February 2023 News and Blogs

Economy Minister launches new plan to ensure today’s children and workers will have the skills required to work in the new jobs of tomorrow’s net zero economy. The Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, today (28 February 2023) published the Welsh Government’s Stronger, Fairer, Greener Wales: Net Zero Skills Plan. The plan recognises the importance of skills in supporting our net zero challenges, by equipping our current and future workforce with the right skills. Launching the new...

The Welsh Government has embarked on an ambitious cross sector project, in partnership with the Welsh Automotive Forum, to identify and map those companies in Wales that currently are, or could, operate in the new Net Zero Emissions Mobility market. Your company may already supply the net zero mobility market be it in Automobiles, Trains, Marine, Aerospace etc or have the capability, adaptability, and vision to change their process and participate in Net Zero Mobility...

Working together for better jobs, improved health and care services, a greener environment and a more prosperous economy are the missions at the heart of a new innovation strategy for Wales being launched today (27 February 2023) by the Welsh Government: New innovation strategy sets out aspiration for Wales to be a leading, innovation-based nation. Strategy focuses on ensuring innovative new technologies are developed to help solve the biggest challenges facing communities, ensuring those solutions...

Innovate UK is offering UK registered small and micro businesses a share of up to £20 million in grants. In addition to the grant support, you will be offered tailored business support delivered by Innovate UK EDGE. The aim of this competition is to provide a package of targeted support to enable ambitious UK registered micro and small businesses in transformative technologies to reach their potential. Your innovation must lead to new products, processes or...

4.5 million tonnes of edible food is thrown away each year by UK households. Shockingly, 25% of this wasted food is due to cooking, preparing or serving too much - this costs UK households £3.5 billion each year. That is why Love Food Hate Waste is dedicating a whole week of action to shining a light on how simple behaviours to reduce food waste can save time and money. This will ultimately reduce the impact...

The gender pay gap is the difference between the average (mean or median) earnings of men and women across a workforce. From 2017, if you are an employer who has a headcount of 250 or more on your ‘snapshot date’ you must comply with regulations on gender pay gap reporting. Gender pay gap calculations are based on employer payroll data drawn from a specific date each year. This specific date is called the ‘snapshot date’...

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) offers a wide variety of publications containing advice and guidance for employers, workers and the general public. Like all HSE publications, the health and safety guidance leaflets are available to download on HSE's website. For further information please select the following link HSE Publications - free leaflets to download

Commencement of section 156 of the UK Building Safety Act 2022 in Wales. This consultation is about changes to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In response to the Grenfell Tower fire our Safer buildings in Wales White Paper set out proposals for a comprehensive reform of legislation to improve the safety in all multi-occupied residential buildings in Wales (those containing 2 or more sets of domestic dwellings), from design and construction, through to...

A new £22.9 million Farming Connect programme will be available for farmers in Wales over the next two years to support them as they prepare to move to the new Sustainable Farming Scheme, Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has announced. Farming Connect offers business support, improves resilience, provides access to the latest innovations and helps develop farm businesses. It plays a key role in helping farms reach net zero carbon emissions through advice and...

HM Revenue and Customs is reminding VAT registered businesses to file their returns and pay on time, ahead of new penalties being applied. The first monthly returns and payments affected by the penalties are due by 7 March 2023. The late payment penalties and points-based late submission penalties were introduced from 1 January 2023, replacing the VAT default surcharge, and apply to accounting periods which start after that date. The penalties for late VAT returns...