Queen’s Jubilee Weekend Working Arrangements

Following the attached communication received earlier today from the Operations Development Director in relation to the working arrangements for the Queen’s Jubilee weekend, a number of enquiries have been received in the DGS(P) Department regarding predominantly whether Saturday 4^th June 2022 will be classed as a non-service day, have been subject to discussion with the Union.

Representations were made to Royal Mail Group (RMG) earlier this year and in particular the question was asked as to whether the business intended to appeal to Ofcom for a non-service day on the Saturday in question.

Having considered this matter, the business are of the view that as many customers will have a normal working day on 4^th June and Post Office Limited also plan to open as normal, Ofcom would not be in favour of such a request especially having already granted an additional non-service day in January.

Branches and Representatives will be aware that the Union has fought vigorously to defend the Universal Service Obligation (USO) in recent times as well as pursuing the move to a 24/7 operation in order to reinvent Royal Mail Group for the next generation.  It is evident however that many people will still be working on Saturday 4^th June and therefore many customers will still expect a service from Royal Mail.  In respect of this exceptional occasion, the company have decided that it will be dealt with in a similar manner to Easter arrangements.

In relation to the operational staffing arrangements over the Jubilee weekend, the National Officers will be holding meetings with RMG to work through the proposed arrangements to ensure that the exact details are finalised and then subsequently agreed.

Further developments will be reported in due course.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P) Department.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger
Deputy General Secretary (Postal)       

LTB 114-22 Queen’s Jubilee Weekend Working Arrangements

Attachment to LTB 114-22

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EUREST PAY CLAIM 2022 AND BALLOT ARRANGEMENTS

Branches and representatives will be aware that the pay review date for our Eurest catering grade members was moved to April each year, in order to align with the annual review of the National Minimum Wage.

As in previous years both parties have been committed to early discussions in 2022 to ensure that any agreed arrangements could be concluded to meet the April deadline. Discussions have been complicated this year due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the business and the prevailing financial climate. However, while the aforementioned issues could have presented a barrier to concluding an acceptable deal, further to positive discussions an agreement has now been reached with Compass Group/Eurest on a pay settlement for 2022.

In the view of the department, the agreed settlement rewards the ongoing commitment of our members while also recognising the commercial realities of the impact of the Covid-19 period and current economic climate.

The deal is straightforward and consists of:

 A 6% increase in basic pay (not NDA) rates for all grades, effective 1st April 2022. 

 The retention of the previously agreed differential on Premium/Overtime rates pitching those rates at £1 above the standard rate for each grade. 

 The next pay review date will be April 2023. 

For our Grade C members the deal meets the CWU aspiration of maintaining the current level of differential over the National Minimum Wage, which we have been seeking over recent pay deals to maintain or grow.

The Postal Executive has endorsed the pay offer for recommendation to our Eurest members. We have therefore been consulting with the SDG(S) department in relation to arrangements for an individual members’ ballot, which have now been finalised.

We can now confirm that the ballot timetable will be as follows:

Ballot Papers Despatched: Tuesday, 15th March 2022

Ballot Closes: Tuesday, 5th April 2022 (first post)

Branch Secretaries are requested to ensure that our members are made aware of the content of this LTB and that every effort is made to encourage our members to use their vote when their ballot papers are received.

Any enquiries in relation to this LTB should be addressed to Davie Robertson, Assistant Secretary, email: dwyatt@cwu.org quoting reference 301.11.

Yours sincerely

Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary

22LTB113

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POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE – ESSENTIAL TO DELIVER A STRONG YES VOTE

Branches are advised ballot papers have started to arrive from today.  Reports from Reps suggest we are on track to deliver a healthy Yes vote.  However, we will not be complacent; accordingly, Branches are encouraged to continue making every effort to engage with members with the key message being the importance of returning ballot papers to ensure we surpass the legal threshold.  The ballot paper communication is attached.

