Latest news with #pre-Brexit
RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Kevin Zefi's stalled career shows domestic bliss can be best
For decades, the path to footballing stardom for young Irish talent was practically set in stone: pack your bags at 16, cross the Irish Sea, and try to carve out a career in England's ruthless footballing pyramid. It was a rite of passage that countless players undertook, some finding success, many more quietly drifting out of the system. That familiar conveyor belt halted with Brexit, forcing a generation to rethink how – and where – they pursue their footballing dreams. In some cases, it's meant staying put. In others, like Kevin Zefi's, it has meant going continental. Zefi's name re-entered the conversation in the last week after he featured for Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds in a mid-season friendly against Mansfield Town. At 20, it was a return – if only in a friendly setting – to Irish soil where he once made history. In 2020, as a 15-year-old, Zefi became the youngest goal-scorer in League of Ireland history when he scored for the Shamrock Rovers B team in the First Division. Not long after, he swapped Tallaght for Milan, signing with Inter. The dream move was sealed. What's followed, however, has been a reminder that potential doesn't always guarantee progress. Despite a subsequent transfer to Roma, Zefi hasn't played senior competitive football since his involvement with that Shamrock Rovers B team. It's easy to see why young players are enticed by the big European names. Who wouldn't want to wear the badge of Inter or Roma? The latter have offered Evan Ferguson an enviable season-long escape from his stalled Brighton career. But football isn't just about training in pristine facilities or posting pictures in club colours. It's about minutes, competition, and resilience – about becoming hardened in the reality of professional sport. That's something Zefi has missed out on. And he's not alone. Sport as a whole, not just football, has always asked young people to make difficult decisions early. Tennis, in particular, is infamous for this. As Conor Niland details in his recent award-winning memoir The Racket, moving away from home before you're old enough to drive is often the only way to access the coaching and competition needed to make it. Football, especially pre-Brexit, was much the same for Irish players. But there's a growing case to be made that staying in Ireland – at least for longer – might now be the healthier and more productive path. Take Mason Melia. He's the current poster boy for what the League of Ireland can offer a gifted teenager. Melia, still just 17, turned down European offers and instead committed himself to developing at home. Regular minutes, consistent coaching, and a clear development plan paid off – culminating in a move to Tottenham which he will make at the end of this current season. He hasn't bypassed the traditional model - he's simply delayed it. And crucially, he's arrived in England better prepared, both physically and mentally. More are following. Michael Noonan, Victor Oshinvuna, Owen Elding and others in the LOI pipeline are getting real exposure in a professional league that – while far from perfect – provides a stage, a challenge, and a support network close to home. The League of Ireland might be their best shot at reigniting a career These are not empty minutes in reserve fixtures or youth tournaments in Italy or Germany. This is men's football, competitive and demanding. For scouts and clubs abroad, it's compelling viewing and it's offering young players exposure in a competitive league and in some instances in European competitions. Which brings us back to Zefi. His journey isn't over – far from it. But for players like him who went abroad early, found themselves stalled, and now need to recalibrate, the League of Ireland might be their best shot at reigniting a career. Playing regularly in a league that's increasingly respected, covered, and scouted could do more for a player's development – and visibility – than training behind closed doors in Serie A. It's not about slamming the door on dreams of Inter or Roma. It's about being realistic about what different environments offer, and recognising that home – in this case, the League of Ireland – can be a launchpad, not a consolation prize. A straight line to success doesn't exist. Sometimes, as Zefi may now realise, the long way round is the only way forward.
