Aberystwyth listed as one of the top events locations in the world
Heledd Williams, Head of Business Events at Meet In Wales, a Welsh Government team promoting Wales as a business events destination, welcomed the news: 'This is a significant step forward for Aberystwyth and the wider Ceredigion region. It shows that our universities, passionate ambassadors, and beautiful destinations are starting to attract global attention. These kinds of conferences bring people, ideas, and economic benefits to the area — and help us tell Wales' story to the world.'
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ITV News
2 hours ago
- ITV News
Wales' universities 'in crisis', unions warn
Wales' universities are in 'crisis' and risk being brought 'to their knees' - the warnings of two unions working in the sector. There has been a series of job losses and course closures announced in recent months as higher education institutions try to deal with a funding shortfall and mounting debts. Representatives of Unison and the Universities and College Union (UCU) have been giving evidence to the Senedd's Children, Young People and Education Committee today (Wednesday.) In its written evidence, Unison - which represents support staff - wrote that, 'Welsh universities are in crisis. Hundreds of job losses are expected with a catastrophic effect on staff, institutions, students, communities and the Welsh economy. 'It's dishonest for universities to talk about enhancing the student experience when this is significantly undermined by the scale of job cuts. 'There's an urgent need for Welsh government to decide what it wants the HE sector to deliver and for this to be properly funded. It must produce a detailed industrial strategy which outlines the skills and number of graduates Wales requires for the future across a range of jobs and ensure universities have the capacity to train these young people.' Meanwhile, UCU, which speaks for academic staff, wrote that 'UCU Cymru notes that Higher Education has suffered systematic failure and neglect which, combined with the recent hike in operating costs, risks bringing many Welsh institutions to their knees.' During the committee meeting Gareth Lloyd of UCU said 'The danger is, if we're not careful, this is going to have a really detrimental effect on students who don't want to go there. And that really, really worries me.' Speaking to ITV Wales after the meeting, Dan Beard of Unison, said that he fears that the job losses won't solve the problem and could make it far worse. He said that, 'My worry is we're going to see a real reduction in capacity and more job losses, perhaps even the collapse of certain universities.' The political focus on higher education will continue this afternoon in Westminster, when MPs belonging to the Welsh Affairs committee will question the Vice Chancellors and other leaders of all nine universities in Wales.
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Plans to boost manufacturing and semiconductors in Newport
UK Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, launched a fresh strategic approach for industry which has major benefits to Wales, the minister said. He has the backing of the UK Government's Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens and local industry leaders in Newport. The plan will see further subsidies for manufacturing that are high energy users and also a boost to the semiconductor industry, which is strong along the M4 corridor area in Gwent. Other Welsh boosts, largely outside Gwent, will see cost benefits for defence, chemical and steel making, with further subsidised energy costs being offered. From 2027, electricity costs will be cut by up to £40 per megawatt hour for electricity-intensive businesses. The Business Secretary has said the cash boost will help Welsh industry and attract new investment: "It will make existing Welsh industry a lot more competitive and attract new investment," he added. Energy-intensive industries will get help from the British Industry Supercharger, which will use more taxpayers' money to increase subsidies in energy intense production. The subsidies will increase from 60 per cent to 90 percent in 2026. The industrial strategy is a decade-long plan to 'make business cheaper and easier' and assist UK Government in its growth aims. The plan is to "make it quicker, easier and cheaper" to do business in the UK, he clarified. The package for Wales will see a university-led growth in research into semiconductors, which will feed the Gwent-based manufacturers. The doctoral centre will be 'world- leading' and based in Swansea. The funding will see £275million for skills and training in England and a related, so-called Barnett consequential funding for Wales. That funding will be at the heart of the strategy, it is claimed. Skills training is devolved to Wales and Wales ordinarily gets a bigger share of funding from what is called the Barnett consequential. This means Wales should get a bigger proportionate share for training than is available in England. The Welsh Government can add to the sums and further boost work in education and training, which is already proportionately bigger in Wales's smaller and less competitive job market. However, adding to the sums is entirely the decision of the Welsh Government, Mr Reynolds has pointed out. UK Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, said the industrial strategy was good for Wales and its businesses. She added: "The strategy will support key sectors like compound semiconductors while developing industries of the future like floating offshore wind where Wales is well-placed to be a world leader.' The strategy aims to harness an 'investment zone' around the semiconductor sector in Newport. Dr Wyn Meredith, Chair of CSconnected, the collective brand for advanced semiconductor activities in South East Wales, said: "This announcement marks a major milestone in strengthening South Wales' position as a global leader in compound semiconductor technologies. "The Cardiff Capital Region Investment Zone will support the growth of this strategically important industry, accelerating supply chain growth, workforce development programmes, and innovation to produce the products and services of the future. These factors are critical drivers for further job creation, inward investment and remaining globally competitive in this highly competitive global industry." Michael O'Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Vishay, which operates the largest semiconductor factory in the UK based in Newport, said: 'This is a critical milestone for South Wales and the UK as a whole – a vote of confidence in the talented workers who have attracted investment from Government and companies across the globe. "We know that the world class semiconductor cluster in South Wales has the expertise to meet the great challenges of our age – from Net Zero to the huge energy demands that will come from the growth of AI and electric vehicles. 