Late last week Post Office published the attached communication.  Bizarrely they said they were “disappointed” we had instigated the strike ballot.  This disappointment pales into insignificance compared to the outrage being expressed by many members who evidently feel a pay freeze is an absolute insult.

It was revealing to discover Government has provided Post Office with very nearly £1.2bn in subsidy since March 2021.  This eye-watering sum of money needs to be considered against the backdrop that just £5m extra on the pay bill shared amongst our members would resolve this pay dispute.  Therefore, the excuse of affordability cannot be proffered as a reason for the pay freeze.

Additionally, Post Office has unsurprisingly delayed the publication of its Annual Report & Accounts for 2020/21, although we are given to understand that when finally published, a healthy profit will once again be declared.  This further demonstrates the issue of affordability is not a barrier to a pay agreement.  It is likely the Report & Accounts will also provide information in regard to the millions of pounds that has been wasted defending the indefensible in respect of the Horizon scandal – money that could have been used to improve members’ terms and conditions.

We are naturally committed to reaching a negotiated settlement, which we aim to secure following our members delivering what will hopefully be a powerful Yes vote.

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

22LTB112 Post Office – Pay Dispute – Essential to Deliver a Strong Yes Vote

Attachment 1 to 22LTB112

Attachment 2 to 22LTB112

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NATIONAL TUC RALLY BLACKPOOL 19^TH MARCH – POSTPONED

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches, reps and members, that the TUC have today postponed the National Rally planned for Blackpool on the 19^th March.

We have attached a statement from the TUC which was endorsed at a TUC Executive Committee meeting earlier today.

From a CWU perspective, we do understand the reasons for the postponement, although we made it clear that the CWU were ready to deliver a big turnout.

We know that CWU Branches will be disappointed at this postponement and that you had already put a lot of work into mobilising for the March rally, and we thank you for your efforts.

However, as part of the discussion today, we are pleased that the TUC have firmed up their commitment to the National New Deal tour and the National New Deal mobilisation taking place in summer 2022.

In prioritising the New Deal Campaign later this year, we are confident that the whole of our movement will be redoubling our efforts to ensure we see the biggest mobilisation of working people for decades.  Further details on this will be released in due course.

In the meantime, please ensure that the contents of this LTB are conveyed to our representatives and members and advise that we will still be focusing on the CWU mobilising for the UN Anti-Racism day on the 19^thMarch.  We strongly encourage Branches to attend one of the Anti-Racism events that are taking place around the UK on that day.

Any enquiries on the above should be addressed to the General Secretary at jdunn@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
General Secretary

To all members of the TUC General Council and all General Secretaries of affiliated unions:

Dear Colleague

This morning the Executive Committee agreed to postpone the mobilisation that was due to take place in Blackpool on 19 March.

Over the coming fortnight we will be mobilising trade unionists in support of the ITUC day of solidarity with Ukraine on 15 March(more details to follow tomorrow). And we will support the mobilisations in London and around the UK for the UN Antiracism Day on 19-20 March – particularly as this government refuses to properly support and welcome refugees from Ukraine and other conflict zones into the UK.

The wages and bills crisis is about to bite. The TUC and the whole trade union movement demand action.  So we will be bringing our campaign to win pay rises and a new deal for workers to a town or city near you soon, and hosting a national mobilisation in London this summer.  Dates and details to be announced soon.

Paul Nowak
TUC Deputy General Secretary

22LTB111 NATIONAL TUC RALLY BLACKPOOL 19TH MARCH POSTPONED (003)

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Royal Mail & CWU National Joint Statement Scan In, Scan Out (SISO) in the Delivery Function – Evaluation of PDA Solutions

As Branches will be aware one of the commitments contained within the ‘Key Principles Framework (Pathway to Change) Agreement’ at 2.5 Technology, was the introduction of SI/SO for employees to log in and out when an individual starts/finishes work.

Whilst Royal Mail, with CWU involvement has deployed Scan In, Scan Out (SISO) for the processing functions, the company are now looking at device and other solutions for the Delivery Function.

