MEPC names Sarah as Marketing Manager
Sarah Limbert has been named by MEPC, the asset manager and developer behind Wellington Place in Leeds, as it sMarketing Manager.
Sarah brings nearly twenty years’ experience to the role, having spent 17 years working within leisure and hospitality, including with leading hotel group QHotels, before her most recent role at Medical Protection Society.
In her new role, Sarah will be responsible for delivering multi-channel marketing strategies, and further strengthening the community at Wellington Place through participatory and social impact led placemaking activities.
She said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as Marketing Manager at MEPC for Wellington Place. My passion for bringing people together and delivering outstanding customer service will be a great fit for Wellington Place.
“Wellington Place has always stood out to me as a vibrant business hub in Leeds city centre that puts people firmly at its centre, and I’m looking forward to shaping this exciting neighbourhood.
“I’m particularly excited to driving forward our activities and initiatives that have social impact at the heart, including working with organisations doing great things in Leeds such as Ahead Partnership, to add more value to the lives of people that work here, and the wider community.”
Dominique Murray, Associate Marketing Director at MEPC, added: “Sarah joins us at an exciting time for Wellington Place. We now have a working population of over 16,000 people and want to continue to expand our exciting and engaging events that will bring together both our business and local community.”
Wellington Place is a thriving urban quarter based in Leeds city centre. It’s home to award-winning, state-of-the-art, mixed use buildings spanning office, leisure and retail space and is the location of choice to over 60 leading companies, including EY, ghd, Lloyds Banking Group, NHS England, and Willis Towers Watson.
Farmers offered 45% ‘pay rise’ for public benefits of new woodland
Farmers and land managers can now get up to £11,600 per hectare for the public benefits delivered by woodlands they create – a 45% increase – under the England Woodland Creation Offer.
The change has been introduced by Defra and the Forestry Commission as the latest step to increase tree-planting across the country.
Forestry Commission Chief Executive Richard Stanford said: “There has never been a better time for farmers and land managers to plant and grow more trees, and these announcements make it clear that woodland creation is a compelling part of the business of land management. I encourage everyone eligible to take advantage of the generous woodland creation incentives now available.
“In addition to encouraging woodland creation away from most productive land, it is important to remember that trees and woodlands can support farming objectives – for instance providing shade and shelter, improving productivity through healthy soil and water, reducing erosion and nutrient loss from surface run-off, or improving drought and flood resilience.”
The increase in EWCO payment rates will take effect immediately and offer farmers and land managers more tailored tree-planting incentives to encourage woodland creation where it is best suited, whilst also protecting our most productive farmland for food production.
This is a key part of the Government’s plans to achieve net zero by 2050 and put nature at the forefront of its efforts to tackle climate change. The current maximum rate per hectare available from additional contributions will increase from £8,000 to £11,600 – a 45% increase. That will increase to £12,700 in stackable payments if the land is also eligible for the new Low Sensitivity Land Payment. Standard costs payments will remain at up to £10,200 per hectare.
As part of the enhanced package, key new measures include:
- A new payment to encourage EWCO applications on low sensitivity land has been introduced, avoiding land most suitable for food production. When planting on low sensitivity land you can now receive £1,100 per hectare.
- A new ‘Nature Recovery – premium’ payment option (£3,300 per hectare) has been added to the Nature Recovery Additional Contribution. This is designed to encourage the planting or natural colonisation of highly biodiverse woodlands next to ancient woodland.
- Uplifts have also been made to some of the other existing additional contributions, with a focus on riparian buffers, flood mitigation and access. For example; payments for flood risk management have doubled from £500 to £1,000 per hectare, and recreational access has increased from £2,200 to £3,700.
- Annual maintenance payments have been raised from £350 to £400 per hectare, per year, for 15 years – recognising that caring for new trees is vital if new woodlands are to flourish.
Call centre company could create 200 Hull jobs thanks to £283k grant
Up to 200 full-time equivalent city centre jobs will be created thanks to a grant from Hull City Council’s Levelling Up Fund to Clearanswer Call Centre Limited.
