Sue Robb of 4Children talks to Julie Laughton and Alison Britton from the Department for Education about the role of childminders in delivering the 30 hours free entitlement.
Plans for UK's first Net Zero Railway progress
The former Nant Helen opencast site and Onllwyn Washery in South Wales has been acquired from opencast mining company Celtic Energy in preparation for the UK's first Net Zero Railway.
The 700 hectare site will be transformed and developed to be a site for railway innovation, including research and development, testing, verification and certification for mainline passenger and freight railways.
Outline planning consent for the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) was granted by Neath Port Talbot Council and Powys County Council in 2021.
Consultants and contractors are now working to design the site with construction set to begin in early 2023.
The programme is split into three phases, with phase 1 the provision of sidings for rolling stock from summer 2023 and phase 2, the building of two electrified test loops and supporting infrastructure in 2024. Phase 3 is the addition of expanded stabling, maintenance, commissioning facilities, research facilities, and a hotel and business park from 2025.
On a visit to the site, "Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, said: "The Global Centre of Rail Excellence being constructed here in Wales is one of the most critical and creative infrastructure projects happening anywhere in Europe.
"Its significance to the local community and the Welsh economy should not be underestimated. This is a vital regeneration project which will create much-needed jobs and skills. I’m confident it will support a bright industrial future for the Dulais Valley and the surrounding area."
Latest News
17/05/2024 - 09:17
Virgin Media O2 Business has signed an agreement with CCS in an attempt to boost digitalisation efforts across government bodies and public organisations.
16/05/2024 - 12:44
Public libraries will share a new efficient digital library platform which will make the service more consistent and improve access to books, e-books and other library services across Wales.
16/05/2024 - 10:59
The government said rough sleepers will be offered "greater support" as well as tackling anti-social behaviour through amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill.
16/05/2024 - 09:57
Counter fraud experts representing 13 local authorities across the country met to share best practice in the fight on fraud.
15/05/2024 - 10:17
The Scottish Parliament has approved legislation giving Scottish ministers powers to assess and remediate buildings which have unsafe cladding, where consent of the owners cannot be provided.
Company Focus
With the encroaching 2050 Net Zero target set out by the UK Government, there is now a concerted effort by all industries and commercial spaces to meet these targets. This has been further supported by the amended 2035 UK ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel-powered cars and vans.
Event Diary
UKREiiF has quickly become a must-attend in the industry calendar for Government departments and local authorities.
Registration is now open for the award-winning Road Transport Expo 2024 (RTX) – the tradeshow with a dedicated “all about the truck” focus.
Supplier Profiles
At GeoEnergy Design, we're on a mission to disrupt the traditional way heating and cooling ha
Latest Features
Professor Harith Alani, director of the Knowledge Management Institute at the Open University explains how AI can be used for good and bad.
Alex Lawrence, head of health & social care, techUK sets out techUK’s Five Point Plan for CareTech.