Consoles were the preferred option in Mail Centres and Regional Distribution Centres, as these are overall relatively uniform buildings and have the required space without impacting on the Operation. However, it is recognised that the wider use of consoles within Delivery Units may not be suitable and prove to be difficult in a number of locations due to the diversity of Delivery Units, space constraints and other limitations. In response to this, we have agreed to undertake a limited evaluation process to explore a possible PDA based solution which has the same inputs and outputs as found in the Processing Function, whilst not impacting on the layout of the Delivery operation.

Within this initial evaluation process the PDA will have the SISO Application.  The barcode scanner will be activated when the user selects either Attendance Start or Attendance Finish.  The Holder (mount) will be affixed to the signing-on desk (See Annex for images of the Static PDA solution).

Evaluation Objectives

The primary objective is to gather feedback from the selected Delivery Units as to whether the PDA solution is fit for purpose and is a user-friendly application.

Royal Mail and the CWU will evaluate the PDA solution within six Units which have been jointly selected in order to gain first-hand feedback:

• Plymouth
• Plympton
• Plymouth North
• Plymouth West Park
• Dumfries
• Newark

The Units selected contain different ranges of delivery options (e.g. Town, Rural, HCT etc). The details of the evaluation process will be briefed within the selected Units.

OPGs within these Units will have the opportunity to test the process using the PDA solution by being asked to select the ‘Start / Finish’ option, and then scanning via their name badge.  OPGs will also be asked about the PDA solution around ease of use: –

• Are you able to select Start / Finish easily on the PDA screen? If no, what was the issue?
• Was scanning your ID card easy? If no, what was the issue?

Both parties have agreed that the data produced from Scan In/Scan Out will not be used for any resourcing practices or operational aspects during the evaluation within the six selected Units. The evaluation is limited to whether the PDA solution is fit for purpose only.

The evaluation will be carried out over a 2-week period for the 6 Units from week commencing 14^th of March 2022.  At the end of the evaluation, feedback will be jointly secured from the Units (including direct feedback from the Local CWU Representative and DOM) on this initial evaluation process by the relevant Royal Mail and CWU national leads.

Review and Next Steps

Royal Mail and the CWU will review the feedback nationally from this evaluation exercise, which will determine any future equipment and deployment programme. Additionally, the evaluation will also determine the next steps and jointly agreed activities necessary, which may include future trials or pilots before consideration of any further or wider National roll out of SI/SO within delivery units.

Following the completion of the evaluation process the units involved will remove the PDA solution application subject to further national discussion and wider agreement around SISO.

Any queries to the content of the above please contact the Outdoor Department reference 540 , email address: njones@cwu.org

Yours sincerely, 

Mark Baulch                                                                                       

CWU Assistant Secretary

LTB 110-22- SISO in the Delivery Function – 09.03.22

SISO Delivery Function Evaluation Joint Statment v3.docmb – final

Appendix A SISO Static PDA User Evaluation Unit Brief v1

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 07 – Dangerous, Illegal Tyres:

Introduction: 

See within the attached RMG Safety Flash FY22 07 images of ‘bald, dangerous condition, illegal tyres which were recently discovered on vans at delivery offices, during safety audits of the delivery offices by Royal Mail auditors. These findings have been subsequently reported to director level. The condition of the tyres is ‘shocking’ and endanger the drivers and other road users to put it mildly!

Overview: 

Tyres must be checked daily by drivers, to ensure that they are both safe and legal.

Key Messages: 

Tyres Critical: 

Tyres are one of the most critically important safety component parts of any vehicle as they are the part that attaches the vehicle to the road. Excessively worn tyres increase stopping distances, cause a loss of traction, particularly in bad, wet weather driving conditions and increase the risk of a ‘blow-out’ – all of which can result in loss of control of the vehicle and lead to a serious collision accident. Driving with illegal tyres risks serious injury or even fatality to the driver and to other road users and pedestrians.

