Latest news with #MikeHedges
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Construction firm invests in next-gen leadership
A family-owned construction firm is set to strengthen the future with its new training programme. Beard, which has a Southampton office, launched its initiative, Skills to Build, to enhance workforce development. The move comes as the construction industry faces increasingly complex projects and regulatory challenges, raising the bar for team skills and technical expertise. The initiative aims to equip Beard's 350 employees in Southampton, Swindon, Bristol, Guildford, and Oxford with the skills to meet these demands confidently. EmpowerHer team supports women's growth at Beard Construction (Image: Beard Construction) The programme is built around three pillars: a virtual technical team, sector specialists, and external partners. Mike Hedges, the company's operations director, said: "We have a wealth of knowledge within our team and we are excited to have now developed a more structured approach to sharing skills and expertise, ensuring projects are delivered faultlessly for our customers. "The elements of Skills to Build create a support system that enhances project delivery, develops a resilient workforce, fosters collaborative working relationships, and builds long-term technical resilience across the company." Beard's focus on training saw more than 600 days of formal training delivered to employees over the past year. READ MORE: Cunard introduces over 30 new excursions for travellers This included 11 workers completing the firm's Leadership Development Programme, equipping them with the skills to hold senior positions in the near future. The success of this initiative has led to the creation of a 'Next Gen' edition of the training, aimed at helping young professionals develop leadership and management skills early in their careers. Melissa Barber, head of people and communications at Beard, said: "We're proud to invest in our people. "It ensures that we continue to grow and succeed together – our team are central to our success." A key part of her work was the creation of EmpowerHer, a bespoke initiative tailored for women in the construction industry. This aims to equip women with a growth mindset, teaching them how to communicate with clarity and confidence, give and receive feedback effectively, and develop resilience. Melissa added: "EmpowerHer is designed to address this, creating a safe space for our women to develop, challenge themselves, and build confidence."
South Wales Argus
27-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Senedd hears civil servants ‘obstructed' public appointments inquiry
Mike Hedges likened the Senedd's public accounts committee inquiry to an episode of political satire sitcom Yes Minister, only 'without the humour but with the obfuscation'. Mr Hedges, a Labour member of the committee, was critical of senior civil servants in the Welsh Government following the two-and-a-half year inquiry which found serious failings. He said: 'We met with senior government civil servants who were at best unhelpful or – in my view and possibly that of other members of the committee – positively obstructive.' During a debate on the committee's damning reports – which made 23 recommendations – Mr Hedges said he was annoyed and disappointed by the Welsh Government's response. He said: 'I, like other members, consider the response disgraceful to an inquiry about public appointments, showing disrespect bordering on contempt – not just for those of us who are members of that committee but for the Senedd itself.' He told the Senedd: 'Scrutiny means trying to make things better. It's very difficult to try and make things better when you're dealing with people who don't want to.' Plaid Cymru's Peredur Owen Griffiths told the Senedd: 'At a time when public confidence in our institutions is lower than ever, often for valid reasons, it's vital that high standards are maintained in terms of public appointments.' Warning of complacency, he said: 'The conclusions of the report are extremely critical…. Worse still, the government's weak responses to the committee's recommendations undermine any belief that it will learn any lessons… and this is part of a wider pattern.' Mr Owen Griffiths expressed concerns about almost a quarter of appointees in Wales in 2020-21 having declared political activity, compared with less than 6% in Westminster. He called for a dedicated public appointments system as in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where country-specific arrangements exist. Jane Hutt responded to the June 25 debate for the Welsh Government: 'It is regrettable that historic delivery in this area has fallen short of expectation. That's why I've asked for and we are delivering a root-and-branch reform programme.' The Labour minister pointed to data, which had not been interrogated by the committee, showing 'encouraging' progress on ensuring appointments are truly reflective of Wales. 'The direction is clear,' she said. 'We're taking action. We're listening. We are improving.'
