully.”

Commitment to regional impact and sustainability
The project also promises to positively impact the region. Sir Robert McAlpine and Tata Steel UK will collaborate with local educational institutions to support training and skills development while fostering relationships with supply chain partners to ensure project delivery.

Peter Jones, Tata Steel’s EAF Project Lead, highlighted the significance of this partnership:
“We’re delighted to confirm the appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine to support us on this once-in-a-generation investment project. Our new arc furnace will be one of the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the world, so it is important that we work with highly skilled and experienced partners to ensure its success. We have a longstanding and trusted collaborative relationship with Sir Robert McAlpine, so are confident they are the right partner for us in the project.”

The transition to an electric arc furnace at Port Talbot steelworks is expected to result in significant job reductions. Tata Steel is cutting approximately 2,800 positions across its UK operations, with the majority of these losses occurring at the Port Talbot site.

This decision follows the closure of the plant’s two blast furnaces, which are being replaced by the new electric arc furnace.

Trade unions have expressed strong opposition to the job cuts. Unite, one of the leading unions, has planned industrial action in response to the proposed redundancies. The union has criticized Tata Steel’s decision, arguing that it threatens the livelihoods of thousands of workers and undermines the local economy.

Political figures have also weighed in on the issue. Keir Starmer previously stated his commitment to “fight for every single job and fight for the future of steel in Wales.”

Last year he called on Tata Steel to halt the planned closures and engage in discussions to explore alternatives that would protect jobs and ensure the long-term viability of steelmaking in the region.

The UK government has now agreed to provide £500 million in support to assist Tata Steel’s transition to greener production methods. Despite this financial aid, the company has indicated that the job cuts are necessary due to the reduced labor requirements of the new electric arc furnace technology.

The situation remains a point of contention among stakeholders, with ongoing discussions about balancing environmental objectives with economic and social impacts.

This monumental project signifies a new chapter for UK steelmaking and strengthens Port Talbot’s role as a global leader in sustainable steel production.