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Press release: Wales goods exports up by 12.3% in 2017

Exports of goods have risen 12.3% (£16.4billion) in Wales during 2017 compared to the previous 12 months, the latest HMRC figures show (published Thursday 8th March).

The figures show that Wales is home to nearly 4,000 exporters with an average value per exporter of more than £4.2million.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

The big increase in Welsh exports shows our home-grown companies are succeeding on the world stage and that there is a global demand for the high quality goods and services that we have to offer.

But there is so much more that we can achieve. I want Welsh businesses to get out into the wider world, to trade and do business. That is why we are sharing the advice, guidance and support available from the UK Government, in particular from the Department for International Trade, for Welsh businesses in our Wales Export Guide.

From advice and guidance to financial assistance and support to attend trade fairs, the UK Government.has a wide range of support available to businesses looking to build their brand abroad as we continue to increase Wales’ significant impact on the UK’s burgeoning export rates.

International Trade Secretary, Dr Liam Fox said:

The UK is entering a period of unprecedented economic opportunity, with latest figures showing a surge in exports together with an increase in manufacturing output at the start of the year – this adds up to a positive picture for the British economy.

As an international economic department, we are supporting UK businesses from every part of the country to succeed on the global stage, which in turn creates more good jobs and prosperity at home”.

This positive picture is also reflected in the latest Office for National Statistics figures (published Friday, 9th March). These show that UK exports rose 11.5% to £625.9bn in the year from February 2017 to the end of January 2018.

The ONS stats also show the UK’s renowned service sector continues to thrive with exports up 10.1% to £281.4bn, increasing the service surplus to £107.9bn.

Exports continue to grow faster than imports with the overall trade deficit narrowing by £12.8bn from £41.6bn to £28.8bn.

The GREAT Festival of Innovation, taking place from 21 – 24 March in Hong Kong will showcase some of the best British businesses to the Asian market. The Festival will bring together business leaders, Government Ministers and the latest ground-breaking technologies from the UK and across Asia.

Link: Press release: Wales goods exports up by 12.3% in 2017
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Plymouth Skip Hire boss nearly jailed for dumping rubble

A judge has told a Plymouth man he escaped prison ‘by the skin of his teeth’ in a case brought by the Environment Agency.

Connor Calam fly-tipped waste on the edge of Dartmoor while subject to a suspended prison sentence for driving offences. The custodial sentence was very nearly activated by Exeter Crown Court.

The court heard a farmer found a large quantity of rubble and other waste deposited across a track near Pudson Farm, Okehampton in January 2017. The waste blocked access to three of his fields. The farmer reported the incident to the Environment Agency and local council and was told he would have to pay for its removal and safe disposal.

Enquiries by the Environment Agency traced the waste back to Plymouth Skip Hire in Stonehouse, Plymouth operated by Connor Calam, also known as Riley James.

The building waste came from insurance repairs carried out on a property in Plymouth by a local company that paid the defendant £245 to remove the material on the understanding he was a registered waste carrier.

Plymouth Skip Hire ceased trading in April 2017. Zenith Construction Ltd, whose waste was illegally tipped by the defendant, later paid for its removal as a goodwill gesture to the farmer.

Phil Butterworth of the Environment Agency said:

This prosecution is a timely reminder to businesses and home owners to ask three simple questions when getting someone in to dispose of their waste.

Is the person registered with the Environment Agency as a waste carrier – ‘ask for proof’’? Where do they intend to take the waste and can they provide a receipt? If they can’t provide satisfactory answers to these questions, don’t hand over your waste.

Appearing before Exeter Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday 6 March 2018, Connor Calam, of Seaview Avenue, Lipson, Plymouth was fined £2,000 for breaching a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £2,500 costs. He was also made the subject of a 12-month community order, ordered to pay £260 compensation to Zenith Construction Ltd plus an £85.00 victim surcharge.

His Honour Judge Ralls QC said ‘Fly-tipping in a beautiful part of the country is a serious matter’ and warned the defendant he’d escaped being sent to prison ‘by the skin of his teeth.’

The sentencing followed an earlier hearing where the defendant was found guilty of disposing of controlled waste on land at Pudson Farm, Okehampton between 10 and 27 February 2017 without an environmental permit contrary to Section 33 of the Environment Protection Act 1990.

Link: Press release: Plymouth Skip Hire boss nearly jailed for dumping rubble
Source: Environment Agency