Latest news with #NickThomas-Symonds
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- 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
5 days ago
- 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."
South Wales Argus
19-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Warm Home Discount scheme to benefit thousands in Wales
An estimated 110,000 households across Wales will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter under a Labour government scheme. The scheme forms part of a wider plan to ease the cost of living for families across the UK. Nick Thomas-Symonds, MP for Torfaen, said: "This announcement from Labour will make a real difference to families in Torfaen." The expanded scheme will see nearly 2.7 million additional households across the UK become eligible for the discount, bringing the total number of recipients to 6.1 million. Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "Labour is determined to secure our energy system, protect it from the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets and give working people the security they deserve. "Through our mission for clean power, and the support announced today, this Labour government is putting money back in the pockets of working people." In addition to the Warm Home Discount expansion, the government plans to accelerate the introduction of a debt relief scheme aimed at tackling unsustainable energy debt built up during the energy crisis. The scheme will target households struggling with energy arrears and help reduce the overall cost of servicing bad debt, which currently affects all bill payers through higher energy costs. The new measures are part of the Labour government's broader mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower, improve energy security and permanently lower household bills. The Warm Home Discount scheme currently provides eligible low-income and vulnerable households with a one-off discount on their electricity bills during the winter months. The planned expansion and complementary debt relief scheme are intended to offer immediate support while also addressing longer-term energy affordability and sustainability. The plans follow Labour's commitment to deliver clean, secure and affordable energy for all.
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Wales Online
Three holiday destinations make major airport change to make it easier for UK passport-holders
Three holiday destinations make major airport change to make it easier for UK passport-holders There are now 48 places where people can use passport eGates British passport holders can use eGates to enter Tallinn from next year (Image: Getty ) A number of countries have now started allowing British passport-holders to use eGates when they travel. The number of places where British passport holders can use electronic passport gates is now 48, the UK Government says. Gates at Sofia Airport T2 in Bulgaria opened to British holidaymakers on Tuesday. Estonia will open eGates at Tallinn Airport from late 2026. Faro Airport opened its eGates to British passport-holders this month and it means Paris (via Eurostar and air), Rome, Tenerife, and Lisbon are all now in the scheme. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. The pledge to allow people to use the eGates was made at a summit last month between the UK Government and European Union. You can read about that deal here. Article continues below EU relations minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "Today's eGates win is great news for Brits travelling to the EU – and a clear sign of the government's pragmatic reset of our relationship with Brussels and European capitals." The UK Government say more countries are set to follow suit in the months to come. Where can British passport holders use eGates? Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris Orly Airport Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Marseille Provence Airport Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport Nice Airport Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord Terminal Eurostar London St Pancras Terminal Eurotunnel Folkestone Terminal Eurotunnel Calais Terminal Port of Calais Alicante Mallorca Tenerife Lanzarote Egates Gran Canaria Ibiza Naples Airport Rome Fiumicino Airport Rome Ciampino Airport Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport Venice Marco Polo Airport Cagliari Airport Milan Malpensa Airport Milan Linate Airport Bari Airport Brindisi Airport Bergamo Airport Treviso Airport Verona Villafranca Airport Florence Airport Pisa International Airport Turin Airport Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport Catania Airport Palermo Airport Lisbon Airport Terminal 1 Faro Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (exit only) Larnaca International Airport Paphos International Airport Brussels airport Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport Dublin airport Prague airport Terminal 1 Helsinki airport Article continues below There is however a warning that ports may trial, open, or close eGate periodically for operational reasons.
Scottish Sun
18-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Full list of 48 EU airports letting British holidaymakers use faster eGates this year – skipping long passport queues
And the five other popular holiday hotspots that already allow Brits to use them OPEN DOORS Full list of 48 EU airports letting British holidaymakers use faster eGates this year – skipping long passport queues Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MORE countries across Europe are allowing Brits to use their airport eGates - massively reducing wait times after a flight. The UK government has confirmed that Sofia Airport in Bulgaria will now allow British holidaymakers to use the much faster eGate queues. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Sofia Airport now allows Brits to use eGates Credit: Alamy 4 Half a million Brits visited Bulgaria last year Credit: Alamy Currently, Brits are facing hour-long queues at a number of popular holiday destinations due to be unable to use the eGates. Instead, they are directed to the alternative queue for all other passengers, meaning huge delays when going through passport security. However, earlier this month it was confirmed that Faro Airport - which connects Brits to the Algarve - would allow anyone from the UK to use their eGates. Around 300,000 Brits headed to the Algarve last year, out of the 2.5million visiting Portugal. Not only has Sofia followed suit, but Tallinn in Estonia has confirmed they will also remove the eGate ban for Brits from next year. Around 500,000 UK holidaymakers visited Bulgaria last year, with many heading to the popular Sunny Beach. And around 70,000 Brits visited Estonia last year. The opening of the ports will see 49 destinations permitting the use of eGates to Brits. This includes Paris, Rome, Lisbon and Tenerife. EU Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "Today's eGates win is great news for Brits travelling to the EU – and a clear sign of the Government's pragmatic reset of our relationship with Brussels and European capitals.' Heathrow airport chaos as people 'left to queue for five hours' after not being able to use eGates Full list of destinations allowing Brits to use eGates Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Paris Orly Airport Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg Marseille Provence Airport Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport Nice Airport Eurostar Paris Gare du Nord Terminal Eurostar London St Pancras Terminal Eurotunnel Folkestone Terminal Eurotunnel Calais Terminal Port of Calais Alicante Mallorca Tenerife Lanzarote Egates Gran Canaria Ibiza Naples Airport Rome Fiumicino Airport Rome Ciampino Airport Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport Venice Marco Polo Airport Cagliari Airport Milan Malpensa Airport Milan Linate Airport Bari Airport Brindisi Airport Bergamo Airport Treviso Airport Verona Villafranca Airport Florence Airport Pisa International Airport Turin Airport Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport Catania Airport Palermo Airport Lisbon Airport Terminal 1 Faro Airport Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (exit only) Larnaca International Airport Paphos International Airport Brussels airport Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport Dublin airport Prague airport Terminal 1 Helsinki airport Sofia airport Earlier this month, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said they wanted to reopen up the eGates to Brits again. He said: "We will be and are pressing to get on with this straight away. "Because for holiday makers wanting to get out this summer, they will want to know that they can do so easily, without delay and chaos." Last summer, Brits missed their flights in Spain due to long passport queues while waiting to get them stamped. Brits will also need to make sure they are still getting their passport stamped. Current rules only allow UK tourists to stay in Europe for 90 days out of 180 days, which is what the entry and exit stamps are for. Anyone seen to be overstaying can be banned from entering which happened to a Brit in Majorca back in 2022. 4 Tallinn will follow suit next year Credit: Alamy This will eventually be scrapped when the constantly-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) in introduced, set to be rolled out this October. New biometric checks will replace manual passport stamping.