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Wales tourism tax timeline as proposals for changes get voted on
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 Senedd members have been debating amendments to the Wales tourism tax - with a number of proposals shot down. If the bill completes its passage through the Welsh Parliament, £1.30 a person before VAT could be charged on overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation. A lower rate of 80p would apply to hostels and campsites. The 22 Welsh councils would be given the powers to decide whether to introduce a local levy from 2027 at the earliest. The Welsh Tories wanted a 10-night cap on the levy as well as exemptions for educational trips, charities, members of the armed forces and veterans. They also wanted to exempt yachts and other boats from plans for a £1.30 a night visitor levy in the future. All these were voted down by members. A Plaid Cymru amendment to exempt all under 16s was also defeated. But Senedd members were able to agree other amendments, including an exemption for under 18s from the lower rate. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Sam Rowlands, the Tory shadow finance secretary, introduced an amendment to the tourism tax bill to remove powers for ministers to extend the levy to berths and moorings in future. He argued extending the bill to marinas would be unnecessarily complicated and burdensome, adding that boating is a leisure and sporting activity. He said: 'To be clear, those that provide berths and moorings are not providing visitor accommodation in any real sense. By their nature, those vessels… move around.' Mr Rowlands told Senedd members: 'It's quite clear that boaters have a minimal… impact on local services because they are self-contained within the berth or mooring area.' But Senedd members voted 3-1 against the Conservative's proposal as the finance committee considered nearly 160 amendments to the bill. Mike Hedges, who represents Swansea East, said: 'As I tell people quite regularly, we've got a marina there and I can tell you now – when people come in by boat into that marina, they don't stay in the marina… they go into the city centre and they use the services there.' Mr Hedges said: 'The council taxpayer of Swansea is covering those costs,' as he argued marinas should have been included in the bill from the outset. His Labour colleague Mark Drakeford agreed: 'It is right that [for] a yacht arriving at Swansea or Cardiff marina… the yacht owner should pay the levy just as somebody staying in a nearby hotel or the Cardiff council campsite in Pontcanna will be.' The first minister-turned-finance secretary said: 'I can see no case in principle why those visiting in boats and yachts should find themselves not captured by the levy.' Prof Drakeford explained: 'The bill, as the [Welsh] Government presents it, doesn't have a worked-up scheme for berths and moorings as Mike Hedges would have wished. But the complexity of it is real and was beyond our ability to resolve all that complexity in the bill itself. So, what the bill provides is a power to return to this issue in future when some of those practical challenges can have been more fully discussed.' Mr Rowlands responded: 'It does feel like an afterthought… for me, without the proper revision and understanding of this in the first instance, it shouldn't be in here at all.' Prof Drakeford described the Welsh Government's approach as more progressive and targeted, removing a large proportion of educational stays from the levy. He said: 'If you're going to narrow the [tax] base, the only way to compensate in terms of revenue... is by raising the levy charge on those who remain within the scope.' Members voted to raise the lower and higher rates by 5p to 80p and £1.30 respectively. The bill now moves to the third step: consideration of amendments by the whole Senedd: before a crunch vote on the final version at stage four. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
24-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Wales tourism tax timeline as proposals for changes get voted on
Senedd members have been debating amendments to the Wales tourism tax - with a number of proposals shot down. If the bill completes its passage through the Welsh Parliament, £1.30 a person before VAT could be charged on overnight stays in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation. A lower rate of 80p would apply to hostels and campsites. The 22 Welsh councils would be given the powers to decide whether to introduce a local levy from 2027 at the earliest. The Welsh Tories wanted a 10-night cap on the levy as well as exemptions for educational trips, charities, members of the armed forces and veterans. They also wanted to exempt yachts and other boats from plans for a £1.30 a night visitor levy in the future. All these were voted down by members. A Plaid Cymru amendment to exempt all under 16s was also defeated. But Senedd members were able to agree other amendments, including an exemption for under 18s from the lower rate. