Latest Citizens Advice column

Here is the latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice:

Q: I recently started a new job where my boss has told me I’ll have to work on bank holidays. This was never the case in my old job. Can my employer really make me work on a public holiday, and should I get paid extra if I do? 

A: Congratulations on the new job and wonderful to hear you’re enjoying the work. 

Unfortunately, when it comes to bank holidays, whether or not staff have to work is up to their employer, and you don’t have to be paid more if you do. The situation will vary from job to job and may depend on a number of factors such as whether your place of work is open on bank holidays, your hours of work and crucially, what your contract says. 

Take a look at your contract, if you have one, to find out what your personal situation is. Your contract might say you will always get bank holidays off but it might say you may sometimes be required to work them or will always be required to work. If your place of work is normally open on a bank holiday you’ll probably be asked to work at least some. But if your contract says you get bank holidays off you shouldn’t be asked to work. 

Your contract might say something like: “In addition to bank and public holidays, your annual entitlement to holidays is X days”. This means you get public holidays off in addition to your annual leave entitlement but it might not mean you’re entitled to take the specific days off. You may be required to work a bank holiday, in which case you should get another day off instead. 

Alternatively, it might say something like: “Your annual holiday entitlement (inclusive of bank and public holidays) is X days” - this means you have to take bank holidays off as part of your annual leave entitlement. Bank holidays will either be deducted from your annual leave allowance (so you’ll have to book all bank holidays as paid time off) or counted as additional holiday days. 

A common misunderstanding around bank holidays is that employers have to pay you extra for working them. This is not the case. Unless your contract says you’ll be paid extra you will just be paid your normal amount. If your contract says you are entitled to bank holidays but you’re asked to work, you should be able to take a different day off in lieu. Your employer has to follow what’s set out in your contract, if they don’t, you should raise this with them. 

If you don’t have a contract, the legal default position is that your employer can tell you when you can or can’t take time off. If you’d like to request a bank holiday off, use the normal method for requesting time off. 

If you find you need to resolve an issue with your employer, first ask for an informal chat, where you can raise your concerns. If this doesn’t get you anywhere, you may need to raise a formal grievance. If you need advice on this contact your local Citizens Advice.

Stretch of A5 closed after vehicle overturns

The Daily Post was reporting just before 2pm today (Tuesday) that A stretch of the A5 has been closed after a vehicle overturned, sparking major traffic jams on the A483. Traffic officers have warned motorists to expect delays.

The crash is affecting traffic between the A483 (Halton Roundabout, Halton) and B5070 Chirk Road (Gledrid Roundabout, Chirk). There is also congestion around Chirk as motorists seek alternative routes.

Skates slams Barclays over Llan branch closure news

* The Castle Street branch is earmarked for closure.

Member of the Senedd Ken Skates has slammed Barclays after the company confirmed that the only surviving bank branch in his constituency will close this summer. 

He has accused the banking giant of not being honest about its future and promised to raise the issue with the Welsh Government as a matter of urgency. 

The Clwyd South MS has previously criticised high street banks and the UK Government for ‘opening the floodgates’ for the raft of closures in Wales – with his constituency among the worst affected. 

And this week Mr Skates accused Barclays of not being honest about its intentions after it announced its Llangollen branch would shut on July 7. 

He said: “The news that yet another high street bank has turned its back on customers in our area is as unsurprising as it is disappointing. 

“Over the years Barclays has repeatedly refused to guarantee the long-term future of the Llangollen branch, so we knew this was coming at some point despite the company’s insistence there were no plans to close it and despite the best efforts of local people. 

“The timing of the announcement was telling, too - just before the Easter weekend when many people go away. People are right to be angry.” 

Mr Skates added: “The floodgates were opened when the UK Government scrapped an agreement with the banking sector which made it compulsory for the last branch in a community to stay open. It has proved to be disastrous for communities like ours, as the big banks wasted little time in cutting costs and shutting down valued local branches in order to maximise profits.” 

During his time as Economy Minister, Mr Skates launched plans for a Community Bank of Wales to bring branches back into local communities.  