The company has been awarded £283,403 towards its project at Essex House on Manor Street, where it aims to revamp first floor offices into a 120-seat call centre, as well as upgrade its IT system infrastructure.
Clearanswer Call Centre Limited also plans to relocate the current reception and HR areas of Essex House from the first floor to the ground floor.
The funding, which amounts to 50 per cent of the project costs, has come from the council’s government-backed Levelling Up Fund.
Around 300sqm of vacant floor space will be brought back into use as a result of the works.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for regeneration at the council, said: “I am delighted that the council is able to support this project through Levelling Up Funding.
“The applicant proposes to create hundreds of new city centre jobs, something which is one of the council’s priorities and which will help to boost Hull’s wider economy.”
Humber Freeport launches search for region’s rising property star
Humber Freeport has launched a search to find the region’s rising property star, with a ticket for the huge UKREiiF investment showcase up for grabs.
Taking place in Leeds from May 21st to 23rd, UKREiiF is the UK’s leading investment and infrastructure forum. Bringing together the biggest names in property, investment, planning and development, the three-day conference will attract more than 10,000 attendees, with 700 speakers across 30 stages, and over 150 exhibitors. Humber Freeport will be represented at UKREiiF, showcasing the region’s powerful proposition as a magnet for global investment and development. And, as part of its commitment to skills and talent, Humber Freeport has reserved a place for the region’s rising “Prop Star.” The successful candidate will be an early career professional – aged under 25 – making a big impact and forging a successful path in the fields of property, planning, development or investment, in either the private or public sector. Humber Freeport Chair Simon Bird said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for a young property professional to attend the UK’s biggest event in the world of property and investment. “It’s a rare chance to hear from some of the biggest names in the industry, speak to leading exhibitors, develop valuable contacts and gain invaluable insight and profile at this enormously prestigious event. “Humber Freeport is playing a major role in attracting large scale investments to the region and our attendance at UK UKREiiF presents a major opportunity to promote the region and the additional benefits of freeport status. “We’re pleased to have launched this competition to showcase the next generation of property and investment stars and open up a tremendous opportunity for the winning candidate.” To be in with a chance of joining the Humber Freeport team at UKREiiF, entrants must:- Write a short bio about themselves, including their career history and current role.
- Summarise why they’d love to attend UKREiiF and how it will support their personal and professional development.
Wilkin Chapman appoints new Senior Partner
One of the most prominent private and commercial law firms in Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire is welcoming a new senior partner following a sustained period of growth.
Chris Grocock, head of recoveries and member of the management team is a former professional footballer. He has been with Wilkin Chapman for 34 years and is succeeding Andrew Holt who is stepping aside after six years in the role. Andrew will continue as a partner in the dispute resolution team.
Before joining Wilkin Chapman in 1989 and later qualifying as a solicitor, Chris played for Grimsby Town Football Club. After making his Football League debut whilst still at school he enjoyed two full seasons with the Mariners before making the transition from football to law.
Lauded by the Legal 500 as ‘an expert in his field’, Chris has decades of experience in dealing with debt recovery litigation and insolvency work in the utility, commercial and public sectors. He will officially take over as senior partner on 1 April.
Chris said: “I’m delighted to be taking over the role from my colleague Andrew, who has helped to steer the business through a very successful period notwithstanding an especially turbulent economic climate, navigating the challenges of covid and the cost-of-living crisis. The role of senior partner is to provide leadership and to be an ambassador for our firm. I’ll be working alongside our chief executive officer, Robin Simmonds to help drive the business strategy forward as well as supporting our people and maintaining relationships with our clients and contacts.”
“When I started working with Wilkin Chapman some 34 years ago, there were just three members in the recoveries’ team. Now, there are around 90 dedicated specialists and we are amongst the top five Recoveries firms in the UK. The department has contributed to an increase in the firm’s turnover from £16 million to over £30 million in the last 10 years. Wilkin Chapman has enjoyed an incredible, sustained period of growth and I think the business is in a strong position to continue that progression.”
