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11 results

person working in shop selling Christmas goods
In 2024 to 2025 HMRC identified wage arrears of £5.8 million due to 25,200 underpaid UK workers and issued around 750 penalties totalling £4.2 million to non-compliant employers. Temporary seasonal staff are legally entitled to receive at least the same minimum pay rates as other workers. The National Minimum Wage hourly rates are currently: £12.21 - Age 21 and over (National Living Wage) £10.00 - Age 18 to 20 £7.55 - Age under 18 £7.55...
First published
18 December 2025
Last updated
18 December 2025
Transport sign for disabled people
The Welsh Government has published its Disabled People's Rights Plan, a 10-year commitment to making sure disabled people can participate fully and equally in every part of life in Wales. The plan sets out practical actions and long-term goals to tackle barriers across employment, transport, education, healthcare, housing, independent living, digital access, and public services. Shaped from the outset by people with lived experience and expertise through the work of the Disability Rights Taskforce, the...
First published
18 December 2025
Last updated
18 December 2025
International people
Every year on 18 December, the world marks International Migrants Day, a day set aside to recognise the important contribution of migrants while highlighting the challenges they face. Migration has always been a vital and enriching part of societies, contributing to the strength and resilience of populations and fostering a well-being-centred economy for all. This year’s theme, ‘My Great Story: Cultures and Development’, highlights how human mobility drives growth, enriches societies, and helps communities connect...
First published
18 December 2025
Last updated
18 December 2025
The Goodwash Company Mandy Powell
Barry-based brand expands trade partnerships with premium hotels and signs with Castell Howell for UK-wide distribution, supported by the Business Wales Accelerated Growth Programme Barry-based The Goodwash Company has achieved 18% growth in online sales this year, driven by a surge in website orders and new trade partnerships with premium hospitality clients across Wales and the UK. The ethical skincare brand, which creates luxury vegan and cruelty-free products, has secured a landmark distribution agreement with...
First published
17 December 2025
Last updated
17 December 2025
Volunteers in a kitchen at Christmas
We all experience loneliness from time to time. But while the festive season can be a time of joy and connection, it can sometimes also have the opposite effect, making us feel lonely and disconnected. Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year, another holiday, or none, find tips on how to cope and ways to support someone else: Coping with loneliness during the festive season | Mental Health Foundation Christmas and mental health - Mind...
First published
17 December 2025
Last updated
17 December 2025
Energy efficiency
Small businesses across the UK will benefit from new UK Government funding and support to help them invest in sustainability, to cut their operating costs and boost their business. This includes an additional £2 million in funding via the ‘Made Smarter Adoption Programme’ specifically to help SMEs lower their bills and become more energy efficient through investment in technology in areas like heating, insulation and solar power. This forms part of the UK Government’s response...
First published
17 December 2025
Last updated
17 December 2025
Christmas tree with gift bag - Welsh Flag
With 2026 on the horizon, why not make a pledge to Welshify your business for the year ahead? Using Welsh is a great way to strengthen your brand, connect with customers, and show commitment to our culture. Increasing your use of the Welsh language will help you to provide a better service and there are resources available to help you: Good Practices: Running a Business through the Medium of Welsh | Business Wales and Welsh...
First published
17 December 2025
Last updated
17 December 2025
Employer looking at a digital device
If you’re an employer and want someone to work for you from outside the UK you’ll usually need a sponsor licence for their employment, this includes unpaid work, like running a charity. Sponsoring someone does not guarantee that they’ll get a visa to work for you in the UK. You might have to pay an additional charge when you assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to someone applying for a Skilled Worker or Senior or...
First published
16 December 2025
Last updated
16 December 2025
female apprentice
Almost one million young people across the UK will benefit from learning or employment opportunities as a result of a £820 million funding package the UK Government have announced. 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities in sectors including construction, health and social care and hospitality will be provided to young people on Universal Credit to help them develop on the job skills, employer networks, and CV and interview coaching. They will be referred to one...
First published
16 December 2025
Last updated
16 December 2025
Planning, architect
The process introduced by The Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 applies to large scale infrastructure developments, including renewable energy, waste, water, and transport projects. It replaces the Developments of National Significance and other existing consenting programmes. Earlier this year hyperscale data centre operator Vantage, which is investing billions in the Welsh economy by building new data centres, was impressed with the speed of the planning application process for its plans to build on the old Ford...
First published
16 December 2025
Last updated
16 December 2025

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