This week he said: “It’s becoming clearer every day that people who want to bank in-branch just can’t rely on the high street chains. I will raise this matter urgently with the Welsh Government and urge them to do everything possible to accelerate the rollout of the community bank, which will be the first of its kind anywhere in the UK.” 

New look aims to get Audi SUV ahead of the game

Audi Q5 Sportback drive by Steve Rogers

The SUV has become the nation’s favourite choice of car but the boxy shape can be a bit of a turn off.

Some companies have decided to spice them up, trimming the roof line to give a sharp coupe look.

What do you think of this one? It’s an Audi Q5 Sportback which is a Q5 but with a roof that has had some pretty drastic surgery. Actually the Sportback has been given a new body which is a tiny bit longer and a tiny bit lower at the mid point than its sibling. Face on the cars look identical but there are a couple of subtle changes for Sportback, notably the grille design, which is a sort of mesh effect, along with redesigned air intakes.

The first thing that occurred to me, viewing the car side on, was a serious lack of headroom in the back given that swooping roofline. Not the case at all. I am about average height but still had 13cm of headroom, that’s five inches to us old ‘uns, so unless you need to carry the likes of six foot whatever Peter Crouch (he’s the lanky footballer) then there is no need to fret.

Boot space is compromised but not by much. Ten litres less than Q5 with the back seats up and 40 litres less with the seats down which is no more than a medium sized bag. You will have noticed the use of the word ‘less’ so are we going to be paying less for Sportback? Nope, less is going to cost more to the tune of £2,450. Sorry to burst your bubble.

That aside, Q5 Sportback is a seriously nice car. Let’s look at driving first. It’s an Audi with quattro drive so it is bound to handle well, and this car handles very well, one of the best in its class. Be careful because it gives the feeling of invincibility barely putting a tyre tread out of line in the tightest of quick corners and that is before switching to the sports setting.

This holds on to the revs under hard acceleration, weights up the steering and stiffens the dampers but not by a lot, and at any rate the car feels so secure in the standard setting it is hardly worth the bother.

Performance is brisk  thanks to the S tronic seven speed automatic gearbox where changes are super fast although Audi has missed a trick by going for a 12 volt hybrid electric motor rather than a 48 volt which is becoming the norm and provides more punch when accelerating in the mid range.

Running costs are likely to be heavy because drivers will be luck to get more than 30mpg and that is with a fairly light foot on the fast pedal.

Let’s get back to an area where Audi always excels. I have been saying for decades that no one in the premium class trims a car to Audi standard and I stand by that but the finishes are all very dark and although everything looks neat and orderly it is not as plush as the Genesis GV70 reviewed last month.

Nearly a decade ago Audi raised eyebrows with a radical dashboard layout. Instead of the traditional two clock binnacle the driver looks at a 12.3in high resolution LCD colour screen that can display a number of combinations and with Google Earth sat nav filling the whole screen.

It started a trend that others followed and is still a standout feature. The wide screen infotainment centre dominates the dashboard but it is a shame Audi has ditched the rotary controller although the touchscreen responds instantly and the definition is as good as it gets. At least the heating controls are arranged in a neat strip with good old fashioned switches.

So to the big question. Is it worth spending an extra two and a half grand for a sloping roof? You could put the money to a couple of worthwhile packages to spec up your Q5, or you could spend it on a holiday. I’d go for the holiday.

Fast facts

Q5 Sportback 45 Edition 1 TFSI quattro

£56,705 (starts £47,875)

2-litre; 250bhp

0-62mph 6.1secs; 149mph

32.5mpg combined

197g/km. 1st year tax £1,565

Boot: 510-1480 litres

Insurance group 40

Towing capacity 2,400kg

 

Camilla King gives update on Eisteddfod motto debate

              * The motto as it appears on the Eisteddfod's famous shield.

Llangollen International Eisteddfod's executive producer Camilla King has given an update on the debate which has been going on about its motto.

The motto "byd gwyn" comes from the first part of a verse composed by Welsh language poet, T. Gwynn Jones.

In the verse, the "byd gwyn" refers to "blessed world" but the literal translation in English is "white world". 

When it was revealed the Eisteddfod was considering changing this for fear it might be misinterpreted as racist, a storm blew up amongst some of the festival's supporters which has raged on for weeks, with many writing to the Board expressing either their opposition or support for any change. 

