Deeside nuclear manufacturing hub brings 200 jobs to north Wales
The facility will manufacture components including pipework, supports, tanks and modular systems.The development, unveiled by Stuart Crooks, chief executive of Hinkley Point C, and Rebecca Evans MS, Welsh government cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, follows the UK government's £17bn nuclear investment announced in its spending review.
Boccard said the new hub would create more than 200 permanent jobs, develop local skills, and contribute to the UK's decarbonisation and net zero targets.Bruno Boccard, the firm's chairman, said it was a "milestone in our century-long history and part of our broader European expansion"."The UK government's historic support marks a turning point for the nuclear sector, shifting focus to building a world-class supply chain and attracting top talent."Mr Crooks added the Deeside facility was "a prime example of the way nuclear is creating new industrial capacity in Britain", while Evans said it "clearly" signalled that "Wales is strategically placed to play a central role in the future nuclear supply chain".
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The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
What is really going on inside the confusing Alexander Isak transfer saga?
Newcastle United may be insistent that Alexander Isak is not for sale, and Eddie Howe may be cautiously asserting his confidence that the Swede will 'be here at the start of the season', but there is a lot more uncertainty within the club. Many are worried. A feeling is growing that Isak's head has been turned, with that accentuated by the club's frustrations in the transfer market. The 25-year-old is coming into his prime, and just qualifying for the Champions League is no longer enough. No matter what else Howe says, it is hardly encouraging that the manager admits he has 'to send him home' from a pre-season friendly 'due to the speculation around him'. That is a strange and conspicuous decision in such circumstances. Some teammates won't even be drawn on his future. There were still other alarm-bell lines from Howe, even as he maintained Isak is 'happy at Newcastle'. Among them were 'I respect a player's career and how short it is'. The great question isn't over Newcastle's stance but whether Isak will actually agitate to leave. Most have thought that was unlikely due to his personality, but it's not being said with the same confidence it was. At the same time, the transfer window can bring different forces, and unexpected twists. Things can drastically change when there's suddenly money on the table. Isak may have to actually agitate to ensure that. Some wonder whether it would be too late. Those close to Isak's circle insisted as far back as last year that his future is not 'clear cut', and that this was always going to be 'a big summer'. Newcastle's controversial but almost limitlessly wealthy ownership may mean they have even less need to sell than anyone else, but no squad really needs a player around that doesn't want to be there. So it really comes down to how much Isak's head has actually been turned. There is still one huge caveat to all of this talk, and that is the size of any prospective fee. Isak is really worth around £150m, and Newcastle are not even going to consider much less. While every club would love Isak, there are very few who can afford him outright, and only a handful that have the budget this summer. Real Madrid don't have the space, and actually need to sell in those positions, as they prioritise midfield. Barcelona have the need, but don't have the budget, as can be viewed by the fact they are going for Marcus Rashford on a loan deal. Paris Saint-Germain are maybe one to watch here, and he would fit the profile of new Champions League winners. The word is they are nevertheless focusing on other areas. Bayern Munich clearly have something close to the budget, as well as the need, since they have already considered deals of around £100m for Florian Wirtz and Luis Diaz. They just haven't been mentioned as a club Isak would be interested in going to. All of which leaves - much to Newcastle's potential irritation - the kind of Premier League rivals they are seeking to supplant. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, at least, are barely worth mentioning in this. Chelsea have obviously thought about it given co-owner Behdad Eghbali's passion for player trading, but Isak would involve a considerable adjustment to the wage structure, and there is currently no serious suggestion anything will happen there. Manchester City have already spent £350m since January, and consequently used much of the PSR headroom they had built up. Liverpool would actually have to pay out another £120m to match that figure this year, which points to how a recent reticence to spend has given them such scope this summer. Everyone is watching what is next there, and no one in football can really understand the dynamics so far. Liverpool evidently have an interest in Isak, but have denied contact with Newcastle. Other sources insist there has been contact, amid a lot of speculation about 'power plays' and multi-layered strategies. A theory has grown that Liverpool have pursued Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike to try and force the Isak situation, but you probably don't make an offer to Eintracht Frankfurt if that is actually the case. They are visibly, seriously advancing on another deal. Except, sources close to the negotiations say they haven't advanced that quickly, and Frankfurt have also been frustrated with the pace of it all. All of that is precisely why Howe's decision to leave Isak out of the Celtic match only adds to the intrigue. Finally, looking on, there is then Arsenal. They were the club that were long seen as Isak's strongest suitor and who the player has previously had an interest in going to. Arsenal are actively trying to buy a forward. They haven't yet secured Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres. They're supposed to be going big. Mikel Arteta is known to 'love' Isak and see him as ideal. A sudden switch makes sense… until you come up against the pure logic of the numbers. Arsenal don't currently have the budget to go for Isak. This is, after all, a club who have been haggling over differences of £5m in add-ons for Gyokeres. Are we really to expect they suddenly jump £70m more? The greater intrigue is that Arsenal do have the PSR headroom. Many just put this down to the ownership's willingness to spend, and how much funds are released. The Kroenkes do prefer their club to be fully responsible, with no risk in this regard. Other sources would describe that as overt conservatism, and even frugality, when the club has a huge chance to do something historic. Their wage bill has - up until recently - been around £60m less than even Liverpool's, let alone City. That is known to have led to some frustration. Arteta has also strongly and successfully argued to push the budget out this summer, which is why some well-placed sources think it highly unlikely they will go out any more. And yet this might really be the difference, between glory now, as well potential riches for the future. It's hard not to think that Arteta should mimic Sir Alex Ferguson and strongly make the case to the board that this is one of those rare players who can change everything; that this is one you do change plans for. That's all the more pronounced when the champions, Liverpool, might yet get him. It's not just about what you do. Many at Newcastle will of course be looking at such discussion and be aghast. He's still their player, and looks a long way off going anywhere. There, however, it is certainly hard not to agree with one thing Howe said. It's difficult 'to give 100% clarity' on this. The nature of the market means Howe is almost certainly right that Isak stays for the start of the season. But the end of the window? The market would still need to drastically change. It only makes Saturday's developments more confusing.