“Our firm is ambitious but key to our culture is approachability. I’m delighted to take the baton from Andrew and lead our fantastic, growing team as it continues to provide quality legal advice to individuals and organisations, regionally and throughout the UK.”
Meanwhile, Andrew Holt is happy to welcome his colleague as his successor. Speaking of Chris’ appointment, he said: “Chris is a natural successor, having proven leadership and management qualities. Over the last 30 years we have spent time together, he’s shown to be a people person through and through. Chris already has the trust and confidence of over 420 free-thinking people within the business. He will engender that same trust and confidence of our client base, referrers and stakeholders. I have every confidence that Chris will excel in the role of senior partner and the business will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Robin added: “I have worked with Chris for the last three years in his capacity as a member of our management team and I have no doubt he will be an exceptional senior partner for Wilkin Chapman. I look forward to working with Chris to drive our strategy forwards and achieve the ambitious goals we have set ourselves.”
Wake Smith chairman to become High Sheriff of South Yorkshire
Corporate lawyer John Baddeley is to step down in his role as chairman, shareholder and director at Wake Smith Solicitors to become High Sheriff of South Yorkshire.John, who has been at Sheffield-based Wake Smith for 36 years, will take up the ceremonial role from April 8 this year, meaning he will retire and not work for the firm for 12 months while he undertakes his duties.As John prepares for his new position, head of property Neil Salter becomes the new Wake Smith chairman from January 1 having worked his way up to Equity Partner/Director/Shareholder over his 29 years at the firm.Commercial property director Paul Gibbon also joins the firm’s management board while director Rebecca Robinson is promoted to head of the corporate team from April 1. John Baddeley said: “I am very proud to be taking up the role as the High Sheriff of South Yorkshire.
“My decision to leave Wake Smith has been an incredibly difficult one; however, the office of High Sheriff is a high honour and it is an immense privilege to be selected. I hand over the role of Chairman in Neil Salter’s capable hands. I wish him all the best in his new role.”Legal property expert Neil Salter was an architect of, and one of the original members of, Wake Smith’s Management Board, which he re-joined in January 2020, and is an active driver of the success of Wake Smith.He said: “John being chosen as High Sheriff is a remarkable recognition of his profile in the city and, to an extent, that of Wake Smith. “Sadly for us, John will be stepping down from the firm whilst he undertakes his duties, as he will be spending substantial amounts of time with the judiciary, and this has the potential for a conflict of interest. “John has been integral to the development of the spirit and culture of Wake Smith and its continued success, and I would not be surprised if, after his time as High Sheriff, his involvement with the firm may re-commence in some way, shape or form.“We wish him a fond farewell for now, with a huge sense of pride and admiration on his appointment.”Neil added: “We also welcome director Paul Gibbon to the management board, who as well as undertaking his commercial property work, will continue as head of marketing, leading Wake Smith’s involvement with the UK200 and the overseeing of legal accreditations Including Lexcel and CQS.“We are also delighted Rebecca Robinson will become head of our highly regarded corporate team from April. Rebecca’s appointment is well deserved, and she has our full backing as we grow and invest in our corporate services.” The role of High Sheriff dates back before the Norman Conquest. There is one in every county in England and Wales. It is a non-political Royal appointment originally responsible for the maintenance of law and order within the county, and the collection of taxes for return to the Crown.The function has evolved and it is now largely a ceremonial role with responsibility for supporting crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and the voluntary sector.
Lincoln businesses backed by new initiative to tackle shoplifting
Shoplifting in Lincoln city centre is now being tackled by police with the help of Lincoln BIG’s City Centre Warden Danny Mason.
The partnership comes as part of the local Neighbourhood Policing Team’s problem-solving for prolific shop theft in the city centre, and will mean Danny will now be taking on responsibility for the initial evidence gathering on reports of shop thefts to provide a complete package for officers to use to bring those responsible to justice.