But in an email to Eisteddfod supporters sent out last night Ms King says: "Having considered the public response at length, the Board has voted to continue using T. Gwynn Jones’ motto. 

"However, we are committed to a public discussion in the future, to ensure that the Eisteddfod motto is reflective of the world we live in today and the world we want to live in tomorrow. 

"In discussing our approach to language as an organisation, and developing a new Welsh Language Policy, which we will be sharing soon, we believe it is only right to consider many different voices, and to question how language continues to evolve.

"We would like to thank those who have contributed constructively to this meaningful discussion; arguments have been made very powerfully both for keeping the Eisteddfod’s motto, and for commissioning new poetry. 

"To ensure clarity of meaning to our audiences across the globe, the Welsh and English language versions of the motto will appear alongside each other wherever possible.

"Our focus now is on delivering an Eisteddfod which will bring together communities from around the world, in a joyful celebration of the power of music and dance to create understanding and harmony." 

llanblogger wishes you a Happy Easter

 

Skates praises volunteers helping Ukrainian refugees

* Ken Skates MS chats with Ukrainian mum and daughter Natali and Alise about some of the issues they have faced since fleeing Kharkiv.  

A Member of the Senedd said he was proud of the 'magnificent' efforts of volunteers to welcome Ukrainian refugees to the Ceiriog Valley.

Ken Skates, MS for Clwyd South, met some of those who had fled their homeland and settled in rural Wrexham at Glyn Ceiriog’s Christian Centre last week, where they have their weekly English classes.

He said: “It was a pleasure to meet our guests, and incredibly humbling. It’s fantastic to see how they have settled into life in the Ceiriog Valley and the efforts of the local volunteers have been magnificent. It makes me extremely proud to represent our area.”

The class Mr Skates joined has been run by volunteer tutors since last summer to supplement the refugees’ ESOL lessons (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at Coleg Cambria. 

He said: “The network of help which has been created in the valley is amazing. The guests have not only been given a very warm welcome, but crucial, tangible and practical support too. So many people have helped, and residents have also donated their own time, expertise and a great deal of furniture and household items to refurbish and fully furnish a neglected empty property in Dolywern for one of the families to live in.” 

Local businesswoman Jools Payne, who started the volunteer group, said: “The amazing support our Ukrainian friends have received stretches the length and breadth of the Ceiriog Valley. From hosts who have opened their homes, to local hospitality venues offering employment opportunities, to countless small acts of kindness that have helped them navigate their new life and language. 

“It has been heart-warming. A volunteer described the valley as providing our guests with ‘a soft landing pad and a warm cwtch’. Equally, they have given us much in return, enriching our lives with their culture, warmth and humour.” 

Earlier in the week, Mr Skates asked Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt how the Welsh Government is helping refugees from Ukraine to seek sanctuary in Wales. He was told the ‘Team Wales’ approach – working in partnership with councils and third sector organisations – has led to more than 6,500 being welcomed so far. 

The Minister added: “As part of our 2023-24 budget, we're investing a further £40m in our humanitarian response.” 

Mr Skates also expressed his concerns that cuts by the UK Government could have an impact. 

Mr Skates said: “We know that local services are essential in ensuring that our guests feel welcome and secure here in Wales. I was pleased to see the additional money that the Welsh Government is providing for local authorities to deliver these essential public services including, of course, the continuation of free public transport. 

“Have you any updates at all from UK Government Ministers providing clarity on what funding they will now be providing to support Ukrainian people here in Wales?” 

Ms Hutt told the Senedd: “It is important that we made that commitment, that £40m package of funding. We made that commitment in consultation with our local authority partners, who have been so crucial – and the third sector – in delivering support for Ukrainian refugees in Wales.  

“We're awaiting clarity from the UK Government in relation to funding. They’ve announced a £150m homelessness prevention fund, but we haven't heard what the allocation for Wales will be. I have written to seek urgent clarity on this. We need to see what our share will be, because the UK Government has cut the Year 2 integration tariff. So we lost £29m in that decision alone.” 

The Welsh Government has also extended hosting payments into refugees’ second year after arrival and increased ‘thank you’ payments to hosts to £500.