News
‘Brexit Dividend’ could mean Wales is half a billion pounds better off
WALES could be half a billion pounds a year better off outside the European Union, said senior Vote Leave Wales figures in a press release today (Jun 21).
Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, and Vote Leave campaigner – Andrew RT Davies – said that the additional money would enable Wales to spend more on public services like the Welsh NHS, and argued that Wales’ poorest regions would receive more funding outside the EU.
UKIP Leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, said that successive Welsh Governments had “failed the poorest parts of Wales” and that leaving the EU would be “transformational”.
The Figures Explained
The Office for Budget Responsibility has reported a £9.8 billion net UK contribution to the EU in the last year for which final figures are available (2014).
Senior Vote Leave figures – including Michael Gove, Boris Johnson and Gisela Stuart – last week offered unconditional guarantees that the UK Government would honour existing EU funding commitments across the UK, up to the end of the current cycle in 2020.
With the UK Government maintaining current levels of support for things like farming and regeneration funds, Wales would also be in line to receive its share of any additional expenditure by the UK Government out of the £9.8 billion ‘Brexit Dividend’; potentially as much as £490 million a year based on figures for 2014.
Andrew RT Davies told The Herald: “Wales could be as much as half a billion pounds a year better off if the UK votes to leave the European Union on Thursday.
“The UK is a massive net contributor to the EU and Wales would be entitled, under the Barnett Formula, to its share of that £9.8 billion Brexit Dividend. No ifs, no buts.
“It is worth remembering that only the poorest parts of Europe qualify for structural funds, which are actually paid for out of UK tax receipts, and it is a stain on the Welsh Government that successive rounds have failed to deliver prosperity for the poorest parts of Wales – particularly in the South Wales Valleys.
“Senior Government Ministers have already pledged to maintain existing EU funding if we Vote to Leave, but the additional funding that Wales could receive would be a huge boost and could enable the Welsh Government to put extra money into local services such as the Welsh NHS.”
UKIP Leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, said: “This is yet more evidence that Wales would be better off outside the EU.
“Successive Welsh Governments have failed the poorest parts of Wales, and the extra money we would be entitled to if we Vote to Leave the EU would be transformational for those areas.
“The real danger clearly lies in voting to remain, where unelected EU leaders have imposed damaging cuts to regions across the European Union.”
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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