Plans to bring trams back to West Yorkshire, and deliver a multibillion-pound boost to the economy, have secured a major funding injection from the government. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves today (Wednesday 4th June) announced the allocation of £2.1 billion of local transport funding to West Yorkshire which will enable the Combined Authority to get spades in the ground on West Yorkshire’s tram project by 2028. Speaking ahead of next week’s Spending Review, the Chancellor joined West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin at a bus depot in Huddersfield where she unveiled West Yorkshire’s ‘transport for city regions’ funding for 2027-2032. The funding will also support other vital transport infrastructure projects across the region including new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield, extensive bus priority measures and cycleways on the A641 and North Kirklees transport corridors, and access improvements to unlock regeneration across six key neighbourhoods bordering on Leeds City Centre. The first phase of West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit network will create two tram lines – a Leeds Line, running from St James’s University Hospital through the city centre to the White Rose, and a Bradford Line, connecting Bradford and Leeds city centres. This represents the region’s biggest infrastructure project in decades and will form part of an integrated transport network, under the single Weaver Network branding, connecting bus, tram and train services as well as walking and cycling routes. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “It is time for trams – today is a huge moment for our region. “The Chancellor’s backing means we now have the investment needed to bring trams back to the streets of Leeds and Bradford – improving public transport connections and boosting growth. “We will also be able to take forward other vital projects, including new bus stations for Bradford and Wakefield, which will help us create a better-connected region that works for all.” Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Delivering a tram system will transform connectivity across our city, and between Leeds and Bradford, bringing jobs and opportunities within easier reach of thousands of local people. This sits alongside other transport improvements including bus reform that reach out across the whole city. “Securing this funding is another important milestone because it demonstrates clear government backing for the scheme, offering greater confidence and surety as we work together with the Combined Authority and partners to bring trams to our two cities.” The Combined Authority will publish its preferred route options later this year, with a full public consultation planned during 2026. The £2.5bn mass transit programme will have spades in the ground by 2028, with the intention for the first trams to be operating before the mid-2030s.

Stagecoach Yorkshire is expanding its workforce across Chesterfield and the broader region as the UK grapples with a rising unemployment rate and growing economic inactivity.

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show unemployment for those aged 16 to 64 reached 4.5% between January and March, while 21.4% of working-age adults were considered economically inactive. Against this backdrop, Stagecoach, one of the area’s largest transport employers, is actively recruiting drivers, engineers, and support staff.

The operator is offering roles with structured training and apprenticeships, aiming to attract both experienced professionals and those new to the sector. Positions come with benefits including competitive pay, life assurance, retail discounts, and free bus travel.

This recruitment drive reflects Stagecoach’s continued growth in regional transport services, positioning the company as a stable employer at a time when many businesses face staffing uncertainty.

Collingwood Engineering, a precision engineering business based in Barton-upon-Humber, has expanded its production capacity by acquiring two advanced CNC machines. The investment, backed by support from North Lincolnshire Council’s business support team, is expected to increase operational efficiency and precision.

The upgrade positions the company to meet growing demand and take on more complex machining contracts, while also enabling local job creation. The investment was made possible through funding provided by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The council’s support services have helped the firm secure financial assistance and navigate the funding process, underlining ongoing efforts to strengthen the local business base and promote industrial growth in the region.

Vehicle retail group JCT600 is increasing headcount at its Bradford operations as part of a new aftersales partnership with Audi.

The firm has begun hiring Audi-accredited technicians, parts specialists, and service hosts at its Sticker Lane site. This follows the closure of Audi’s previous dealership in the city, with JCT600 now providing authorised repair services to maintain local brand coverage.

The Bradford facility already services multiple marques including BMW, MINI, Maserati, and Lotus. The new roles will bring the site’s staffing above 60, contributing to JCT600’s group-wide workforce of over 2,200 across 50 UK dealerships and workshops. More than 400 of those roles are based in Bradford, where the company’s head office is located.

JCT600 operates across 19 vehicle brands and is actively recruiting for various roles across sales, service, and technical departments to support its dealership network. The expansion reflects growing aftersales demand and ongoing consolidation within the UK dealer landscape.

Frontier Software will be participating as an exhibitor at the CIPD Festival of Work, taking place at ExCeL London on 11^th and 12^th June 2025. The Festival of Work is a major event organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), bringing together professionals in HR, learning and development (L&D), and internal communications for two days of insight, innovation, and inspiration. This annual CIPD celebration is for everyone invested in the value people bring to their work. It’s for leaders who know their people solve their business challenges. It’s for people managers working hard to bring out the best in their teams. And it’s for people professionals, of all roles, who drive the success of their organisations by building a thriving workforce. With 180 exhibitor stands, the event offers a dynamic environment for discovering new workplace technologies, tools, and services designed to drive business success. It’s a must-attend event for anyone seeking to enhance their professional skills, stay current with industry innovations, or find cutting-edge corporate solutions. As a long-standing and trusted provider, Frontier Software brings over 40 years of experience delivering innovative HR and payroll solutions to organisations across sectors and sizes. A fully integrated suite of software modules is designed to enable personalised employee experiences while meeting the complex operational needs of HR teams. Visitors to Frontier Software’s stand will be able to explore:

• Powerful cloud-based HR and payroll solutions
• Flexible outsourced payroll processing services
• Highly configurable automation tools tailored to your unique business processes
• Real-time data access to support informed decision-making
• ChatHR for conversational interactions between employees and ichris HR

Join Frontier Software at the CIPD Festival of Work to discover how they can help your organisation streamline HR operations, improve employee engagement, and drive strategic success. Visit Frontier Software at ExCeL London, 11-12 June 2025.