2,000 Illegal, Dangerous Tyres Found on RMG Vehicles: 

Since April 2021, Royal Mail Group’s vehicle breakdown and recovery agents have removed over 2,000 illegal and dangerous tyres from Royal Mail Group vehicles, including the two pictured in the attached Safety Flash which were found during the last month by safety auditors visiting delivery offices in different parts of the country.

Prosecutions: 

Apart from the high risk of these dangerous tyres causing a serious accident, the penalties for CWU members driving Royal Mail, Parcelforce or RMSS vehicles with illegal tyres start with a fine for the driver of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points. If a vehicle with illegal tyres is involved in a road traffic collision which leads to death or serious injury, the driver could face a prison sentence.

Driver Jailed: 

In a recent case at St Albans Crown Court in December 2021 a driver was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after a vehicle with two illegal, dangerous tyres on it was involved in a collision which resulted in the other driver being killed. The car which had very little grip on the road surface, lost traction, causing the vehicle to ‘fishtail’ on the slippery road surface and slide into the other car killing the driver.

Learning Points: 

Tyres form part of the daily vehicle check and it is a mandatory requirement that every tyre on every vehicle is checked every day, before it is driven.

The legal limits are 1.6mm on cars and vans and 1.0mm for HGVs. Royal Mail policy is that tyres must be changed when tread is less than 2.0mm. Where tyres require replacement, these should be reported to the RM Fleet Workshop using the PMT1 fault reporting process.

Where illegal tyres are identified, the vehicle MUST NOT be driven on the road under any circumstances, and the tyre breakdown services may be required to fit a replacement tyre.

Key Activity: 

• Drivers – Must check the tread and condition of the tyres on the vehicle allocated to them, every day, as part of the daily pre-use vehicle checks. Checking the correct tyre pressure on a weekly basis, as part of the weekly vehicle checks. Any worn or damaged tyres must be reported immediately using the PMT1 fault reporting process.
• Managers – Must ensure vehicle checks are being completed by drivers. Within deliveries, use the vehicle checks dashboard to see which vehicles have been checked. Physically check at least one vehicle per week to ensure that vehicle check records accurately reflect the condition of the vehicles.

ASR Activity: 

All ASRs are asked to focus attention on tyre checks during their safety inspections at Delivery Offices, MPUs, Mail Centres, RDCs etc. Thanks for your assistance and support.

Attachment:  

RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 07 – Dangerous, Illegal Tyres.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB109 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 07 – Dangerous, Illegal Tyres

SHE Flash FY22 007 – Illegal Tyres

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Royal Mail have responded to our letter on pay and it is simply not good enough and they must table a proper offer now.

Please ensure every CWU member and postal worker sees this video update from Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Terry Pullinger.

Facebook https://fb.watch/bDhLgu62eP/

Twitter https://twitter.com/cwunews/status/1501240527110483974?s=21

Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 07 – Dangerous, Illegal Tyres:

Introduction: 

See within the attached RMG Safety Flash FY22 07 images of ‘bald, dangerous condition, illegal tyres which were recently discovered on vans at delivery offices, during safety audits of the delivery offices by Royal Mail auditors. These findings have been subsequently reported to director level. The condition of the tyres is ‘shocking’ and endanger the drivers and other road users to put it mildly!

Overview: 

Tyres must be checked daily by drivers, to ensure that they are both safe and legal.

Key Messages: 

Tyres Critical: 

Tyres are one of the most critically important safety component parts of any vehicle as they are the part that attaches the vehicle to the road. Excessively worn tyres increase stopping distances, cause a loss of traction, particularly in bad, wet weather driving conditions and increase the risk of a ‘blow-out’ – all of which can result in loss of control of the vehicle and lead to a serious collision accident. Driving with illegal tyres risks serious injury or even fatality to the driver and to other road users and pedestrians.

2,000 Illegal, Dangerous Tyres Found on RMG Vehicles: 

Since April 2021, Royal Mail Group’s vehicle breakdown and recovery agents have removed over 2,000 illegal and dangerous tyres from Royal Mail Group vehicles, including the two pictured in the attached Safety Flash which were found during the last month by safety auditors visiting delivery offices in different parts of the country.

