Business

Welsh employers still hiring

Published

12 years ago

June 23, 2014

THE EMPLOYMENT outlook in Wales has fallen but employers are still planning to hire, with an outlook of +4%, according to Manpower, the global leader in contingent and permanent recruitment workforce solutions. This is a drop from last quarter’s Outlook of +12% but still demonstrates a healthy level of confidence in the Welsh jobs market.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is based on responses from 2,101 UK employers. It asks whether employers intend to hire additional workers or reduce the size of their workforce in the coming quarter. It is the most comprehensive, forwardlooking employment survey of its kind and is used as a key economic statistic by both the Bank of England and the UK government. The national Seasonally Adjusted Net Employment Outlook of +8% indicates that the jobs market is up on the second quarter of 2014 when the Outlook was +7%. “Although the Outlook in Wales is down this quarter, there is still a lot of opportunity in the market, especially for candidates with in-demand skills”, says Andrew Shellard, Operations Manager at Manpower. “A number of clients are looking for candidates with legal experience, particularly solicitors and legal secretaries. Specialist scientific and engineering companies are also finding that candidates with science and technology experience are in short supply. “We have noticed more demand for catering staff, and whilst these skills are readily available, there is a high turnover as the roles are often part-time making it difficult to retain staff looking to work more hours. Retention is also an issue in some of the call centres in Cardiff, where experienced and good quality customer service and sales people are needed and so companies are constantly advertising and trying to attract new staff. “The picture by city is mixed, with Cardiff demonstrating a real improvement over the last three months, with the number of people out of work falling by 5% and signs that we will see further improvements this year, especially with the number of vacancies being advertised online increasing recently. There is considerably more opportunity in Cardiff than in Newport with Cardiff also offering more variety whereas the dominant industry in Newport is manufacturing. The Welsh Assembly is attracting new businesses to the Cardiff Enterprise Zone by offering rate relief, tax breaks and significant funding. The demand for candidates has increased in Swansea but we are still attracting a large response to advertised jobs, which shows us that for all the increase in the number of roles, there is an even greater increase in the volume of candidates competing for those roles. “One key trend we have seen this quarter is that employers now understand the importance of Social Media and want support and advice so they can improve their understanding. Most companies we have spoken with want a Social Media guide and we have helped provide this during a recent Social Media-focused campaign.” Going into the third quarter of 2014, there is optimism across all of the UK’s regions with the exception of Northern Ireland (-5%). It is the only region expecting to shed jobs in the next three months. The South West tops the regional table, improving strongly to +15%, while the East of England isn’t far behind on +12%. The East Midlands (+11%), the South East (+9%) and the West Midlands (+9%) all exceed the national average, while Yorkshire and Humberside is in line with the national picture at +8%. Below the national average, but still showing positive hiring intentions are the North West (+7%), the North East (+6%) and London (+1%). “From a national perspective, consistency has been the byword for the UK’s Employment Outlook over the last eighteen months. While job prospects have been strong, it’s only now that we’re seeing a return to prerecession hiring plans. What’s more, we’re seeing broad-based growth across permanent roles, the selfemployed and contractors,” said Mark Cahill, ManpowerGroup UK Managing Director.

Business

Tenby sailing club works approved by national park

Published

8 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for works to Tenby’s listed building sailing club to improve energy efficiency for the community organisation has been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Harrison Richards of Tenby Sailing Club sought permission for replacing 24 timber windows at the Grade-II-listed Tenby Sailing Club, Penniless Cove Hill, with new Accoya timber double-glazed units.

The application added: “An energy survey conducted by Dragon Energy Consultants highlighted the existing single glazing and rotten window frames as a significant contributor to the club’s energy consumption.

“Tenby Sailing Club is a community organisation which seeks to organise activities year-round but faces significant energy costs being housed in a historic building. The current windows are beyond repair, with cracked glazing, decay, water ingress, and poor energy efficiency.

“The two windows at balcony level are not included, as they were previously replaced and remain in good condition. All new units will replicate the existing profiles, dimensions, glazing patterns, and overall appearance, ensuring no visual change to the building’s character.

