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Top story
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Budget won't get Wales moving, say business leaders
Business groups in Wales gave the Assembly Government’s austerity budget the thumbs down last night as it emerged that spending on transport would be cut back. The draft spending budget for the Department of the Economy and Transport will be reduced by 1.8 per cent for next year, while the education budget will fall by 1.3 per cent next year. Finance minister Jane Hutt said Wales’ funding settlement from Westminster had been cut more than that for other devolved administrations.
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Government and politics
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Capital spending cut sharply
The Assembly Government will unveil a £47m capital investment programme next week, but its Strategic Capital Investment Fund (SCIF), worth £267m this financial year, will not make any further commitments. The fund paid for schools, hospitals and affordable housing.
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Health and social services escape big cuts
Health and social services is the only department not to get a spending cut for next financial year in the Assembly Government's draft budget. Spending in that area will be held at £5.7bn, although that will mean a drop in real terms. Finance minister Jane Hutt said: "Our draft budget is about building resilience in our economy and in the provision of vital services."
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Councils to create contractor pool
Four councils in South West Wales are joining forces to create a pool of approved contractors and simplify the procurement process. Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire will work together in a move designed to save money for all four partners.
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Companies
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Demand fuels growth at Harry Tuffin
Harry Tuffin, the Montgomery-based supermarket and petrol station operator, enjoyed a 11 per cent lift in turnover to £59.3m in the year to January and said demand was strong for its products.
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Train strike averted
Train services across Wales will run as normal tomorrow after talks between Arriva Trains Wales and the Aslef and RMT trade unions averted strike action. The talks followed a vote in favour of strike action over pay.
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Flint food plant under threat
Headland Foods, a ready meal maker, has started a redundancy consultation with over 300 staff at its factory in Flint.
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People
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Morris moves to King Sturge
King Sturge has recruited former Knight Frank associate Rhydian Morris as a partner to lead its office agency team in Cardiff.
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Goldsworthy to take consultancy 4ward
Training and human resources consultancy 4ward Development has appointed former Midas People Management chief Simon Goldsworthy as a director. Goldsworthy will spearhead the planned growth of the Llantarnam-based company's business services division.
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