News

Union says Ledwood is ‘worst employer’ during Covid-19 pandemic

Published

6 years ago

April 15, 2020

A PEMBROKESHIRE based engineering company has been branded the “worst employer” in their response amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The GMB Union, which represents over 620,000 workers nationally, has hit out at Ledwood Mechanical Engineering, based in Pembroke Dock, at their handling of employees rights during the Covid-19 crisis.

Managing Director, Nick Revell, has hit back at what he calls ‘unfounded comments.’

The firm, which has been a longstanding employer within the county, contacted their employees on Wednesday (April 8) by email to inform them there was no requirement for staff to sign furlough agreements, as they were covered by a layoff clause within their contract.
GMB have taken to their website to claim this clause “simply does not exist”.

Ledwood have committed to paying staff just 50% of their basic contracted hours as a furlough payment, with the promise to reimburse workers only if the company qualifies for the government support scheme.

In addition, during the first four days that workers were laid off, the company has informed staff they will only receive statutory guaranteed pay which amounts to just £29. GMB have stepped in to label this illegal with staff entitled to 100% pay.
GMB have reassured members that they will fight the management through the courts if needed, calling the changes illegal.
Jeff Beck, GMB regional organiser said: “We’ve been dealing with many companies across Pembrokeshire who are all responding to COVID-19, and without doubt Leadwood Engineering have been the worst.

“We’ve seen worker’s contracts and the layoff clause they claim to be using, simply does not exist.

“Whilst we all face uncertainty, the Governments rules are very clear that staff need to be consulted before their contracts are changed and Furloughed staff should be entitled to at least 80% of their pay.

“GMB members should have no doubt that we will fight any illegal deduction of wages all the way to the courts and recover the monies owed to them.”

MD Nick Revell said: “These are incredibly difficult times for everyone as we unite as a country to protect lives and livelihoods.

“Our absolute priority is the safety and welfare of our employees which is why we introduced safe working operations to comply with social distancing rules as quickly as possible. We are also doing our best to secure the long-term commercial viability of the business so that we can continue to employ as many people as possible. This is particularly important in an area like Pembrokeshire where employment opportunities are limited.

“That’s why we are doing all that we can, as quickly as we can to protect and support our employees including furloughing wherever possible. At all times, this has been and will continue to be in line with Government guidelines.

“It is therefore very disappointing that our trade union partners have chosen to make such unfair and unfounded comments. We had hoped that they would understand the commercial and economic reality of the impact that Covid-19 is having on our business and adopted a more supportive and collaborative approach to addressing the challenges together.”

Entertainment

Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod

Published

3 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.

Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.

She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.

Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.

Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.

Caption:

Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.

News

Rhun ap Iorwerth urges new deal for Wales after Starmer quits

Published

9 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

First Minister says next Prime Minister must focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for Wales’ democratic mandate

FIRST MINISTER Rhun ap Iorwerth has said the next UK Prime Minister must commit to a “new relationship with Wales” as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to leave office.

The Plaid Cymru leader said he wished Sir Keir well, but warned that political instability in Westminster was affecting the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with Number 10 on issues that matter to people in Wales.

***First Minister: Rhun ap Iorwerth says Wales needs greater powers, fair funding and respect from Westminster***

His comments came after Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer will remain in Downing Street until Labour selects a successor.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: “I am disappointed that the Welsh Government’s ability to engage with the UK Prime Minister on issues which matter to the people of Wales is being hampered by the turmoil in Westminster.

“I wish Sir Keir Starmer well as he prepares to leave office. I would like to see his successor recognising that Wales needs a new relationship with Westminster, with a focus on greater powers, fair funding, and respect for the democratic mandate delivered by the people of Wales.

“My government and I will always seek a constructive relationship with whoever is in Number 10, but we have clear expectations that the respect agenda must work both ways.”

In a shorter statement posted online, the First Minister added: “The next PM must commit to a new relationship with Wales — with a focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for our mandate.”

Labour’s National Executive Committee is expected to open nominations for the party leadership on July 9, with the process due to be completed before Parliament returns from its summer break in September if a contest is required.

Andy Burnham is widely expected to enter the race after returning to Parliament following his victory in the Makerfield by-election.

The change of leadership comes at a sensitive time for Wales, with questions over fair funding, the future of devolution, public services and the relationship between Cardiff Bay and Westminster likely to feature prominently in the weeks ahead.

News

Welsh Conservatives say Starmer resignation will not fix Labour’s failures

Published

30 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Darren Millar says Wales needs “tough decisions” as Labour prepares to choose a new Prime Minister

THE LEADER of the Welsh Conservatives has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation will not change the impact of Labour’s failures on Wales.

Darren Millar MS said replacing one Labour leader with another would not solve the problems facing families and businesses across the country.

His comments came after Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer will remain in office until Labour selects a successor, with Andy Burnham widely expected to enter the race.

***Darren Millar MS: Said replacing one Labour leader with another would not solve the problems facing the country***

The Welsh Conservatives said Wales was still facing the consequences of Labour decisions on the cost of living, energy, welfare and defence spending.

They said the focus should now be on “getting Britain working again” rather than simply changing the person leading the Labour Party.

Mr Millar said: “Sir Keir Starmer may be going, but Labour’s failures remain.

“The last thing Wales and the rest of the UK needs is another Labour leader who won’t stand up to Labour MPs on welfare, energy, defence spending and action on the cost of living.

“His decision is a reminder that Kemi Badenoch is the only leader of a political party in the UK with the backbone to make tough decisions and get Britain working again.”

The resignation has triggered a major political transition at Westminster.

For Wales, the change at No 10 comes at a time of growing political pressure over public services, household costs, economic growth and the future direction of the UK Government.

Welsh Labour figures are likely to face renewed scrutiny as opposition parties seek to link the party’s record in Westminster with its long period in power in Cardiff Bay.

The Conservatives are expected to argue that a change of Labour leader will not mean a change of policy unless the party changes direction.

Starmer said in his resignation speech that becoming Prime Minister had been the “proudest moment” of his life, but accepted that his party no longer believed he was best placed to lead it into the next general election.