Business News Wales
7 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Revisiting the Past, Planning for the Future
What if the key to revitalising a small nation's economy lies not in a bold new idea, but in revisiting a proven one from the past? Across three decades, one small agency in Wales was responsible for attracting over £11 billion in investment, equivalent to around £19 billion today. That agency was the Welsh Development Agency (WDA). Despite its controversial end marked by poor leadership and a lack of oversight, the WDA helped shape modern Wales. From attracting major players like Sony, Bosch, and Hoover, to supporting home-grown successes such as Admiral and the National Botanical Gardens, the WDA's legacy still looms large. As we grapple with economic uncertainty and regional inequality, is it time to ask: how does regional development work today, and what could we learn from the WDA to better shape the future? This blog explores how economic growth strategies have evolved in Wales and how the proposed Invest 2035 vision could bring about a new era of transformation. A Tale of Two Approaches: The WDA and What Followed From 1976 to 2006, the Welsh Development Agency helped bring billions of pounds in investment and thousands of jobs to Wales. In its prime, it was bold, agile, and commercial hallmarks of a hands-on economic revival model. Since its closure, regional development has taken a more bureaucratic and politically integrated path, more strategic perhaps, but arguably less impactful on the ground. The WDA was one of several regional development agencies (RDAs) in the UK and Ireland alongside Scottish Enterprise, Invest Northern Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland created to tackle regional economic disparities and drive national prosperity. Their core functions included: Generating economic growth and jobs Attracting inward investment Supporting local businesses and innovation Developing infrastructure and land Growing skills and workforce potential Addressing regional inequalities Driving long-term strategic planning Leveraging pre-Brexit EU and national funding Established under the Welsh Development Agency Act of 1975, the WDA aimed to reverse the decline of Wales' ailing economy following the gradual decrease in, coal, steel, and heavy industries due to lack of global competitiveness and better understanding of pollution. The WDA was created with the following aims: Promoting economic development Enhancing industrial competitiveness Creating and safeguarding jobs Improving the physical environment But in 2006, the WDA, along with ELWa (Education and Learning Wales) and the Wales Tourist Board was dissolved and absorbed into the Welsh Assembly Government (now the Welsh Government). Since then, various bodies like Invest Wales, the Development Bank of Wales, Business Wales, the four regional growth deals and investment zones have inherited elements of its mission. However, their fragmented nature and disconnected structures have made it difficult to fully track impact. The Context Then—and Now By the 1970s, Wales faced an economic crisis. Its reliance on declining heavy industries had led to unemployment, emigration, and stagnation. The WDA's closure decades later came amidst concerns over governance: poor procurement practices, leadership failures, and inadequate oversight. Yet these issues were not insurmountable, they highlight the need for strong leadership and robust accountability in any new arm's-length body. What's striking is how familiar today's challenges feel. Deindustrialisation's legacy is still affecting Welsh communities, and the need to bring new industries and anchor companies to Wales remains as urgent as ever. Let's compare the two models we've experienced: This dual experience offers Wales a unique vantage point: an opportunity to blend what worked with what's needed now. Lessons from the WDA: What Still Matters Today The WDA may belong to the past, but the challenges it endeavoured to overcome, economic transition, job creation, and community regeneration are still with us. As we look to the future with strategies like Invest 2035, the new UK industrial strategy, the WDA's history offers vital insights and lessons from the past. Here they are split into two categories of economic development and governance of public bodies. Economic Development 1. Strategic Autonomy Drives Impact Success requires freedom to act. The WDA thrived because it had statutory powers and operational independence, allowing it to move quickly and adapt to change. Today's more bureaucratic processes often hinder such agility. 2. Inward Investment Works, but must be balanced Foreign investment can spark transformation—but not without risks. While companies like Sony and LG brought jobs and profile, many left when conditions changed. A renewed agency must strike a balance between attracting FDI and supporting home-grown enterprises. 3. Place-Based Development Delivers Results The WDA didn't just write strategies, it changed landscapes. From revitalising Cardiff Bay to restoring valley towns, its work was visible and practical. Today's more remote planning structures often miss this kind of tangible impact. Governance of Public Bodies 1. Clarity of Purpose is Crucial A clear, legally defined mandate like the WDA's in 1976 builds legitimacy. But this must be paired with transparency and minimal political interference to maintain focus and effectiveness. 2. Independent Yet Accountable Structures Work Best The WDA's semi-autonomous model allowed for innovation, but over time, concerns about oversight emerged. The lesson? Independence needs robust scrutiny and accountability, not micromanagement. 3. Merging into Government Dilutes Impact While integration can reduce duplication, it often stifles innovation, reducing agility and responsiveness. The Present Challenge: Fragmentation and Confusion Today, Wales faces a complex web of more than 50 business support and membership bodies focusing on manufacturing and energy alone. each with its own remit, often disconnected from each other. Meanwhile, advisory roles are spread across groups like the Future Generations Commissioner, the National Infrastructure Commission, and the long-standing (but little-known) Wales Investment Development Advisory Panel (WIDAB). WIDAB created under the same Act as the WDA is still operating. In contrast, Scotland and Ireland have shown the power of unified, one-stop development hubs. A modernised Welsh Development Agency could serve the same purpose: a single gateway for investors to understand land availability, funding, talent, infrastructure, and cultural context all in one place. What Comes Next? The new UK Industrial Strategy presents a timely opportunity. A reimagined WDA, let's call it WDA 2.0 (or Menter Cymru?) could combine the best of Wales' past and present approaches to economic development, driving Invest 2035forward. 