The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
What are the key recommendations in the landmark water sector review?
The much-anticipated final report from the Independent Water Commission, led by former Bank of England deputy governor Sir Jon Cunliffe, has outlined 88 recommendations to the UK and Welsh governments to turn around the ailing industry. The Government has so far backed the review and is considering a piece of primary legislation to deliver many of the proposed changes. Here the PA news agency takes a look at the key recommendations in the report: – Overhauling the current system of regulation The review recommends overhauling the regulators and replacing them with one body for England and one body for Wales. For England, this would see Ofwat and the Drinking Water Inspectorate abolished, and the removal of the environmental regulation functions for the Environment Agency and Natural England. Instead, a 'joined-up' and 'powerful' single integrated water regulator would be established. In Wales, Ofwat's economic responsibilities would be integrated into Natural Resources Wales, the review said. – Setting up regional planning authorities Eight new regional water system planning authorities in England and one national authority in Wales should be set up, the review says. This would involve devolving current planning responsibilities and transferring resources from the regulators to these new authorities, which would be responsible for developing water investment plans that reflect local priorities and voices. – Introducing stronger consumer protections The commission recommends measures such as expanding the role of the voluntary Consumer Council for Water into an ombudsman to give stronger protection to customers and a clearer route to resolving complaints. It also proposes the introduction of a national social tariff to provide consistent support for low-income customers who need help to pay their bills and to transfer responsibility for consumer advocacy to Citizens Advice. – Stronger environmental regulations The report proposes stronger regulation on abstraction, sludge, drinking water standards and water supply. It also recommends improving the process where companies collect and analyse wastewater discharges they make into waterways by introducing more digitalisation, automation, third-party assurance and inspections. After one of the driest springs on record, it recommends compulsory water metering, changes to wholesale tariffs for industrial users and greater water reuse and rainwater harvesting schemes. – Tightening oversight of water company ownership and governance The commission recommends new regulatory powers to block changes to water company ownership, for example, where investors are not seen to be prioritising the long-term interests of the company and its customers. It also suggests new 'public benefit' clauses in water company licences and recommends the regulator set 'minimum capital' requirements so that companies are less reliant on debt and more financially resilient. – Public health reforms The report covers legislative reforms to better manage public health risks in water, recognising the many people who swim, surf and enjoy other water-based activities. These include public health objectives in water quality legislation, senior public health representation on regional water planning authorities and legislative changes to address emerging pollutants such as PFAs, also known as forever chemicals, micropollutants and microplastics. – Fundamentally resetting economic regulation This recommendation includes a new 'supervisory' approach that supports tailored decisions and earlier interventions in water company oversight. The report also makes recommendations on the Price Review process, including changes to ensure companies are investing in and maintaining assets and to help attract long-term, low-risk investment. – Providing a clear strategic direction The commission said both the UK and Welsh governments should publish a new long-term National Water Strategy with a minimum horizon of 25 years and interim milestones. It also says a set of ministerial priorities specifically for the water industry should be issued to regulators every five years, replacing the current strategic policy statement. – Infrastructure and asset health reforms The report sets out changes in how water infrastructure is managed, monitored and delivered to better safeguard the provision of water and management of wastewater for future generations. They include new requirements for companies to map and assess their assets – such as pipes, treatment works and pumping stations. It also calls for resilience standards that are forward-looking and applied consistently across the industry.
Daily Mail
2 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Power up anywhere: This portable power station is a must for outdoor getaways - shop it today with 50% off (plus save an EXTRA 5% with our code)
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Whether you're entertaining in the garden or planning an outdoor getaway, making sure you're equipped with an effective portable power unit is a must - and we've found an unmissable deal on one of the best. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station, coined an 'absolute essential' for supplying power on unplugged adventures, has been coming in clutch for users on campervan holidays and off-grid camping trips – and now you can snap it up for 50 per cent less. Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station offers a remarkable 1500W output and a generous 1070Wh capacity, making powering high-demand essentials like fridges, kettles and portable air conditioners absolutely effortless. 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The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station offers a remarkable 1500W output, 50 per cent higher than previous generations, and a generous 1070Wh capacity, making powering high-demand essentials like fridges, kettles and portable air conditioners absolutely effortless. From making yourself an emergency coffee and keeping BBQ drinks cold in a portable fridge to giving your phone an emergency charge while out in the sticks, this power station is set to keep you in total control – controlled itself by a practical app. Featuring USB-A/C ports and up to 100W dual PD charging, it's capable of keeping multiple devices (phone, laptop) charged simultaneously, making it the ultimate companion for all your power needs. It's even got ultra-fast one hour charging, enabled through the clever app, which enables the Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station to be fully charged in less than an hour, delivering a crucial power backup when your battery runs low. 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