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Sam Rowlands, the Tory shadow finance secretary, introduced an amendment to the tourism tax bill to remove powers for ministers to extend the levy to berths and moorings in future. He argued extending the bill to marinas would be unnecessarily complicated and burdensome, adding that boating is a leisure and sporting activity. He said: 'To be clear, those that provide berths and moorings are not providing visitor accommodation in any real sense. By their nature, those vessels… move around.' Mr Rowlands told Senedd members: 'It's quite clear that boaters have a minimal… impact on local services because they are self-contained within the berth or mooring area.' But Senedd members voted 3-1 against the Conservative's proposal as the finance committee considered nearly 160 amendments to the bill. Mike Hedges, who represents Swansea East, said: 'As I tell people quite regularly, we've got a marina there and I can tell you now – when people come in by boat into that marina, they don't stay in the marina… they go into the city centre and they use the services there.' Mr Hedges said: 'The council taxpayer of Swansea is covering those costs,' as he argued marinas should have been included in the bill from the outset. His Labour colleague Mark Drakeford agreed: 'It is right that [for] a yacht arriving at Swansea or Cardiff marina… the yacht owner should pay the levy just as somebody staying in a nearby hotel or the Cardiff council campsite in Pontcanna will be.' The first minister-turned-finance secretary said: 'I can see no case in principle why those visiting in boats and yachts should find themselves not captured by the levy.' Prof Drakeford explained: 'The bill, as the [Welsh] Government presents it, doesn't have a worked-up scheme for berths and moorings as Mike Hedges would have wished. But the complexity of it is real and was beyond our ability to resolve all that complexity in the bill itself. So, what the bill provides is a power to return to this issue in future when some of those practical challenges can have been more fully discussed.' Mr Rowlands responded: 'It does feel like an afterthought… for me, without the proper revision and understanding of this in the first instance, it shouldn't be in here at all.' Prof Drakeford described the Welsh Government's approach as more progressive and targeted, removing a large proportion of educational stays from the levy. He said: 'If you're going to narrow the [tax] base, the only way to compensate in terms of revenue... is by raising the levy charge on those who remain within the scope.' Members voted to raise the lower and higher rates by 5p to 80p and £1.30 respectively. The bill now moves to the third step: consideration of amendments by the whole Senedd: before a crunch vote on the final version at stage four.
Western Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Senedd criticises 'ill-judged' decision on renters' rights
Mike Hedges expressed concerns about the Senedd consenting to the UK Government making law in a devolved area. He said the Welsh Government provided no clear rationale for "piggybacking" on a UK bill, adding that a bill tailored to Wales' needs could have already become law by autumn 2024. "This would have meant that the benefits of the legislation could have been felt sooner by citizens in Wales," said the Labour Senedd member. "Moreover, the provisions could have been consulted on by Senedd committees and subject to more debate and scrutiny, with a view to producing better outcomes." The renters' rights bill amends two Senedd Acts – with little input from elected members in Cardiff Bay. Mr Hedges warned: "The Senedd is in effect being provided with a fait accompli: vote in favour or risk losing important legislation on housing". Wales' housing minister Jayne Bryant responded: "Practically, we could not deliver within the timeframe of this bill without making sacrifices elsewhere. "We could have looked to deliver a discrete bill but it would have been delivered further down the line and I'm not prepared to make tenants in Wales who are being discriminated against wait… and nor did I want to jeopardise other important legislation." She added there was nothing to stop people in Wales responding to the UK Government's consultation. Labour's Alun Davies intervened: "This is essentially an argument to go back to the pre-2011, 1999 settlement, that there's no need for Welsh consultation." "That is unacceptable, minister, I'm afraid." But he said he would vote along party lines. Laura Anne Jones, the Conservatives' shadow housing secretary, opposed the bill due to concerns surrounding a potential ban on no-fault evictions. Senedd members backed legislative consent for the bill, 37-14, with the Tories and Rhys ab Owen – who sits as an independent – voting against.