Prosecutions: 

Apart from the high risk of these dangerous tyres causing a serious accident, the penalties for CWU members driving Royal Mail, Parcelforce or RMSS vehicles with illegal tyres start with a fine for the driver of up to £2,500 and 3 penalty points. If a vehicle with illegal tyres is involved in a road traffic collision which leads to death or serious injury, the driver could face a prison sentence.

Driver Jailed: 

In a recent case at St Albans Crown Court in December 2021 a driver was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after a vehicle with two illegal, dangerous tyres on it was involved in a collision which resulted in the other driver being killed. The car which had very little grip on the road surface, lost traction, causing the vehicle to ‘fishtail’ on the slippery road surface and slide into the other car killing the driver.

Learning Points: 

Tyres form part of the daily vehicle check and it is a mandatory requirement that every tyre on every vehicle is checked every day, before it is driven.

The legal limits are 1.6mm on cars and vans and 1.0mm for HGVs. Royal Mail policy is that tyres must be changed when tread is less than 2.0mm. Where tyres require replacement, these should be reported to the RM Fleet Workshop using the PMT1 fault reporting process.

Where illegal tyres are identified, the vehicle MUST NOT be driven on the road under any circumstances, and the tyre breakdown services may be required to fit a replacement tyre.

Key Activity: 

• Drivers – Must check the tread and condition of the tyres on the vehicle allocated to them, every day, as part of the daily pre-use vehicle checks. Checking the correct tyre pressure on a weekly basis, as part of the weekly vehicle checks. Any worn or damaged tyres must be reported immediately using the PMT1 fault reporting process.
• Managers – Must ensure vehicle checks are being completed by drivers. Within deliveries, use the vehicle checks dashboard to see which vehicles have been checked. Physically check at least one vehicle per week to ensure that vehicle check records accurately reflect the condition of the vehicles.

ASR Activity: 

All ASRs are asked to focus attention on tyre checks during their safety inspections at Delivery Offices, MPUs, Mail Centres, RDCs etc. Thanks for your assistance and support.

Attachment:  

RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 07 – Dangerous, Illegal Tyres.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB109 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 07 – Dangerous, Illegal Tyres

SHE Flash FY22 007 – Illegal Tyres

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Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 06 – Serious Road Traffic Accident:

Overview, Background, Description and Effect:

Following a recent, very serious, road traffic collision involving a Royal Mail vehicle in which a CWU member driver was seriously injured and remains hospitalised, the Royal Mail Group Safety Team have issued the attached SHE Flash to remind all drivers of some basic but key road safety driving techniques.

The Royal Mail driver was waiting at a junction when a heavy goods vehicle ran into the back of the Royal Mail vehicle at speed, pushing the Royal Mail van across the junction and into a collision with another vehicle. The Royal Mail driver was thrown out of the passenger side door of the Royal Mail van receiving serious injuries. The occupants of the other vehicle were also injured in the impact. The Royal Mail driver remains in hospital at the time of writing.

Key Messages And Learning Points: 

This incident is a reminder of the devastation that road traffic collisions can cause, and for most of us driving is the most dangerous work activity we will undertake. Our priority must always be to ensure the safety of our drivers and the public.

We can’t control everything that happens on the roads but the SHE Management System contains all the approaches that are in place to keep the workforce safe whilst driving.

The Following Key Points Are Important:

1. Drive Defensively: 

• Observation – actively look for hazards by scanning left, right and centre, and near and far. Check mirrors regularly. Check blind spots before completing manoeuvres e.g., pulling out, turning or overtaking.
• Anticipate – think about hazards you can’t see and how they might affect you. For example, oncoming traffic around blind bends, doors opening on parked cars, or vehicles approaching from behind.
• Plan – for what might happen. Are you going slow enough to stop? Do you need to give more space? If waiting to turn right across traffic, keep your wheels facing forward until you are ready to go. If you are hit from behind this may avoid you being pushed into oncoming traffic.

