Latest news with #LlinosMedi
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Plaid MP calls for new nuclear project at Wylfa, Anglesey
Llinos Medi, along with the Nuclear Industry Association, brought together industry and political leaders for the Wylfa Future Roundtable on June 6. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the potential of a new nuclear development on Anglesey. Ms Medi said that this project would be 'transformational' for Ynys Môn and vital for the UK's long-term energy security. The roundtable was attended by union leaders, academics, Anglesey County Council representatives, businesses, and nuclear industry experts. They all discussed the future of nuclear power in north Wales. The event highlighted the 'unique potential' of Wylfa as a leading site for nuclear innovation. Ms Medi also called on the UK Government to 'urgently clarify its commitment' to the Wylfa project. She said: "Last week, I was proud to host alongside the Nuclear Industry Association, a cross-party roundtable discussion with unions, academics, Anglesey County Council, local businesses, and industry experts on the future of nuclear at Wylfa. READ MORE: Plan to build annexe in 'picture postcard' village is 'lesser of two evils' Seaside hotel in Gwynedd sold after more than 40 years of family ownership "This group, representing both the local community and industry, are united in our call for the UK to develop a new nuclear project at Wylfa. "This would be transformational for jobs and livelihoods on the island and north Wales as well as providing energy security for decades for the entire United Kingdom. "The UK Government must urgently clarify its commitment to a new project at Europe's best nuclear site at Wylfa."
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Banking giant closing last Anglesey branch in 'deeply disappointing' decision
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A banking giant is set to close its last branch on Anglesey. NatWest has announced its bank in Llangefni will shut on September 4. They said this follows a drop off in personal and business customers over the last five years. Currently nearly 300 customers use the bank each month. It follows the closure of branches in Holyhead, Menai Bridge and Amlwch in recent years. The nearest branch for Anglesey customers will now be over the Menai Strait in Bangor. The decision has come under fire from politicians on the island The Member of the Senedd and Member of Parliament for Ynys Môn described the decision as 'deeply disappointing". In a joint statement, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS and Llinos Medi MP, said: 'NatWest's decision to close its Llangefni branch – the last remaining NatWest branch on the island – is deeply disappointing. It follows an increasingly worrying and unacceptable trend of commercial banks turning their backs on customers in rural communities. "It's equally disappointing that this decision was made without informing elected representatives, leaving us unable to update our constituents. 'Everyone should have access to banking services in their community, and it's the responsibility of the banking sector to make sure that happens. Branch closures cause serious difficulties for customers and isolate many from being able to manage their finances, especially those unable to make use of digital services. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone 'We'll make the case to NatWest to reverse its decision, as well as continue conversations with Link to ensure that no one is left behind because of this announcement.' NatWest said it will offer some services locally following the closure. They said: "We will introduce a community pop-up following closure that will be based in a community venue near to the closing branch." "This service will be accessible for all and be available for up to 12 weeks, with a local colleague available to support with; • face-to-face conversations around your banking needs • support in setting up and using our digital services • advice on how to protect yourself against fraud and scams. "It is a cashless service, however we will provide information on how you can use your local Post Office for cash based transaction." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Chronicle
12-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Holyhead PIP assessment centre closes ‘with no consultation'
Gwelfor Community Centre was, according to the MP for Ynys Môn, Llinos Medi, 'closed with no public consultation or prior notice'. Capita, the outsourcing firm contracted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is moving all Ynys Môn assessments to Bangor. Ms Medi said she was only informed of the news on the day of closure, and has since written to Andrew Western MP, minister for transformation. She noted that Gwelfor Community Centre had a bus stop directly outside, but that the new location, at Parc Menai in Bangor, requires multiple public transport connections with no direct service. In addition, she said the nearest bus stop is more than 200 metres from the entrance, posing a significant challenge for people with limited mobility. Ms Medi added that travelling from Holyhead to the Menai Centre in Bangor often requires changes and long waits, and is nearly impossible for residents in rural villages due to sparse timetables. Isle of Anglesey County Council reported in July 2024 that the island has 'one of the worst accesses to public transport services in North Wales'. More than 5,000 residents in Ynys Môn claim PIP, with nearly 40 per cent receiving the highest level of support. Ms Medi warned that relocating assessments so far away could result in missed appointments and increased digital exclusion as people feel forced to accept less suitable alternatives like phone or video assessments. She said: 'Closing Holyhead's PIP assessment centre without warning is a reckless decision that will make life harder for some of the most vulnerable people in our community. 'More than 5,000 people in Ynys Môn rely on PIP, and nearly 40 per cent receive the highest level of support, many of whom have significant mobility challenges. 'Forcing them to travel over 25 miles to Bangor, or pushing them into unsuitable phone or video assessments, will inevitably lead to missed appointments, digital exclusion, and people losing access to the vital support they're entitled to. 'Closing the centre just as deep cuts to disability benefits are set to be implemented risks triggering a crisis for disabled people living on Anglesey. 'I have written to the UK Government, urging them to urgently review Capita's decision and use ministerial powers to reverse the closure.'
