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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FGW staff to be retrained
Repetitive on board announcements on trains in the Thames Valley will be scrapped after years of passenger's complaints.
First Great Western are retraining one thousand staff to keep their messages to the point after the company's research showed their excessive guard announcements were causing customers to switch off.
Half of FGW train passengers ignore announcements
First Great Western have decided to reduced the number of announcements made on train journeys, following pressure from passengers. Research carried out by the train provider found, half of passengers don't listen to them.
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Support for Remploy workers extended
The Welsh Government has announced that a support programme for workers at Remploy factories in Wales will be extended. They hope it will help those facing redundancy because of UK Government plans to close the remaining Welsh factories.
Last year Ministers in London announced that a number of Remploy plants were to close under 'Phase 1' of their plans. In response the Welsh Government launched the Employer Support Grant to help displaced Remploy workers find new work.
The UK Government is now considering the future of the remaining Remploy plants in Wales under 'Phase 2', including the future of the Porth and Baglan sites. Two hundred workers could potentially be affected.
Shadow minister: Steel offer may have been too late
Responding to the Economy Minister's statement on the support offered to steel firm Rowecord, Shadow Business Minister Nick Ramsay said:
– Nick Ramsay AM, Shadow Business MinisterWe welcome the offer of support from the Welsh Government - although I fear this may be too late in the day to be of practical help.
We hope that Ministers will leave no stone unturned in helping to save as many jobs as possible and support the highly skilled workforce in securing rewarding employment.
This sad news emphasises the need for the Welsh Government to develop a clearer strategy to support Wales’ manufacturing industries, which are struggling in this challenging economic climate.
Rowecord: Economy Minister's statement
We have offered assistance to the maximum level allowable within state aid rules to the company. However, this offer was not taken up by the company, because of their worsening financial and competitive position.
The company’s senior management have thanked the Welsh Government for our offer of support and for the speed and flexibility with which we responded, however, they have reluctantly decided that it is in the best interests of its employees and partners to file for administration, when a buyer for the business may be identified.
– Edwina Hart AM, Economy MinisterWe will now work with the Administrators, Grant Thornton, to explore all options for securing the future of the company and we will of course discuss packages of support with any potential buyers.
Steel firm was offered 'maximum allowable help'
The Economy Minister says that the Welsh Government offered 'maximum allowable' financial help to the steel firm Rowecord. But Edwina Hart told the Assembly that the company decided to turn the offer down because of its 'worsening financial position.'
The minister said that Rowecord's management thanked the Welsh Government but felt that the maximum financial support was still not enough. She said officials are in contact with administrators to look at a rescue package and said that she would offer support to any potential buyers.
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Opposition Leader asks why firm turned down Welsh Government help
Opposition leader Andrew RT Davies says the minister's statement on Rowecord should explain why the company turned down the Welsh Government's offer of assistance. He said he hopes there'll be detail of the type of offer made.
Minister to make Rowecord emergency statement
Economy minister, Edwina Hart, will make a statement to the Assembly this afternoon following the news that Newport-based engineering firm Rowecord is in administration putting 400 jobs at risk.
The Welsh Government has previously said it offered the firm assistance which was not taken up by Rowecord.
Rowecord administration: Workers' uncertainty
Workers at Newport engineering firm Rowecord say they're facing an uncertain future following news that the company is in administration.
One employee told ITV Cymru Wales he has been employed there for 20 years.
Administrators have begun work to try and save around 400 jobs.
Rowecord Managing Director Andrew Hoppe said the company had “exhausted every option to sustain the business for the future.”
Welsh Government: Rowecord help offer 'not taken up'
The Welsh Government has confirmed that assistance was offered to Rowecord, but that it was not taken up.
– Welsh Government spokespersonThe Welsh Government has worked closely with Rowecord to support the business and offered assistance to the maximum level allowable within state aid rules.
However, the offer was not taken up, as Rowecord decided that it is in the best interests of its employees and partners to file for administration when a buyer for the business may be identified.
The Welsh Government added that 'as much support as possible' would be made available to employees.
