October 2021 News and Blogs

First Minister Mark Drakeford will today [Friday 29 October 2021] say alert level zero protective measures will be strengthened to keep people safe and help reduce high levels of coronavirus in Wales. The First Minister will say Wales is facing a serious situation and that unless rates begin to fall over the next three weeks, Ministers will have to consider reintroducing some restrictions at the next review to bring the spread of the virus under...

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £8 million for projects to work on the development of the digital security by design (DSbD) software ecosystem. This funding is from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. The aim of this competition is to fund a range of projects that work to enrich and expand the Digital Security by Design (DSbD) software ecosystem prior to the availability of commercial hardware. Projects will leverage the...

Fundraise for a charity you love through your Christmas sales. The festive season is an exciting time! Not only is it peak selling time for businesses but it is also the season of goodwill. This is the perfect time for your small business to connect with your community and make a real difference and ‘Work for Good’ have a match funding pot of £50,000 to help you make an even bigger impact! Get involved in...

Inspired by global expertise in the climatic, technological and social conditions of the next thirty years, communities across Wales have been exploring the possibilities of Wales in 2052, creating a ‘story-world’ for a major cultural event in September 2022. The story world of 2052 will form the basis of GALWAD: a new kind of multi-platform, multi-lingual story that will unfold across TV drama, digital platforms and live events for a week in September 2022. Inspired...

The UK Government has published its Autumn Budget, here are some key points: from April 2022 the National Living Wage will increase from £8.91 an hour to £9.50 fuel duty will remain frozen for a 12th year a 5% tax cut on draft beer and cider served from containers over 40 litres flights between airports in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be subject to a new reduced rate of Air Passenger Duty from...

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is a collection of tens of thousands of events, activities and competitions each November that inspire millions to explore their potential as an entrepreneur while fostering connections with investors, researchers, policymakers and other startup champions. This year’s takes place from 8 November to 14 November 2021. For further information please visit the GEW website.

This UK Government consultation, which applies to Wales, Scotland and England, seeks views from individuals and businesses on proposals to reform flexible working regulations. Flexible working can be particularly valuable for those who need to balance their personal lives with their working lives, including those with caring responsibilities. It can also bring benefits to employers – attracting more applicants and increasing productivity and motivation levels among staff. In 2003, legislation came into force which provided...

The coronavirus pandemic has had significant consequences for every aspect of our daily lives, but the world of work in particular has been turned utterly upside down. With mass redundancies, extended furlough periods, and a looming sense of uncertainty, large swathes of the UK workforce have opted to take their careers into their own hands and learn a trade. Over the past year or so, I’ve met people from all walks of life—including chefs, taxi...

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced people all over the world to find new ways of both living and working. Working from home - once a perk to which only a small percentage of workers were entitled - has become a necessity, with many organisations now planning to stick with some version of remote working even when lockdowns are a thing of the past. Working from home comes with a number of freedoms and benefits. Home...

COP Cymru is a series of events that provide an opportunity for stakeholders and everyone in Wales to engage in important conversations about climate change through: the launch of the new Net Zero Wales Plan on 28 October where Ministers will set out the next stage in our pathway (2021 to 2025) to net zero by 2050. four Regional Roadshow events across Wales (between 4 and 10 November) highlighting examples of best practice and allowing...