5 Ways WDA 2.0 Can Deliver Invest 2035: 1. Turn Strategy into Local Action Adapt UK-wide priorities to local Welsh needs Create tailored regional plans (e.g., green energy in Anglesey) Link SMEs to national funding streams 2. Act as a One-Stop Investment Hub Market Wales globally in target sectors Provide ready-made investment packages De-risk projects with co-investment and infrastructure prep 3. Manage Strategic Sites and Infrastructure Identify and prepare high-potential industrial land Accelerate planning and utilities coordination Lead redevelopment in priority zones 4. Support Innovation and R&D Build public–private–academic partnerships, develop close relationships with our universities Grow clusters in agri-tech, advanced manufacturing, and AI Provide support services—skills, incubation, funding access 5. Ensure Accountability and Regional Balance Track results by region: jobs, emissions, investment Prioritise equitable distribution beyond southeast Wales Report transparently to government and citizens Final Thoughts: WDA 2.0 As Wales approaches another pre-election cycle, voters and businesses alike will ask: how will economic growth be delivered in my community? Where are the jobs? How do we attract the infrastructure and companies we need? It may be time for a new age of regional development in Wales, one where we take the best bits of both the independent and government led models and ditch the bad, one that's independent but accountable, place-based but globally minded, rooted in Welsh values but fit for a digital, green, innovation-driven world. If we're serious about shaping a prosperous future for Wales, we need more than just ambition—we need the right tools. A revitalised and modernised WDA could be one of them. Is it time to get started?
The Herald Scotland
19-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
10 years to make indy the settled will? Not a hope
The current administration has been let off the hook for far too many years through the absence of robust, effective and dynamic opposition. The result of this has led to unimaginative, lazy policy-making and the highest taxation levels in the UK to no visible benefit of anyone. The most vehement and hard-hitting critics of the SNP have come from within its own ranks, when even their long-held allegiances weren't enough to quell their outrage at their party's management and policies. There is no spark or dynamism from any quarter of Scottish politics. Scottish ministers are only rarely seen in public except to trot out to apologise profusely for some failure or another. With a predicted high number of established, long-serving MSPs standing down at the next election, along will come a raft of untried, untested candidates lacking in political experience to take their places. The current batch of [[SNP]] MPs is largely anonymous and the much-lauded 'newbies' (for example, Neil Gray, Màiri McAllan and even Kate Forbes) have not exactly set the heather on fire, and many of the current ministers will not be missed. So in answer to the original question posed by Andy Maciver, I would say the likelihood of 10 years being long enough for independence to become the settled will under the SNP, is as unlikely as the Arran ferries fiasco being resolved in a similar timeframe. But we can but live in hope… Colin Allison, Blairgowrie. Read more letters • I read with some interest Andy Maciver's article today. I would call it part two, his part 1 being last Friday ("Move over, Labour and Tories: there's room for a new party", The Herald, July 11). Both articles are excellent, show good insight and are worth a read. The original was in relation to Labour's failed attempt at effective welfare reform. Mr Maciver's opinion seems to be that without significant welfare reform the current financial position within the country is not sustainable. I would agree with that. This week's article provides an independence slant to the argument in that he sees opportunity for the SNP to make political capital with this. He unfortunately does not offer any suggestion as to what it may do. He also conveniently forgets that the "welfare class" (Mr Maciver's term) provides much core support to the SNP and that the SNP has already committed to increasing welfare spending. Also the the middle third of electorate he describes as " they probably work" and are open to the independence argument, are currently paying more tax than anywhere else in the UK. Maybe if next week he is to provide a part 3 he could advise how the SNP could ditch these two flagship policies and still hang onto their vote. Kenny Watson, Renfrew. Romanticising independence Ruth Marr (Letters, July 17) claims that "many of our European friends and neighbours would welcome an independent Scotland into the EU". I'll bet they would, because we'd be net contributors as the UK always was, pre-Brexit to the tune of some £9 billion annually (equivalent to roughly £160 from every adult). Indeed the per capita sum would be a lot more, since by then the ultimate basket-case Ukraine would have been admitted. As for "friends and neighbours", it romanticises what upon independence would have to be a sober calculation, at a referendum, of national and personal advantage. George Morton, Rosyth. Let's end the secrecy Who was the member of the Tory government who decided that a super-injunction should be put in place to make sure that neither the Members of Parliament nor the general public should be aware that this cover-up over the release of the list of Afghans eligible for a safe refuge in the UK after helping out our British forces there to maintain law and order ("Tory ex-ministers defend record as pressure mounts after Afghan data leak", The Herald, July 18)? Rule by super-injunction is hardly the way to run a democracy. It amounts to keeping people totally in the dark, costing the country large amounts of money and threatening the freedom of anyone who, privy to that knowledge, wanted to be a whistleblower on that very subject. We surely cannot be going down the route favoured by autocracies which revel in secrecy and intimidation buttressed by agencies specialising in informers to keep the public both passive and compliant. This situation must be thoroughly explored and the persons responsible for initiating that course of action brought to book for a strategy that brings democracies into even more disrepute than they already deserve. Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs. • The word scandal is overused, but recent revelations about thousands of Afghans being moved to the UK without any public disclosure let alone debate is scandalous. The Government ought not to be conducting large-scale immigration in secret. It also ought not to be spending taxpayers' money to gag the press from covering a story that is undoubtedly in the public interest to know about. This attack on the free press is both unprecedented and utterly unjustifiable. We already have far more immigrants from cultures vastly different to our own than we can or should support. Afghanistan is a backward Islamic society with a strong tendency to violence and very different conception of society to our own, a lesson we learned on our misadventures there from the 19th century onwards. Secretly airlifting thousands of Afghans to live here at our expense and purposefully hiding that fact is an outrageous attack on the fabric of our society and democracy by those supposed to lead it. Christopher Ruane, Lanark. Give locals a say on wind farms Most renewable energy is generated in Scotland and zonal pricing (which the UK Government has just rejected) would have lowered prices. But this is only part of the problem in the privatised energy industry. For example, the price of (cheaper) electricity is also tied to the price of (expensive fossil fuel) gas. Profits move out of the country. The devolved Scottish Government does not control energy but does control planning. The planning permission is in a mess; it doesn't look at the numbers of wind farms in one area nor the grid and infrastructure problems. Applications for pylons and big wind farms are decided centrally, by ECU ([[Scottish Government]]'s Energy Consents Unit). Just now SSEN Transmission has a massive application for a project at a tiny hamlet at Fanellan. It will involve a 66-acre substation on 800 acres of farmland( 600 football pitches in size). Local people need a meaningful say on what happens in their backyard and the countryside. In the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and elsewhere where wind turbines are, energy goes elsewhere – mainly to England (34% in 2023). This is likely to go up hugely with the construction of the super connector from Peterhead to Yorkshire. Now 53 community councils have asked for a halt of development and for real local involvement and an energy strategy to benefit the Highland Council and [[Scottish Government]]. Professor Brett Christophers who studies renewables, suggests that the state should play a bigger role: "For me [public ownership] is [the answer]. I think the UK is the standout case, not just in electricity but in water too, for public ownership of these assets.' 'In almost every conceivable regard, privatisation has been a bit of a disaster." Scotland needs an independent government implementing a wellbeing economy. Pol Yates, Edinburgh. Is the planning system for wind farms fit for purpose? (Image: PA) Frustration with ScotRail I suggest there should be an inquiry into [[Scottish Government]]-run ScotRail's fitness for purpose. Twice this week there have been major disruptions due to problems with the overhead line equipment. Today, I wanted to go from Bearsden to Helensburgh. I checked before making my journey (as we are advised to do) and found there were limited services from Anniesland to Dumbarton Central and from Dumbarton Central to [[Helensburgh]] Central. I took the bus to Anniesland, where the majority of trains were shown as cancelled with some running. The 14:55 service was shown as "on time" until 14:57 when it was cancelled. The 15:26 was shown as "on time" until 15:28 when it was cancelled. Other passengers on the platform shared my frustration. It seems we have a sophisticated computer-driven passenger information system that is not fit for purpose when serious disruption occurs. No explanation was offered by any person. Automated messages saying "Please listen for further announcements" are clearly inadequate for anyone trying to make a decision about travel options. I cannot believe it is not possible to make an "all stations" announcement. What would ScotRail do in a true emergency where there was no automated "script" available? The irony is that I was going to Helensburgh to pick up my car from the garage. Scott Simpson, Bearsden. Airport questions Your article detailing the increase in "drop-off" charges at UK airports ("Most UK airports raise drop-off fees while busy EU hubs still don't charge", The Herald, July 17) made interesting reading, particularly the reasoning for the increases as provided by Karen Dee, chief executive of Airports UK. I am sure the multitude of air travellers who avail themselves of this facility must wonder: do the taxi drivers or bus companies who also use this facility pay some form of charge? Perhaps the chief executive might like to inform the air traveller, and the general public of the nature and detail of the mandate the various airport owners have received from government and local authorities. Mike Dooley, Ayr. Hey, what about me? The result of Peter Martin's diligent search for a gender-neutral personal pronoun (Letters, July 19) would, he admits, lead to yet more disputation. My bete noire is hearing that John and Jean have invited Joan and I to dinner. The use of "I" instead of " me" in this context pervades all walks of life, including those whose job it is to speak publicly on a regular basis. My raising the subject at my golf club led to a heated argument, not normal in that environment. I used to think that only posh people made this mistake and that I might be considered vulgar in declaring that Jim had driven Jack and me into town. David Miller, Milngavie.
