Watchdog confirms cuts and closures to save £12m
NRW said the changes - which involve removing 233 job posts from its structure - will allow it to focus on its "core responsibilities".
It said 113 of these roles are already vacant, meaning 120 current staff members are affected.
NRW said it will redeploy these workers within the organisation, where possible.
Hundreds protest over future of visitor centre
Hundreds of watchdog job cuts 'put nature at risk'
The environmental regulator's board has now approved the restructure plans, following a consultation with trade unions and staff.
It said feedback had led to several proposals being adjusted, including "reducing the number of roles to be removed from the organisational structure".
Plans for changes to NRW's visitor centres in particular had sparked outcry and protests from community groups.
The organisation will no longer run its own cafes and shops at Coed y Brenin in Gwynedd, as well as Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas, in Ceredigion.
The sites themselves will remain open for walking and biking, as will play areas, car parking and toilet provision.
NRW said it would "work closely with customers, partners, and stakeholders to transition smoothly... ensuring the timely transfer of information, knowledge, and resources to others where possible".
Further information would be provided at forthcoming public meetings, it added.
It also confirmed the closure of its environmental library, based at its offices in Bangor.
Environment groups and the trade union Unison had also criticised the planned cuts to the organisation, claiming the range of job roles being closed "put Welsh nature at risk".
But NRW's Chairman Sir David Henshaw said the changes being made would "help us maximise our impact where it matters most".
'This process is not only about addressing financial constraints but about putting NRW in the best shape to tackle the most pressing environmental issues," he said.
While some activities would be "adapted or delivered differently", resources would be freed up to allow additional investment in areas such as monitoring and improving water quality.
"We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and resilience our staff have shown throughout this period of change," Sir David added.
"We understand these changes come with a personal cost, and we are committed to supporting our team as we move forward."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Denver man called United Airlines real customer service — then got transferred to someone who took $17K. How?
Dan Smoker's dream family trip to Europe turned into a nightmare—not because of a cancellation, but due to a call he made to United Airlines. After his initial flight was canceled due to mechanical issues, Smoker spent over three painstaking hours on the phone with United trying to rebook. He connected with an agent named 'David,' who promised to charge for the new ticket, upgraded Smoker to premium economy and said the original cost would be refunded. A confirmation email followed — addressing refund timelines, oddly, from a non-United email. Months later, no refund had arrived. Upon investigating his credit card bill, he found the legitimate charges from United Airlines for Smoker's rebooked flight, along with another charge for $17,000 listed under the alias "AIRLINEFARE." Don't miss Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Scammed — but how? After consumer investigator Steve Staeger examined the confirmation email, he immediately noticed several red flags indicating a possible scam. "I figured Dan had been taken advantage of, thought maybe he'd Googled a number for United," Staeger says in a WGRZ video, "but he didn't." Both Smoker and Staeger confirmed using call logs that Smoker had called United Airlines' official customer service number, and the call log showed confirmed three hours he had spent on the phone were with United. 'The more I looked into it, the more clear it became that it was a scam via United's system somehow," Smoker said. "Now how that happened? I have no idea.' On United's end, however, a representative told him the three-hour call connected with David was only in their internal call log for 12 minutes. United confirms they logged several calls from Smoker's number and have launched an internal review. However, the airline couldn't explain how the call was transferred to the alleged scammer or why their own logs recorded a much shorter call duration. Smoker has filed a fraud report with his credit card provider while awaiting resolution. 'They have a system that people are supposed to trust,' Smoker said. 'I trusted that system. There was no reason that I shouldn't have trusted that system, and I was scammed as a part of it.' 'We've been in direct contact with the customer to understand what happened in this case,' a United spokeswoman said in a statement. 'We are reviewing this matter thoroughly. We're committed to finding a fair resolution for him.' She did not answer any questions on how Smoker's call could have been redirected. A broader rise of airline scams While Dan Smoker's case stands out as he was somehow intercepted or rerouted through United's offical line, it's part of a broader trend of scammers cashing in on airline cancellations. The urgency and panic that comes with rebooking a cancelled flight makes airline customers a prime target for phishing in scammers books. Recent investigations by consumer watchdogs like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and AARP show how widespread the threat has become. The BBB issues frequent alerts about fake airline customer service numbers leading to billing scams, and reports via their Scam Tracker database note how even trusted sources like Google can populate fraudulent numbers that impersonate airline support. Scammers often purchase top ad placement or manipulate Google search results to insert fake numbers at the top of your query—meaning customers often think they're getting help, not pitching money. AARP has documented similar cases, where frustrated travelers searching online for help ended up paying twice — once to the airline and again to a fraudster disguised as a booking agent. Scammers also exploit social media by replying to posts complaining about cancelled flights with phony offers of assistance. Read more: Nervous about the stock market? Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you're not a millionaire. How consumers can protect themselves Airline scams are evolving so quickly that even travelers who do everything 'by the book' can get caught in the trap. The best protection starts with knowing what red flags to look for. Experts warn that you should only ever contact an airline through its official channels, either the number listed on its verified website or inside the company's app. Refund emails should always come from a legitimate domain like @ never a generic address. And while it might be second nature to type 'United customer service' into Google, that's one of the biggest dangers: scammers buy ads or spoof listings to make fake call center numbers appear at the top of search results. Even if you're on the phone with someone who seems helpful, remember that real agents won't demand you pay upfront for a refund or push you to make unusual financial transactions. If something about the interaction feels off — say, the call log shows a different length than what you remember, or you can't get a case number — it's worth hanging up and calling back through a different verified line. Finally, timing matters. If you do see an unexpected charge, don't wait it out. Contact your bank immediately, dispute the charge, and let the airline know what happened. Quick action often makes the difference between recovering your money and losing it for good. Bottom line This case is alarming as Smoker's wasn't duped by a fake Google listing or social media post — he dialed the official United line. Somehow, his call still went sideways. You shouldn't have to second-guess an airline's own customer service line — yet scams are increasingly blurring the lines between real systems and fake ones. When trust in the system breaks down, vigilance becomes the traveler's best defense. By sticking to official channels, questioning odd requests, and acting fast when something doesn't add up, you can keep your dream trip from turning into a financial nightmare. What to read next Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 simple ways to grow rich with real estate if you don't want to play landlord. And you can even start with as little as $10 Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Fantasy Premier League: Best budget FPL players to consider
Smart coaches are already beyond the clear selections to find value in the transfer market as the new Fantasy Premier League campaign draws near. Although high-value assets dominate the FPL news, it is the budget players that can make the difference. Five outstanding FPL budget options who might beat their low-cost values this season are listed below. Fantasy Premier League: Best budget FPL assets in 2025/26 Martin Dubravka – Burnley (£4m) Newcastle United's former number one has secured a fresh start at newly-promoted Burnley, and at just £4 million, he represents exceptional value. The 36-year-old Slovakia international brings seven-and-a-half years of Premier League experience to Turf Moor. Also it is highly likely for him to be only first-choice goalkeeper at £4m in FPL. Joe Rodon – Leeds (£4m) The Welsh international has become a cornerstone of Leeds United's defence and represents outstanding value at just £4m. Rodon played every single minute of Leeds' successful promotion campaign, helping the club secure their return to the Premier League after a two-year absence. Tijjani Reijnders – Manchester City (£5.5m) Manchester City's summer signing from AC Milan could prove to be one of the bargains of the season at £5.5 million. The 26-year-old Dutch international was named Serie A's Best Midfielder in 2024/25 after a stellar campaign that saw him score 15 goals in 54 appearances for Milan. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Everton (£5m) Everton's new signing represents excellent value at £5m, particularly given his proven Premier League track record. The 26-year-old midfielder played a pivotal role in Leicester City's 2023/24 Championship triumph, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in 44 matches during their promotion-winning campaign. Jorgen Strand Larsen – Wolves (£6.5m) The Norwegian striker has made his loan move from Celta Vigo permanent after an impressive debut Premier League season. Strand Larsen scored 14 goals in his first campaign. Among players with at least 20 shots last season, Strand Larsen boasted the third-best conversion rate at 25.9% and the second-highest shooting accuracy at 69.4%. The 25-year-old's physical presence proved crucial, winning 67 aerial duels throughout the season. With Matheus Cunha's departure to Manchester United, Strand Larsen is likely to inherit penalty duties, adding further appeal to his FPL profile. The Budget FPL players Strategy These five players provide FPL managers the ideal mix of upside potential and cheapness. Finding true quality at reduced pricing can give the base for a successful season in a game where budget restrictions force tough choices. Recognising value throughout all pricing ranges and creating a balanced team will be crucial to success in 2025/26. Read – See more – Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: | | | |
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Ripple Aiming for More Developers With Ethereum Sidechain: CTO
XRP Ledger's Ethereum sidechain could lead to more experimentation within the network's ecosystem, while potentially attracting fresh talent, according to Ripple CTO David Schwartz. A lot of Ethereum-based applications are 'just garbage,' but developers' overarching focus on experimentation 'is good,' and could benefit XRP Ledger, he told Decrypt in a recent interview. 'The XRP Ledger's set of developers is not as big as I think it should be,' he said, attributing part of that to the fact that 'we don't have programmability at layer-1.' In June, Ripple said that XRP Ledger was entering a multi-chain era with the debut of the XRPL EVM Sidechain. The network supports smart contracts, allowing people to create applications in the same way that they would on Ethereum, while using XRP as its native token. 'If you understand Solidity and building on the EVM platform, you're welcome here,' Schwartz said, referring to Ethereum's primary programming language. In April, Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick penciled in a year-end price target of $5.50 for XRP, saying the cryptocurrency is 'positioned at the heart' of cross-border and cross-currency payments. However, he flagged a 'small number of developers' within XRP Ledger's ecosystem as one of the biggest headwinds for the token. XRP Ledger's ecosystem has 168 total developers, while Ethereum and Solana are home to around 8,500 and 4,000 developers, respectively, according to Developer Report. 'I think it is fair to say that we haven't been quite as successful in terms of the sort of number of developers,' he said. 'We definitely are trying to attract more developers.' Alongside the networks mainnet debut, Ripple said that the Ethereum-compatible network unlocks new possibilities within XRP Ledger's ecosystem, including apps that are dedicated to lending and tokenization. They can also tap into 'XRPL's deep liquidity,' it said. Bitcoin ETFs Pull In $91.6M, Snapping Four-Day Outflow Streak So far, the XRPL EVM Sidechain has gotten off to a quiet start, but Schwartz said Ripple is trying to 'encourage people with grants, community funding, [and] driving institutional adoption.' As of Wednesday, XRPL's EVM sidechain had $94,000 worth of assets being used within DeFi applications, according to crypto data provider DefiLlama. The most popular application was Moai Finance, a decentralized exchange with $54 in trading volume over the past day. Sign in to access your portfolio