Business

Wales ‘hurt hardest’ by Brexit trade barriers

Published

3 months ago

November 8, 2025

WALES has been “hurt hardest” by Brexit amid a “mess” of trade barriers, cultural blockades and a “fading” Welsh presence in EU relations, Senedd committees have warned.

Delyth Jewell led an “unprecedented” cross-committee inquiry which found “unanimous” agreement from witnesses that the UK-EU trade deal has not benefited Wales.

The Plaid Cymru politician warned the Welsh Government was not informed of UK priorities in advance, leaving Wales with a “diminishing voice” and no “seat at the table”.

Ms Jewell, who chairs the Senedd’s culture and international relations committee, criticised UK ministers for refusing to give evidence to the inquiry or share their EU priorities.

She told the Senedd: “This is a moment for ambition and for Wales not to be a mere passive observer in the processes that happen.

“We must take an active role in shaping outcomes that matter to our culture, our economy, our environment, our communities.”

Turning to the impact on culture, she said: “Touring artists, creative professionals and cultural organisations face barriers that were unimaginable before Brexit, barriers that restrict mobility, increase costs and diminish Wales’s cultural presence on the international stage.

“The evidence is stark – current arrangements for touring are described as unworkable.”

The debate heard the economic impact has been severe – with the EU remaining the biggest trading partner, accounting for 47% (or £17.6bn) of Wales’ total trade in goods.

Hannah Blythyn, for the economy committee, said 90% of businesses are still dealing with challenges, including increased bureaucracy, costs, time, and supply chain disruption.

The ex-minister said: “According to committee witnesses, processes cause extreme levels of cost, administration, complications and loss, intense annoyance, and are hugely frustrating.”

Ms Blythyn, who is the Labour Senedd Member for Delyn, criticised the Welsh Government for rejecting calls to produce its own detailed impact assessment of the trade agreement.

She pointed out that such documents had been produced for trade deals with “Wales’ smaller trading partners, but not its largest to date”.

Plaid Cymru MS Llyr Gruffydd — Plaid Cymru MS Llŷr Gruffydd

The report’s criticism was not limited to trade. Llŷr Gruffydd, chair of the climate committee, warned Wales has had a glaring environmental governance gap since the UK left the EU.

The Plaid Cymru politician expressed concerns about the UK-EU trade and cooperation agreement (TCA) containing no dedicated chapter on environment and climate cooperation.

Meanwhile, Mike Hedges – who chairs the Senedd’s legislation committee – sounded the alarm about Wales’ diminishing voice in UK-EU relations. He criticised ministers for “not stepping in” to support Welsh organisations’ involvement.

Mr Hedges told Senedd Members the Welsh Government has not published any Wales-specific information, advice nor guidance on the TCA since 2021.

“This is incredible,” he warned during Wednesday’s (November 5) debate. “It is one of the most significant international treaties that will ever be considered by the Senedd.”

His Labour colleague Alun Davies told the Senedd he could “think of no witness… who said that Brexit had benefited Wales,” adding he was “astonished” the Welsh Government “doesn’t seem to want to set real objectives for the future”.

The criticism was echoed by Adam Price, the former Plaid Cymru leader, who said: “If I can sum it up – we are in a mess, aren’t we?”

Raising the World Trade Organisation’s first post-Brexit review of trade, Mr Price warned Wales has been “hurt the hardest” due to a reliance on exports and smaller companies.

Conservative Gareth Davies was the only speaker to defend Brexit as he challenged the premise of the committees’ report. He flatly rejected the report’s framing, stating the “debate is over” and the task is to “make Brexit work for Wales, not to re-run the arguments of 2016”.

Responding to the debate, Labour’s Rebecca Evans said the Welsh Government was focused on ensuring Wales’ distinct priorities are represented in UK-EU talks.

Wales’ economy secretary welcomed a “new, more positive direction” in EU relations but insisted it remains “vital that the views of devolved nations are heard”.

Business

Councillor condemns closure of Haverfordwest Santander branch

Published

4 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has spoken out after learning that the Santander branch in Haverfordwest is set to close later this year, warning the decision will have a serious impact on local residents, families and businesses.

The bank’s Bridge Street branch is due to close on Monday (May 5) as part of a wider UK restructuring programme.

Councillor Thomas Baden Tudor said he was “lost for words” and urged the bank to reconsider, describing the closure as devastating for customers who rely on face-to-face services.

Santander says the decision is driven by declining footfall, with more customers banking online, and that services will remain available via digital platforms and Post Office counters.

