Salmon return to Wye & Usk after decades of decline
Things are looking up on the rivers Wye and Usk, following significant investment to help improve water quality and to build fish passes.
Emergency aid call in open letter from farming groups
Farming groups have signed an open letter to the Natural Resources Minister calling for 'adequate compensation' following last month's snow
Chancellor rules out tolls on M4 relief road
The UK Government say that they hope to announce plans for a new road around Newport with a couple of months
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First Gwynt y Mor turbine installed off Flintshire coast
The first turbine at Gwynt y Mor has been successfully installed off the coast of North Wales. It's one of 160 wind turbines which are being installed as part of the multi million pound windfarm project, which is expected to be completed in 2014.
First Minister opens Bridgend engineering facility
The First Minister Carwyn Jones has returned to his Bridgend constituency this morning to open a new engineering facility.
The St David Engineering facility is part of a £1.3 million investment into the Bridgend firm Aircraft Maintenance Support Services Limited who provide aircraft support equipment for military and civilian use.
In the next five years up to 50 jobs are expected to be created with the company planning to work with Bridgend college to bring more apprentices through its doors.
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Old Colwyn building firm goes into administration
A building firm in Old Colwyn confirmed today that they have gone into administration.
There have been fears for the future of Daniel Contractors, which employs 250 people at its North Wales site.
Administrators Deloitte say they are in discussions to sell all or parts of the business and safeguard as many jobs as possible.
Reducing smoking must be priority says Plaid
The Welsh Government's decision not to go ahead with an exemption for actors to smoke on film and television sets and on stage has been welcomed by Plaid Cymru. The party had opposed relaxing the ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.
– Plaid Cymru Health Spokesperson Elin Jones AMI’m glad that the Welsh Government has withdrawn this legislation. It was clear from the evidence given to the [Health] Committee that creating an exemption from the ban was not justified on health or economic grounds. Reducing smoking must remain one of the priorities for the Health Minister. Banning smoking in public places has been a great success and we believe that there are further measures that the Welsh Government could take to reduce smoking.
Smoking ban on film sets won't be lifted
The Welsh Government has abandoned its plans to allow actors to smoke on film and television sets and on stage, if the requirements of the production demand it. The Heath Minister has decided that there will be no exemption to the blanket ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces.
– Health Minister Mark Drakeford AMRegulations to provide an exemption for performers in certain circumstances were laid on 18 July. The Minister for Economy, Science and Transport and I have reviewed the evidence presented ... to date, and have concluded that the Government will not proceed with the original proposals at this time.
Actors can smoke in such circumstances in England and there have been warnings that Wales would lose out if the Welsh Government did not follow suit. BBC Wales claimed that it had to drop a storyline about smoking from the series 'Casualty', but later admitted that was not the case.
Unemployment falls in Wales
Unemployment has fallen in Wales between January and March, according to the latest official figures.
It's down by 6,000 to 121,000.
Across the UK unemployment increased by 15,000 to 2.52 million.
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Jobs under threat at Colwyn Bay firm
Up to 250 jobs could be under threat in Colwyn Bay as a major building firm is reported to be considering going into administration. It's claimed the posts could be at risk at Daniel Contractors, as Rob Shelley reports.
Plaid's 'Plan C' proposals
Plaid Cymru has announced a series of proposals which it says will transform the economy. They've all been previously announced but party leader Leanne Wood says that brought together they offer an alternative both to the UK and Welsh Governments' programmes.
The proposals include:
- Full implementation of Silk Commission recommendations
- A ‘buy local’ campaign, including legislation to improve public procurement
- A Business bank for Wales to support SMEs
- A Green New Deal ... including a Green Skills Technical College
- Support new infrastructure projects
- Create apprenticeships and job opportunities by investing in training and working with both large and SME businesses and training providers
- Promote co-operative and mutual forms of business, including social enterprises
Airbus owner's profits up
The owner of Airbus, which employs thousands at Broughton in Flintshire, is reporting a sharp rise in profits for the first 3 months of this year.
EADS says they're up by 56% to around £630m and that's been driven by its commercial aircraft deliveries.
Their wings are made at Broughton.
Plaid sets out 'Plan C' for Welsh economy
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has set out a 'Plan C' to transform the Welsh economy. The plan refers to criticism of the UK Government's spending plans and calls for the Chancellor to adapt a 'Plan B.'
The proposals have all been previously announced but Leanne Wood says that together they form the basis for Plaid's long-term plans for the economy and describes them as 'anti-austerity.'