2. Be Aware Of The ‘Fatal 4’:

• Speed – increases the likelihood and severity of a collision. Drive at a speed which is appropriate for the road and conditions and always within the speed limit.
• Alcohol/Drugs – never drive under the influence of drink or drugs and be aware that some prescription drugs can also impair driving.
• Seatbelts – always wear your seatbelt, even for short distances or at low speed. At just 6mph, the forces in a crash are too high for the average person to restrain themselves without a seatbelt.
• Distractions – driving requires your full concentration. Royal Mail Group prohibit the use of mobile devices whilst driving, including hands-free use. Do not try to read addresses whilst driving.

3. Only drive vehicles that you are licenced to drive and have received the required training for, as set out in RMG SHE Instructions.
4. Never drive an unroadworthy vehicle – ensure that you complete your daily vehicle check and that defects are reported and repaired.
5. Always drive in accordance with the Highway Code, The Driving Safe System of Work and your training.
6. Always ensure that you are fit to drive – conditions which may affect your driving must be disclosed and an OH appointment may be arranged. Have regular eyesight tests and always wear eyesight correction if required. Ensure that you are properly rested.

Key Activity: 

Managers must ensure that this SHE Flash is delivered to all drivers.

Attachment: 

RMG SHE Safety Flash FY22 06 – Serious Road Traffic Accident.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB107 Royal Mail Group (SHE) Safety Flash FY22 06 – Serious Road Traffic Accident

SHE Flash FY22 006 – Serious Road Traffic Incident

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Coronavirus Update – Further Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions in Wales:

Further to earlier LTBs, this is a summary update following Friday afternoon’s announcement by the Welsh Government’s First Minister Mark Drakeford.

The First Minister announced on Friday the easing of a number of Covid-19 control measures and restrictions in Wales, including the ending of legal requirements for face masks and Covid vaccine passports as part of a sustainable return to a normal way of life. He said that the public health situation continues to improve in Wales – community transmission is reducing steadily and the omicron wave is receding.

The First Minister stated that face masks will no longer be legally required to be worn in indoor settings and added that the wearing of face coverings in shops and other indoor public places will now move to “strongly recommended” but voluntary.

The legal rules on wearing masks and self-isolation are expected to end on 28 March.

From the same date, most people with symptoms will no longer be able to get PCR tests, and free lateral flow tests (LFTs) will end from June.

The country will be the last part of the UK to totally lift its Coronavirus restrictions.

While it will no longer be law to wear masks or self-isolate if people have Coronavirus when rules end, First Minister Mark Drakeford said it would be recommended that people do so in crowded places but it would be voluntary.

Summary For Wales

From The End of March:

• Wales’ last few remaining Covid restrictions are to be scrapped on Monday 28 March.
• People will no longer be required to wear face masks by law. (They will be recommended only in crowded places).
• Businesses will no longer need to carry out Covid-specific risk assessments by law.
• PCR tests will no longer be available for most people with symptoms from 28 March.
• At the end of March routine asymptomatic testing in most schools, childcare and workplaces will also end.

• Lateral flow device (LFD) tests will be available online for free for those people who have symptoms but tests will no longer be available for free from June.
• While self-isolation will no longer be law, people will still be advised to get a test if they have symptoms and isolate if positive.
• A “more targeted” testing scheme aimed at vulnerable people will replace the current regime.
• Wales will be the last part of the UK to totally lift its Coronavirus restrictions.
• The Welsh government has published a plan to “live safely with this virus”.

From The End Of June:

• Free LFD Tests cease to be available for testing people with symptoms.
• Contact tracing ends.
• Self-isolation support payments end.
• Self-isolation guidance will be changed – advising people to take precautions when ill with Covid-19, such as staying at home if possible.
• PCR tests will be kept for certain groups only, such as health and social care staff with symptoms, care home residents, and hospital patients.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

22LTB106 Coronavirus Update – Further Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions in Wales

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