North Wales Chronicle
07-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Ynys Mon MP to urge UK Government to act on Wylfa Newydd
Plaid Cymru's Llinos Medi will lead a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday, May 7, calling for an end to decades of delay. Wylfa, located on Anglesey, was a nuclear power station that generated electricity for 44 years before closing in 2015. Plans for a successor project, Wylfa Newydd, were first proposed in 2009 but were paused in 2019 and scrapped in 2021 after Hitachi withdrew due to a failure to reach a funding agreement with the then Conservative UK Government. During the 2024 General Election, Labour pledged to 'end a decade of dithering that has seen the Conservatives duck decisions on nuclear power' and committed to 'explore the opportunities for new nuclear at Wylfa.' Since her election in July 2024, Ms Medi has raised the issue 11 times in the House of Commons, submitted 10 written parliamentary questions to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and written to the Secretary of State to request clarification. During the Westminster Hall debate, Ms Medi is expected to challenge the UK Government on its ongoing consultation regarding new nuclear sites under its draft planning policy (EN-7), warning that removing the list of preferred sites creates harmful uncertainty and threatens crucial investment in Wales and across the UK.. She is set to call for future nuclear development, including next-generation technologies such as Small and Advanced Modular Reactors (SMRs and AMRs), to be prioritised at existing sites approved under the previous policy document, EN-6, before considering alternative locations. READ MORE: Gwynedd teen to walk Yr Wyddfa four times in a day for defibrillator fundraiser Ms Medi said: "It's astonishing that Wylfa, a site with proven capability, global potential and cross-party support, has been stuck in limbo for decades. "People in North Anglesey are fed up with Labour, and the Tories before them, dragging their feet on this. "Investors are ready, the community is supportive, and the need for clean, secure energy has never been greater. "What we need now is leadership, a clear decision, a funding commitment, and a timeline to match the urgency of the moment. "The UK Government's decision to consult on a new planning policy without committing to established sites like Wylfa is creating damaging uncertainty and deterring the very investment we need. "Wylfa is the best site in Europe for a new nuclear project. "What we need now is a clear strategic business case, a funding commitment, and a timeline that gives developers the confidence to move forward. "I'm calling for future nuclear development, including next-generation technologies such as Small and Advanced Modular Reactors (SMRs and AMRs), to be prioritised at existing sites approved under the previous policy document EN-6 before other sites are looked at. "Investors are keen to invest in Wylfa, communities are supportive, and the need for clean, secure energy has never been more urgent. "It's time for leadership and action."
