Welsh government

THE Welsh Government has begun legal action against two firms who gave advice on a land sale that resulted in Welsh taxpayers missing out on tens of millions of pounds of funding. In 2012, the government sold around 15 sites across the country - including Wonastow Road fields, in Monmouth, and Imperial Park, in Newport. For example, the Monmouth site was sold by the Welsh Government for around £900,000 as part of the overall sale, when just three years later the same land sold for £12 million. The Regeneration Investment Fund for Wales (RIFW), an arms-length body set up by the Welsh Government, sold them all together for just under £22 million in 2012. Rebecca Evans, minister for housing and regeneration, said: “On December 19, RIFW issued legal proceedings in the Business and Property Courts in Wales for breach of contract and professional negligence against Amber Fund Management and Lambert Smith Hampton Group Limited in connection with the sale of parcels … [Read more...] about Welsh Government sues firms who gave advice on land sale which lost taxpayers millions

THE Welsh Government's budget for the 2018-2019 financial year - which includes a new £50 million railway station in Llanwern - has been given the thumbs-up. AMs signed off the budget, which includes Wales' first taxes for 800 years, yesterday. Introducing the budget in the Assembly, finance secretary Mark Drakeford said the economy of Wales and the UK as a whole was suffering as a result of "foolish austerity policies". He added the budget is seven per cent lower in real terms than it was a decade ago. "This final budget has the services that people in Wales rely upon at its heart," he said. "It provides extra investment in our health service and in local government. "It takes head-on the challenges we face today in homelessness and in improving air quality. It creates new opportunities for the future by investing in education and in our economy." The budget, which includes plans for a new £50 million railway station in Llanwern, was developed as part of a … [Read more...] about Welsh Government budget for 2018-2019 is approved

THE Welsh Government has bought a three per cent stake in prestigious car manufacturer TVR, which is opening a plant in Ebbw Vale. The £500,000 stake has been handed to the firm along with a £2 million loan as part of its plans to move into a 200,000 sq ft site in Blaenau Gwent A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “As part of our initial support package to commit TVR to manufacturing in Wales and following independent and specialist due diligence, we provided a repayable commercial loan to the company in early 2016. This was made alongside a private sector lender. "At the same time Welsh Government also invested £500,000 into equity on the same terms as other investors. "This gives the Welsh Government a minority stake of just below three per cent that will ensure the Welsh tax payer benefits from the company’s successes." But Welsh Conservative shadow economy secretary Russell George has called for "tangible evidence that this investment represents … [Read more...] about Welsh Government takes out stake in TVR

THE proposal by the Welsh Government regarding the smacking of children is a move too far.  As a child, I was often told off but if I took liberties I received a smack it did me no harm and taught me the right from wrong. I feel sorry for teachers of today, as they have no control over children. Take the case of a teacher when a pupil disliked him went home and told her parents that she had been smacked by her teacher he was suspended but she admitted later she had lied, but the teacher lost his job and the pupil, got what she wanted. During my school days, I received a correctional cane but if I went home and told my parents I would receive a smack from my Dad for misbehaving in school. I wonder how long it will take the so-called government to say there is too much discipline in the forces. Mr D R Hall … [Read more...] about LETTERS: Welsh Government proposal on smacking children ‘a move too far’