“The neighbouring three-storey harbour stores occupied by Tenby Sea Cadets have previously replaced the building’s windows with double glazing. This like-for-like replacement in appearance will improve durability, weather resistance, and thermal performance while preserving the special architectural and historic interest of the listed building.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “The Sailing Club was built as a warehouse c. 1825, abutting the C17 sluice. Originally wine stores, it was later used by the local fishermen for stores and is now the home to Tenby Sailing Club, established in 1936.”

It said no adverse comments to the proposals had been received.

It added: “The proposal is to replace the majority (24 total) of windows in painted timber, double-glazed with face-mounted glazing bars of traditional scale and profile. Whilst a modern practice of glazing, the proposal involves no loss of historic fabric, provides an obvious visual improvement and addresses concerns as to heating costs.”

It finished: “The scheme is considered to be in keeping with the character of the listed building, and its setting in terms of design and form. As such, the application can be supported subject to conditions.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

Business

Taxi fare shock in Milford Haven as drivers switch to meters

Published

13 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TAXI passengers in Milford Haven are facing a sudden jump in fares, as drivers increasingly switch on their meters and charge full council-approved rates.

One Herald reader said a short return trip from Milford Haven to Neyland cost £30 — around double what he expected to pay.

But drivers insist the prices are not new — they are simply the official tariff now being applied.

Under Pembrokeshire County Council rules, the standard daytime fare starts at £4 for the first mile (£5 after 6pm), rising by around £3 per mile thereafter. Waiting time is also charged, meaning even short return journeys can quickly add up.

Higher rates apply in the evenings, at weekends and on bank holidays.

End of the £3 taxi

Milford Haven has long been known for cheap taxis, with short in-town journeys often costing as little as £3 — far below official rates.

That was down to competition, older vehicles, and the need to keep prices low in a town where many rely on affordable transport.

Drivers say those days are now over.

One local driver told The Herald: “People got used to cheap fares, but that was never the real price. Now we have to use the meter or we’re losing money.”

Fuel costs biting

Most taxis run on diesel, now around 170p per litre locally. For drivers covering long distances each day, the increase has hit hard.

Global tensions in the Middle East have pushed up oil prices, feeding directly into higher fuel costs in the UK.

With fare increases requiring a lengthy council process, many drivers say they have no option but to charge the full tariff.

Vulnerable hit hardest

The change is being felt most by those who rely on taxis the most.

Elderly residents, people on low incomes and those without access to a car are now facing higher everyday travel costs.

There has been no recent increase in Pembrokeshire’s official taxi fares, which have remained broadly unchanged since 2022.

The difference is simple: drivers are now charging them.

As one put it: “We’re not putting prices up — we’re just finally charging what we’re supposed to be charging.”

Business

Cardiff Airport expects Easter passenger surge as demand rises

Published

15 hours ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CARDIFF AIRPORT is preparing for a busy Easter getaway, with more than 46,000 passengers expected to travel through the airport over the holiday period.

The figure represents an 18% increase compared to the same period last year, reflecting growing demand for both sunshine destinations and European city breaks.

The busiest routes this Easter are set to be Alicante, Dublin and Málaga, with flights operated by airlines including Ryanair, Vueling and TUI Airways.

Travellers heading for warmer weather can also take advantage of direct flights to the Canary Islands, including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, alongside popular destinations such as Faro and Palma.

The airport says the increase builds on a strong start to 2026, with passenger numbers continuing to rise.

Chief executive Jon Bridge said the airport is approaching the one million passenger mark and expects the summer season to be its busiest since the pandemic.

He said: “It’s been an incredibly positive start to the year, and we’re looking forward to welcoming more passengers over the Easter period.

“Our teams are working hard to ensure travellers can start their holidays smoothly.”

Passengers travelling over Easter are being advised to allow extra time for their journey and check with airlines for the latest updates.

A total of 46,158 passengers are expected to pass through the airport between March 27 and April 12, with arrivals and departures almost evenly split.

Cardiff Airport said it continues to expand its range of destinations, including the addition of a direct service to Toronto, as it looks to strengthen its role in connecting Wales to international travel.