logo
John Griffiths MS on Newport's role in technology industry

John Griffiths MS on Newport's role in technology industry

In the past few days and weeks, there have been some significant developments, which put Newport and the wider region on the map.
I was pleased to visit KLA in Ringland a couple of The weeks ago, following their recent announcement to expand its operations at Imperial Park, which is hugely positive. Their growth and the semiconductor industry more widely is absolutely fantastic for our area. It is proof that Newport is becoming a key player in the future of advanced technologies, and is at the centre of the UK's growing tech industry.
As your Member of Senedd, I'm determined to see local people benefit from these investments and ensuring there are more easily accessible pathways into secure, well-paid employment for residents within the city.
These opportunities are not just for today, but for the next generations as well, something I know many families are thinking about as young people get their exam results this month.
And with schools now out for the summer, it's important that we all take some time to rest and recharge (if we can), while making the most of what our wonderful city has to offer.
Newport Live is running a wide range of family activity sessions during the summer break, many of which are free or low-cost. From sewing to skateboarding, welly walking to watching films, or Football for All, the team at Newport Live have put together a fantastic programme of activities for kids to enjoy this summer.
Check out their website to find out more about how to get involved. Lots of these activities combine physical activity with a healthy meal, helping ease some of the holiday pressures on families.
The Welsh Government is also funding the Food and Fun programmes in schools across Newport and Monmouthshire again this year. These provide enriching and inclusive opportunities for children and young people, from creative arts to outdoor adventures, all designed to boost wellbeing during the break.
As always, I encourage residents to support our local businesses, cafes and events throughout the summer. Whether it's a visit to Beechwood Park, an explore on the beautiful Gwent Levels, or a day in Wentwood Forest, there is so much on our doorstep. Newport Transport have also recently announced a new '45' bus service going to and from Newport Bus Station to the Sports Village and the Wetlands, making accessing these facilities even easier.
I also hope to see some familiar faces at Rodney Parade again this year, as we cheer on Newport County during the new football season!
As always, if I can be of any help on issues relating to transport, schools, health, housing, rural and environmental issues, or sport and culture, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
John Griffiths is Senedd member for Newport East.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Newport City Council wants more Welsh speakers by 2050
Newport City Council wants more Welsh speakers by 2050

South Wales Argus

time18 hours ago

  • South Wales Argus

Newport City Council wants more Welsh speakers by 2050

Newport City Council published a draft of their Welsh Language Annual Monitoring Report on June 30, which contained information on the popularity of the Welsh language in Newport between 2024 and 2025. Demonstrating their commitment to keeping the language alive, the council aims to normalise the Welsh language in areas where it is less spoken. This is a continuation of their five-year strategy, implemented in 2022, to increase the number of Welsh speakers within the area by 2027. The council's eventual goal is the 'Cymraeg 2050' strategy, which aims for one million Welsh speakers across the country by 2050. Data from the Annual Population Survey regarding the use of the Welsh language highlights Blaenau Gwent as the county with the lowest estimated number of Welsh speakers. In 2022, when the council's five-year strategy was put in place, Blaenau Gwent had an estimate of 11,200 people able to speak the language. Now in 2025, this number has decreased to around 9,500 Welsh speakers within the county. Despite this statistic, Blaenau Gwent Council states that it "remains fully committed to the Welsh Government's Cymraeg 2050 vision". The council plans on "working closely with neighbouring authorities to strengthen regional provision and continue to promote Welsh language use across our workforce and communities". Newport City Council's strategies aim to meet the requirements of the Welsh language legislation; to ensure that both the Welsh and English languages are equally endorsed. The council has a wide outreach to Welsh organisations and schools also committed to the survival of the language. Newport City Council have decided not to comment further outside of their published report, which aims to normalise the language instead of outdate it. The intention to provide bilingual services throughout the city aims to integrate the Welsh language into everyday life. The council has been developing the 'Cymraeg Gwaith'/'Work Welsh' programme for Welsh language skills to be built upon within the workplace, working with Menter Iaith Casnewydd and Coleg Gwent to encourage these changes. Administering Welsh language lessons in local schools as well as providing 'Welsh for Adults' schemes, the council has focused on working with Welsh services throughout the county to better support the growth of Newport's Welsh speakers. By encouraging a community effort towards a thriving Welsh language, Newport City Council is determined to provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn Welsh. Looking ahead to 2026, the report encourages increasing Welsh language skills in Newport through refining programmes like 'Cymraeg Gwaith', as well as engaging with minority ethnic communities to widen the outreach of the language. Building up to the Urdd Eisteddfod coming to Newport in 2027, the council is directing its focus towards working with local authorities to promote the language before this Welsh-driven festival makes its highly anticipated arrival.