'We plan to invest £250m, supporting 500 jobs to manufacture cutting edge compound semiconductors. These microchips with faster processing speeds will reduce energy losses and support advanced manufacturing industries from next generation wind turbines, data centres, to the latest electric vehicles and chargers. 'We look forward to working in partnership with leaders in the Welsh Government, Cardiff Capital Region and beyond to make the most of this opportunity for growth." Welsh Labour ministers are expressing delight at recent events and are buoyed ahead of next year's Senedd elections by this news. The boost follows the recent spending review that saw £445million pumped into rail, bus, cycling and walking alternatives to the congestion on the M4. Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Minister for the Economy and Energy, has told media the boost is the result of the government partnership between the Senedd and Westminster. A spokeswoman for Plaid Cymru said Wales is being short changed by Westminster again and will remain an afterthought in Labour's plans, which seem to centre on Senedd elections, not economic renewal. Key factors for Wales: UK Government to establish a centre for doctoral training in semiconductors, building on the world-leading cluster based in south Wales. A Defence Growth Deal cluster to build on Wales's major strengths. The top five Ministry of Defence suppliers all have a presence in Wales. A new British Business Bank champion for the Cardiff Capital Region to connect investors with businesses and kickstart growth. £30m for a Local Innovation Partnerships Fund in Wales to work with the Welsh Government and Innovate UK to grow innovation. The National Wealth Fund working with the Development Bank of Wales to identify and secure financing for investment projects in Wales. Support for the UK's city regions and clusters by increasing the supply of investment sites through a new £600m Strategic Sites Accelerator. Strengthened support from the Office for Investment to help identify, shape and deliver strategic investment opportunities.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
UK's best-loved holiday park reveals their favourite beach – with a 19th century chapel on the seafront
Plus, the quaint Welsh seaside town named one of the cheapest places for a UK beach break BEACH SIDE UK's best-loved holiday park reveals their favourite beach – with a 19th century chapel on the seafront Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TENBY is one of the UK's most beautiful coastal towns and one holiday park said it has the best beaches too - one of which has its own chapel. St Julian's Church sits on the very edge of the Harbour Beach, it's surrounded by colourful houses, and visitors say the "peaceful" chapel is worth a visit for all holidaymakers. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 St Julian's Church sits on the front of Tenby harbour Credit: Alamy 5 The church is still active, but you can still take a peak inside Credit: Alamy Bluestone National Park Resort has picked its 'Top 10 Pembrokeshire Beaches', and Tenby has bagged one of the top spots - because it has four. The two main beaches of North and South, are at either end of the town while Harbour and Castle Beach is the nearest to the town centre. You'll find St Julian's Church on Harbour beach. It was built in 1878 as a fisherman's chapel to replace their original one on the pierhead. The old pier and chapel were demolished in 1840 when the harbour entrance became too narrow. The fishermen worshipped at St Mary's further into town, but the smell of their clothes was offensive to others in the congregation. To keep them away, St Julian's Church was constructed in the late 1870s The church is still active with couples having weddings there and the holding of Sunday services. One visitor to Tenby wrote on Tripadvisor: "You wouldn't expect such a small, well-maintained chapel so close to the harbour." Another added: "Worth a look. Lovely quaint little chapel. Lots of history to it. inviting and well kept in such an amazing location." Others describe it as being "peaceful" and "full of history." The Cabin, Tenby 5 Tenby has long been dubbed one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Wales Credit: Alamy Tenby is a popular spot for British tourists looking for a coastal getaway - it was named as one of the UK's Most Beautiful Coastal Towns in 2024. Local Matthew Evans, who runs Coastal Cottages of Pembrokeshire with his wife, also said Tenby was one of the best places for a Wales trip. He previously told Sun Travel: "There are four epic sandy beaches and a picture-perfect harbour paired with idyllic cobbled streets, plenty of seaside activities, and independent bars, restaurants, and cafes." One of the most popular attractions is The Dinosaur Park inside is a mile-long trail with over 30 life-sized dinosaurs. There are also rides like the Tubey Run and Go Karts, and engage in activities such as fossil hunting and mini-golf. Most tourists make sure to travel to Caldey Island, which is a 20-minute boat ride away. Along with a shop and lighthouse, there is an island monastery. 5 Caldey Island is 20-minutes away from Tenby Credit: Alamy It has the golden sand Priory Beach, which is the best place to watch the boats arriving on the island. It was announced earlier this year that Tenby's Town Hall will be transformed into a luxury hotel and spa. Plans to convert Tenby's old town hall and a former department store into a luxury hotel, spa, and restaurant complex were approved in early April 2025. If it all goes ahead, there will be a 20-room hotel located across the two buildings, including two roof extensions. The design also includes a spacious ground-floor reception, a gym, treatment rooms, a café and a restaurant. One Sun writer visited a hidden Welsh beach you can only access at low tide & it cost £38 for my whole family to stay there. And the quaint Welsh seaside town named one of the cheapest places for a UK beach break.