Observer
16-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Voters vent at Labour after disorganised first year
Voters have delivered a withering verdict on the Labour government after a week in which the anniversary of their election victory was marred by shambolic U-turns and infighting. Voters' disapproval of the government appears to have intensified with a growing number of people opposing the government's high-tax-high-spending policies, according to the latest Freshwater Strategy poll. The poll of eligible voters found that more than half (55 per cent) believe the Chancellor Rachel Reeves should resign while prime minister, Keir Starmer, who has insisted Reeves will remain Chancellor for a 'very long time', is also facing the pressure. Starmer's approval ratings have crashed to minus 38; making him the least popular politician in a monthly survey with fully 61 per cent of Brits now reporting a negative opinion of the PM. The chancellor also slipped to an approval rating of minus 37. A majority of Brits (65 per cent) said Labour has done a good job on easing the cost of living with the same percentage unimpressed by efforts to reduce immigration. A similar percentage of voters said the government has done a poor job on welfare reform. The latest snapshot provides insight into the challenges facing the government just 12 months on from their election win, with more voters now seeing immigration as the most important issue facing the UK. Small boat crossings are 50 per cent higher this year than at the same point in 2024, while forecasters believe that overall levels of migration will only be cut to 250,000 entrants a year (pre-Brexit levels) by 2030. Labour ranked worse than the Conservative Party in terms of trust on reducing immigration. Voters also put inflation near the top of their list of most important issues. UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, speaks at the House of Commons, in this file photo. — Reuters Economists in the financial district and at the Bank of England have warned that Rachel Reeves' taxes on employers through higher national insurance contributions (NICs) was feeding through to higher prices in shops. The poll shows that only 25 per cent of voters have confidence in the government's effort to spark economic growth, with 72 per cent either not very or not at all confident. Treasury officials including Rachel Reeves have celebrated a string of interest rate cuts in the last year but global economic turmoil due to tariffs and higher taxes risks delaying further reductions in the coming months, policymakers have warned. Reeves could decide to hike taxes further in this year's autumn Budget given unfunded commitments on welfare spending and the partial restoration of winter fuel payments, altogether costing more than £5 billion. Meanwhile, Reeves is facing renewed pressure to scrap the ring-fencing regime imposed on British banking giants in a bid to bolster the sector's international competitiveness and bolster economic growth. The Chancellor has been lobbied by top banking chiefs to ditch the 'redundant' 15-year-old legislation which requires major banks to separate their retail banking operations from their investment banking activities. But Reeves has now been urged to re-think the regime by the wider financial services industry, KPMG data reveals. Almost two-thirds of financial services leaders have called for a 'ring-fence' which would adapt the current regime. Meanwhile one in five have called for the rules to be completely abolished. Global and UK head of financial services at KPMG, Karim Haji, said: 'Whichever side of the argument you sit on, the industry is calling out for fresh thinking on ring-fencing. It's not 2008 anymore. Everything has changed, from the state of geopolitics to the way the world does business and the rules need to reflect that'. A majority of leaders, 80 per cent, believe overhauling the system would help drive economic growth by enabling more efficient deployment of capital. Analysts have pegged NatWest and Lloyds as the top beneficiaries of a ring-fencing overhaul.
Economic Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Starmer says 'one in, one out' migrant deal with France to begin within weeks
Macron says the today was about a "reset" on a bilateral level", explaining that trade has topped pre-Brexit levels, which is good for the British economy. Elaborating on it, he adds that the UK and France have several co-operation agreements, and are strengthening their partnerships in civilian nuclear power - EDF in Sizewell C. He says they are also co-operating in space. Show more 08:03 10:09 11:50 02:40 02:05 04:54 03:03 03:04 04:40 02:49 02:19 02:09 04:30 07:24 02:57 08:58 13:29 09:30 09:41 11:11 04:05 03:10 03:03 08:17 04:16 02:31 02:05 03:12