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Island hopes the beach and home working will lure young back
A Welsh island is hoping working from home and its miles of beach will stop its "unsustainable" exodus of young people. A high-powered remote meeting in the morning and a quick paddleboard at lunch is the work-life balance dream Anglesey is advocating as it tries to lure back a generation that moved away for work. The county off the coast of north-west Wales has seen one of the UK's sharpest birth-rate drops and "concerned" islanders are figuring out how to stop their "brain drain". But local MP Llinos Medi said: "People can come back to Ynys Môn (Welsh for Anglesey), working for a company based in London or Cardiff." The island facing an exodus of young people Meet the man who lives alone on an island Island for sale: Limited viewing, sturdy footwear essential The tranquility of Anglesey makes it attractive for those that have retired but the exodus of young people in the opposite direction is "worrying". Census data already showed the population, which is about 70,000 people, was declining and now only four other areas in England and Wales have seen a bigger drop in birth-rates than Anglesey. So their fight back has begun in the hope the same natural beauty that attracts more than a million tourists a year might bring more islanders who can work remotely, like Will Matthews, back home. The 35-year-old moved back from London to run holiday cottages on the island's west coast at Rhosneigr - 20 minutes from where he grew up in Llanddaniel Fab - with his brother Jack. "We could run our business from anywhere but we choose to run it from here," said Mr Matthews, who thinks Anglesey is a nicer place to bring up his child Cosmo with wife Emily. "Since Covid, companies are happier hiring people without being dependant on location and that's the big shift in my eyes. "To gain those skills, unfortunately you do have to leave, but a lot of people can then come back and stay in their preferred location. "I can finish work and can be out on the water in five minutes, or up on the mountains." However, for those unable to work from home, big and well-paid employers, like the Wylfa nuclear power plant, have closed so some have left in search of employment. "The clearest way to try and buck the trend is to secure investment and see more high quality job opportunities being paid on the island," said Anglesey council's chief executive Dylan Williams. "In professional areas we don't have enough high-quality jobs with high salaries and career progression opportunities." The average home on the island costs £243,158 compared with the UK average of £268,087 and there are long but direct trains to London, Cardiff and Birmingham, as well as the port of Holyhead. "We're a connected island and have digital connectivity," said Medi. "We live in such a nice area. That work-life balance is something employers need to think about." Birth rates on Anglesey have dropped more than a third from 763 babies in 2013 to 486 in 2023 and the median age has risen to 48 - above the Welsh average of 42. "Its quite a worrying trajectory we're on," Medi said. The island hoped more than 1,000 well-paid jobs would be created at a new nuclear power station next to the now decommissioned old one, but 16 years since it was first proposed, Wylfa Newydd is still on the drawing board. That affected some of the island's youngsters like Sion Emlyn Lloyd who planned for a career 30 miniutes from home but has now moved 300 miles away for work. The 25-year-old was a Wylfa Newydd apprentice before the plan was initially shelved but landed another chance at the Hinckley Point nuclear site in Somerset. "It was difficult moving to somewhere you don't know and leaving your family and friends" said Sion. "Around half of my friends from school have left the island, everyone's going across the border to England. "I don't think there are enough opportunities, we need more high skilled jobs in the area. There's a risk of a brain drain and it almost becoming a retirement island." Jacob, Freddy and Oli, all live in the port town of Holyhead, but all plan to move away because of the lack of opportunities and don't know if they will return. "There's not a lot of opportunities for young people," said Jacob, who wants to work in engineering. "For a more ambitious job you have to move away, there's not a lot of big jobs on the island with Wylfa shutting down." Like Jacob, Oli is also at Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern and wants to do a culinary course at university and doesn't know if he will return. "It's quite nothing to do," he said. "Most places here are nice but just out of the way." Daisy, however, plans to go away to study an apprenticeship but wants to return to the island's RAF's base at Valley, where Prince William was stationed. "People say there's nothing to do here," said the 17-year-old. "But there's nothing to do if you don't go out and look for it. "My mum works for a massive company in Cardiff but does it here because its the place she loves and where she's lived her whole life." One primary school shut last year after only nine pupils were left on the register and some school registers have fallen "dramatically", so much so the council has held a public consultation over the future of its sixth form provision. While Medi said the trend is "worrying", she feels "there are opportunities". The island was given freeport status in 2023 and there are tidal schemes in the pipeline off the Holyhead coast. "We need to make sure we don't feed the wrong message to our young people," said Medi "A lot of young people have been told from a very young age that there are no opportunities here but when I meet businesses, they tell me they can't fill the jobs. We maybe need to change that mindset."