However, the announcement follows a steady erosion of high-street banking in Pembrokeshire. The Herald recently reported that Haverfordwest’s former Halifax branch is set to reopen as a nail salon.

In what appears to be a serious failure of planning, there is now not a single bank branch left anywhere in south Pembrokeshire. Towns including Tenby, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock are all without face-to-face banking facilities.

North Pembrokeshire has also been affected, with Fishguard and St Davids now lacking bank branches.

Pembrokeshire is understood to be left with just four bank branches in total — Nationwide in Milford Haven, and HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds Bank in Haverfordwest.

Business

Bluestone celebrates King’s Award for Enterprise at official ceremony

Published

21 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire resort recognised as UK leader in sustainable tourism

BLUESTONE NATIONAL PARK RESORT has formally received The King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, marking a major milestone for the Pembrokeshire-based resort.

The prestigious honour — the UK’s highest business award — was presented during an official ceremony at Bluestone’s Serendome by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards. It recognises Bluestone as the first holiday resort in the country to receive the award for sustainable development.

During the visit, the Lord-Lieutenant met founder and chief executive William McNamara, director of sustainability Marten Lewis, staff members and invited guests, while also learning more about the resort’s long-term environmental strategy and its relationship with the local community.

The award follows an extensive assessment of Bluestone’s environmental, social and economic performance. Judges highlighted major progress in reducing carbon emissions, the resort’s move to a fossil-fuel-free operation for all purchased energy — a first for a UK holiday park — and its adoption of circular economy principles. Bluestone was also praised for its support for the local economy, its work to protect and enhance wildlife, and an internal culture where sustainability is shared across the organisation. Around thirty per cent of the business is staff-owned.

Speaking at the ceremony, Miss Edwards said: “It was a great pleasure to present Bluestone with The King’s Award for Enterprise and to see first-hand the work they are doing. The team’s passion for sustainability and their commitment to protecting the local area in Pembrokeshire shone through during my visit. Bluestone’s work is having a positive and lasting impact, and they should be extremely proud of what they have achieved.”

The recognition comes at a time when the tourism sector is under increasing pressure to balance growth with environmental protection, as travellers place greater emphasis on sustainable destinations.

Marten Lewis, who has led Bluestone’s sustainability strategy, has been central to developing what the resort describes as its “operational blueprint” — combining environmental protection, community partnerships and local economic support. He has also represented Bluestone nationally and was recently congratulated in person by King Charles III at a reception for King’s Award recipients.

Reflecting on the achievement, Mr Lewis said sustainability was fundamental to the way the resort operates. He added that the award recognised years of collective effort across the business and would act as a powerful incentive to continue pushing standards higher.

Chief executive William McNamara said the award reflected a long-standing commitment to responsible tourism. He said that as travel continues to evolve, businesses have a growing duty to protect the places people come to enjoy, adding that national recognition of Bluestone’s approach was a moment of pride for the entire team.

Formerly known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, the programme was renamed following the accession of King Charles III. Since its launch in 1965, more than 8,000 UK businesses have been recognised for outstanding achievement.

Business

Final wind turbine deliveries completed after months of disruption

Published

22 hours ago

January 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Last major component reaches site as Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thank communities for patience

DRAGON LNG and Dragon Energy have confirmed that the final large component for a new wind turbine project has now been successfully delivered, bringing months of complex abnormal load movements on Pembrokeshire roads to an end.

The companies said the final turbine blade was delivered to the site on Wednesday (Jan 28, 2026), marking the completion of all major component deliveries associated with the project.

In a statement, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thanked the local community for its patience and cooperation throughout the delivery programme, acknowledging that the operation caused disruption on local roads.

Residents across parts of the county have previously experienced temporary road closures, traffic delays and police escorts as oversized turbine components were transported from the Port of Milford Haven to the site under tightly controlled conditions.

The abnormal load movements required months of detailed planning and coordination, involving route surveys, traffic management, police support and liaison with local authorities to ensure deliveries were carried out safely and with minimal disruption wherever possible.

The companies also apologised for the inconvenience caused during the delivery phase, saying the support and understanding shown by residents had been “invaluable” in allowing the project to reach this milestone.

A number of organisations were involved in supporting the operation, including Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, haulage specialists Collett & Sons Ltd and Green Light Traffic Management.

Local media outlets, including The Pembrokeshire Herald, provided advance notice and updates during the delivery process to help keep residents informed.

With the final major deliveries now complete, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy said the project would continue to progress to the next phase of construction on site.