Large drop in number of pupils studying Welsh at A-level since 2005, data shows
Large drop in number of pupils studying Welsh at A-level since 2005, data shows

North Wales Chronicle

time20 hours ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Large drop in number of pupils studying Welsh at A-level since 2005, data shows

More than 500 fewer students studied Welsh to a high level this year than in 2005, the latest data shows. The drop has come despite the Welsh Government having set a target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050. Around 538,000 people can speak the language in Wales. Data examined by the PA news agency shows some 372 students took Welsh as a first or second language at A-level this year, down from 927 in 2005. The lowest year on record was 2023, when just 353 pupils took the subject. This year has been the lowest year for people taking Welsh as a first language, with 185 entries, compared with 260 in 2020. Some 187 pupils took the subject as a second language, with 209 having taken it in 2020. Efa Gruffudd Jones, the Welsh Language Commissioner – an officer appointed by the Welsh Government to oversee an independent body aiming to promote the use of the Welsh language – described the drop as a 'matter of concern'. Speaking to PA, Ms Gruffudd Jones said she supported calls from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (Welsh National College) for Welsh to become a protected subject. She said: '(This would) make sure that every educational institution post-16 offers the course. 'What I hear from people who get in touch with my office, if only you know three or four people want to study it, then schools don't offer the subject at all. 'I believe they need 12 before they decide to run the course. I don't think that's right. 'I think it should be offered at every educational institution post-16.' Ms Gruffudd Jones also said the qualification itself is under review, and the content needs to be made more attractive and relevant to students. She added: 'The other thing is that you can study many more courses through the medium of Welsh now than you used to be able to. 'You can study psychology, criminology, etc, through the medium of Welsh. 'Maybe people in the past who would have wanted to study through the medium of Welsh chose Welsh, but now they have a wider range of choice.' The commissioner stressed that Welsh is not the only language to have seen a decline, with many European languages having seen a drop across the UK. Total entries for French, German, and Spanish were down by 20% from 443 to 352 in Wales this year, with Ruth Cocks, director of British Council Wales, describing the drop in interest in international languages as a 'concerning story'. Ms Gruffudd Jones said the reason for the move away from studying languages was unclear, but may be due to pupils being encouraged to study more Stem subjects. 'I understand that we need people with technical ability, but I would argue that you also need linguistic ability in order to communicate with people in workplaces, to articulate yourself well in future,' she said. 'I would argue that literature gives you some insight into the world. 'I don't think really that it should be either or. 'What's important is that it doesn't go any lower, and we continue to make efforts to attract people to learn Welsh to a high standard.' The Welsh Government's aim to have one million Welsh speakers by 2050 was first set out in 2017. Earlier this year, a new five-year plan was unveiled by the commissioner to help achieve the goal. And the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Bill, which aims to close the gap in Welsh speaking ability among pupils from different schools, passed in the Senedd. Figures from the 2021 census showed a decline in the number of people who can speak Welsh compared with a decade earlier. Around 538,000 people in Wales – roughly 17% of the population – said they could speak Welsh, compared with 562,000 in 2011, around 19% of the population. Recent years have seen Welsh place names take prominence over English as the default, with Eryri replacing Snowdonia on official communications from the national park authority. In response to the decline in A-level entries, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: 'We would like more learners to take Welsh as a subject. 'A consultation is taking place to look at creating new Welsh AS and A-levels, making them engaging and attractive to learners. 'We see the Welsh Language and Education (Wales) Act 2025 as a means to provide more children and young people with access to the language within the education sector than ever before. 'We want all young people to leave school with better Welsh skills, regardless of whether they do A-level Welsh or not.'

How Food & Drink Skills Wales is shaping the industry
How Food & Drink Skills Wales is shaping the industry

South Wales Argus

time21 hours ago

  • South Wales Argus

How Food & Drink Skills Wales is shaping the industry

Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru, also known as Food & Drink Skills Wales, is funded by the Welsh Government and supports businesses across the country to invest in their workforce. The scheme provides targeted training in areas such as sustainability, innovation, leadership, and digital transformation. Kate Rees, programme manager for Food & Drink Skills Wales, said: "We've been encouraged by the enthusiasm from businesses across Wales who are embracing upskilling as a strategic priority. "Our mission is to support food and drink businesses—particularly in the processing and manufacturing sectors—by ensuring their employees have access to the right training and development. "We're not just building skills, we're building confidence, adaptability and a culture of continuous learning." One business seeing the results of investment in its workforce is Edwards, The Welsh Butcher, based in Conwy, which began as a small, local butchers but has grown into a national brand. Ieuan Edwards, master butcher and director, said: "There's huge potential in the Welsh food and drink industry, especially for people who are curious, adaptable, and eager to grow."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store