MINISTERS have announced plans to speed up reforms aimed at helping high street businesses compete with online retailers and overseas sellers.

The Treasury said changes to low-value imports will now be brought forward by six months, with customs duty relief on goods worth £135 or less set to be scrapped from October 2028.

The move is designed to stop online retailers gaining an unfair advantage over shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and other high street businesses.

At present, many cheaper imported goods can enter the UK without customs duty, a system which ministers say has left traditional retailers at a disadvantage.

The Government is also reviewing how VAT is collected from businesses trading through online marketplaces, amid concerns that some sellers are failing to pay the tax they owe.

The Treasury said revenue raised from tougher VAT enforcement would be used to help improve the business rates system for high street firms.

Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “This action tackles the unfair competition and dodgy businesses that are doing real damage to our high streets.

“And by making sure that tax is paid when it’s owed, we can raise revenue to put back into improvements to the business rates system for pubs, restaurants, hotels and other high street businesses.”

The package also includes a consultation on VAT reform for land used in new social housing developments.

Ministers say the change could help speed up the delivery of affordable homes by making the tax system better reflect how social housing schemes are developed.

The Treasury said the measures form part of wider plans to make the UK tax and customs system simpler, fairer and more focused on economic growth.

AMENDED plans for a rural mid Pembrokeshire slurry lagoon have been given the go-ahead after an initial scheme was altered due to the presence of mine workings.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Owen Thomas, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought permission for the excavation of an earth bank nutrient ‘slurry lagoon’ store of 60 by 48 metres near to New House Farm, some one kilometre from the village of Cresselly.

A supporting statement said: “The dairy farming operation at New House Farm covers approximately 290 hectares of mixed tenure land with the herd comprising of 250 milking cows, which have a yield of between 6-9 thousand litres per cow and associated youngstock.”

It added: “The current slurry storage arrangements at New House are insufficient based on the livestock numbers to accommodate a five-month slurry storage capacity. The purpose of the proposal is to increase the slurry and dirty water storage capacity for the farming enterprise to be compliant with the control of Agricultural Pollution (Wales) Regulations 2021 (CoAPR) requirements.

“It is not the applicant’s intention to increase stock levels at the holding. The existing slurry store on the farmstead following the deduction of rainfall and freeboard has a capacity of 1,178 cubic metres.”

It said the required capacity would be 5,481 cubic metres over a five-month period, leading to a current shortfall of 4,303 cubic metres, which the proposal would address.

It added: “A further environmental benefit bought by the development is the nutrient store would allow the spreading of nutrients during suitable weather conditions, rather than needing to be disposed of in unfavourable weather conditions.”

Local community council Jeffreyston raised no objections but noted concerns about its size, although recognising the development is required to meet legislation, requesting all appropriate mitigation measures would be explored and implemented.

The Coal Authority objected to the original proposed location, owing to the presence of a recorded mine shaft and associated zone of influence, leading to an amended scheme moving the store some 150 metres.

An officer report recommending approval for the amended scheme said: “The principle of the development is considered acceptable, given its direct functional relationship with the agricultural enterprise and the demonstrated operational need for additional storage capacity.

“The proposal would remain closely associated with the existing farm holding and would not result in the introduction of an unrelated use within the countryside.”

It added: “The proposal would improve slurry management arrangements at the holding and assist in reducing the risk of pollution incidents associated with insufficient storage capacity.”

The application was conditionally approved.

ACTIVATE WEST WALES, which drives sports and wellbeing collaboration across Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, has appointed Marie Sture as its new Business Manager.

Marie brings more than 10 years’ experience across the Pembrokeshire countryside, conservation, and visitor experience sectors, having worked with organisations including the National Trust, Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Her work background spans operational support, compliance, health and safety, finance and stakeholder engagement, alongside experience contributing to senior leadership and regional working groups.

Marie joins the Activate West Wales team, which is working closely with local authorities, health boards and wider sector partners to encourage cross-sector cooperation, to increase engagement in sport, physical activity and active recreation so that it can become part of normal everyday life for everyone nearly four months since it released its State of the Region report, which gave an insight into the sports participation in the region.

Marie, a native of Pembroke Dock, will play a key role in advancing Activate West Wales’ ambition to create healthier, happier communities across the region, regardless of age, background or ability.

On her appointment Marie said “I’m delighted to begin working with a team that is so committed to making a positive difference to people’s lives. Throughout my career across the conservation and visitor experience sectors, I’ve developed a strong passion for creating opportunities that support people’s wellbeing. I’m really looking forward to bringing that experience into this role and working with partners to help build healthier, more active communities across West Wales.”

Marie adds: “Spending time away from screens and being active can be incredibly rewarding. I love getting out with my children and supporting them to take part in sport, it’s been amazing to see how it’s boosted their confidence and helped develop their social skills. Even simple activities like this can bring a real sense of happiness and are so important for overall wellbeing.”

Jamie Rewbridge, CEO of Activate West Wales, said on Marie’s appointment: “We’re delighted to welcome Marie to Activate West Wales. She brings a wealth of experience working with local communities and partners, and we’re confident she will make a significant contribution to our efforts of making physical activity part of everyday life, for everyone across West Wales. Her appointment strengthens our ability to support healthier, happier communities across the region.”