Latest news with #Thomas-Symonds
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen Apprenticeship Fair introduces pupils to new careers
The Torfaen Apprenticeship Fair, held on Friday, July 11, at Coleg Gwent's Torfaen Learning Zone in Cwmbran, was organised by MP Nick Thomas-Symonds and welcomed young people from St Alban's RC High School, Cwmbran High, and Croesyceiliog School. More than 20 employers and training providers attended, offering Year 10 pupils insights into apprenticeship pathways across South Wales. Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "Apprenticeships provide valuable skills and training in a number of sectors, giving young people the solid foundation for a successful career. "As local MP, supporting businesses and pushing for opportunities for young people in Torfaen are absolute priorities, so I'm delighted I could deliver this event alongside local schools, businesses, and training providers." Apprenticeship training providers including Coleg Gwent and the Aspire Shared Apprenticeship Programme were on hand to support employers and answer student questions. Richard Selby, managing director of Pro Steel Engineering, said: "Recruiting apprentices has helped us grow our business whilst providing opportunities for people in our local community. "We were delighted to attend today's event so we could share our growth plans for the future and inspire more local young people to consider a career with us." Neil Gregory, director at GOS Tool & Engineering Services Ltd, said: "Once again GOS are delighted to support Nick in pulling this event together and working alongside both national and local governments, schools, colleges and career services to provide this opportunity for young people in Torfaen."
South Wales Argus
10-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen MP marks National Retail Workers' Day alongside USDAW Union
The day, on July 5, focusses on the importance of retail jobs and retail workers, and provides an opportunity to thank all retail workers for the hard work they do for local communities. Usdaw represents hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK retail sector. Mr Thomas-Symonds said: 'Retail workers do an essential job for our economy and our communities, so I was delighted to join local representatives from Usdaw in Cwmbran town centre to mark National Retail Workers' Day, and to send my thanks to all retail workers across Torfaen.' Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary said: 'We welcome the support of Nick and the Labour government for retail workers, who are key workers delivering essential services in our communities and wider economy. "National Retail Workers' Day adds to Usdaw's year-round campaigning for improved workers' rights and negotiating with employers for better terms and conditions. 'In the first year of Labour in government, they are delivering with new rights to help make work pay and jobs more secure, which is the change our members voted for. "Retail workers are at the heart of our communities and are at the core of success in the retail industry, which is crucial to the UK economy and a vital part of high streets. "It is only right that retail workers are valued, respected, and suitably rewarded for the contribution they make.'
Daily Mirror
05-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Infected blood scandal victims will get paid quicker, minister promises
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has told officials to "do what is necessary to remove barriers and speed up payments." Victims of the infected blood scandal will get their payments more quickly, ministers have promised. Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has told officials to "do what is necessary to remove barriers and speed up payments." The body set up to pay out compensation to victims and families will learn from programmes set up to deliver financial support during the pandemic, and will use records from the public inquiry into the scandal to help claimants prove their eligibility. The Cabinet Office says it will also "accept greater commercial risk" to make sure compensation payments come more quickly. Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "While no amount of money will compensate for the suffering that people have endured, I want to ensure that we're delivering payments as quickly as possible.' Some 30,000 people in the UK are thought to have been given infected blood or blood products up until the mid-1990s. More than 25,000 got hepatitis C, while a further 1,200 ended up with HIV in treatments for haemophilia. An estimated 3,000 people have died as a result. The 2,527-page report from the Infected Blood Inquiry, published last year (2024), found the scandal 'could largely have been avoided' and there was a "pervasive" cover-up to hide the truth. It identified a "catalogue of systemic, collective and individual failures" that amounted to a "calamity". Former prime minister Rishi Sunak issued a "wholehearted and unequivocal" apology to the victims, saying the publication of the report into the disaster was 'a day of shame for the British state'.
South Wales Argus
28-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds praises armed forces
Nick Thomas-Symonds, who represents Torfaen, attended the national flag-raising ceremony at New Palace Yard in Westminster to mark the start of Armed Forces Week. The ceremony, held on Monday, June 23, marked the beginning of a week of national events. Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "It was a solemn privilege to represent Torfaen at the Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony in Parliament. "We're incredibly proud of our Armed Forces community here in Torfaen, so during Armed Forces Week, it's important to show our support and thank those who protect our nation." The event was attended by MPs, military personnel, and Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov. Speeches were given by Air Commodore Philip Wadlow and defence secretary John Healey. A similar ceremony took place at Pontypool's Civic Centre. Councillor Gaynor James, Torfaen's Armed Forces champion, said: "It was an honour to speak at Torfaen Council's flag raising ceremony to mark Armed Forces Week. "Our Armed Forces community – both those currently serving and have served previously – have given so much to our country, and it's incredibly important we provide them the support necessary." She said she would continue working to ensure the armed forces community is supported across the borough.
South Wales Argus
23-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Dementia: Nationwide Cwmbran bank branch provides help
Torfaen MP, Nick Thomas-Symonds, visited the Cwmbran branch of Nationwide to see how its Fairer Futures programme is helping people in the area. Nationwide is now the biggest banking brand on the high street, with 605 branches across the UK. The three-year Fairer Futures project aims to help with societal issues, including dementia. Nationwide has teamed up with Dementia UK to place dementia specialist Admiral nurses in branches, including Cwmbran. These nurses have private areas in the branch where they offer 45-minute appointments to provide expert advice for anyone affected by dementia, regardless of who they bank with. Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "I was delighted to visit Nationwide in Cwmbran to hear how their Fairer Futures Programme has supported specialist advice for people living with dementia and their loved ones in Torfaen." Darren Lewis, branch manager at Nationwide in Cwmbran, said: "It was an honour to welcome Nick Thomas-Symonds MP into the branch to show the value of our in-branch dementia clinics to the local community. "At Nationwide, we want to ensure no one faces dementia alone and encourage anyone impacted by dementia to seek support by visiting a specialist Admiral Nurse in one of our branches."