The work builds on a previous initiative of shop theft packs, where businesses who had been targeted by thieves completed a statement about the incident and sent it to police along with CCTV. This way, the onus is taken off those businesses to collate the information needed for the investigation, and the support from Lincoln BIG means that officers can spend more time on patrol and working on investigations.
The investigation itself – viewing the CCTV, follow-up statements, identifying suspects, arrests, suspect interviews, seeking a charge with the CPS, attending court, and compiling other material for things like Criminal Behaviour Orders which can help to ban individuals from specific retail premises – will be handled entirely by police.
This new way of working is for all retail premises in the city centre, as well as the immediate outlying commercial parks along Tritton Road.
Community Beat Manager Sgt Steve Parker said: “Tackling shop theft is something we have been working directly on for some time, and we have good news to share: of the top 20 prolific offenders, which we know can be repeat offenders, 13 are in prison, one is out on licence, one has a suspended prison sentence, and a further three are due in court imminently.
“But we still know what an impact shop theft has on our community, and we wanted to introduce something that will make a real difference, so we suggested this way of working to Lincoln BIG, and got a very positive response. This new way of working builds on an existing relationship between Lincolnshire Police and Lincoln BIG, and will help us to realise our ambitions to significantly reduce shop theft and related offences in the city centre. The more our local businesses can help us – via Danny – by providing the evidence we need to secure convictions, the more offenders we can take off the streets.”
Hull-based firm invests £1m in Bedfordshire training facility
Hull-based Ideal Heating is investing £1m in an Expert Academy expect ted to open next month to equip installers with the skills to fit, maintain and service domestic and commercial heat pumps.
The new Training and Technology Centre is at Insignia Park in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, just a few minutes from Luton and the M1 motorway.
The new hub follows the opening in January 2023 of the award-winning Expert Academy’s pioneering National Training and Technology Centre in Hessle, East Yorkshire.
The purpose-built £2.2m National Training and Technology Centre was the first dedicated centre of its kind in the UK. The training it offers is also focused primarily on green technologies, as the industry transitions from traditional gas boilers to environment-friendly alternatives.
Ideal Heating is part of Groupe Atlantic, a global leader in thermal comfort. Andrew Johnson, Training Director for Groupe Atlantic UK, Republic of Ireland and North America, said: “Following the huge success of our National Training and Technology Centre, we know just how much our customers value the importance of industry-leading facilities.
“We believe in providing the highest quality training experiences possible with carefully designed programmes and first-class facilities across the UK.
“Our training technologies, together with our comfortable and relaxed learning spaces, provide the best learning environments for our expert team to deliver unrivalled training.
“We’re delighted to be opening this impressive new facility, which is ideally positioned, with excellent road and rail links, for us to serve large areas of the South East, London and the central corridor.”
Ideal Heating is part way through a £60m investment programme at its main UK manufacturing and logistics hub in Hull, where over 800 people are employed. This investment includes a new £10m UK Technology Centre, which will play a key role in developing and testing low carbon heating solutions.
Dalton Industrial Estate gets £129,000 grant to help with 12-month decarbonising study
Decarbonising Dalton has been awarded more than £129,000 by Innovate UK towards a £202,000 12 month-long feasibility study at the rural Dalton Industrial estate near Thirsk, to look into emissions associated with power, heat, materials and transport and how those can be reduced.
Business leaders hope that the solution will find a pathway to net zero for other industrial estates across the country to follow.
It is projected that electricity demand on the estate of 28 businesses, including nine larger companies, will more than double in the next three years and beyond, with planning permission already granted to extend the area by another 22 hectares.
The project will draw up detailed assessments for each business and propose an action plan to take them to net zero whilst minimising offsetting. It will be delivered in five phases – business needs assessments, quick win reductions, shared onsite opportunities, offsite interventions, and collation and knowledge sharing.
Executive member for climate change, Cllr Greg White, said: “There is growing enthusiasm among Dalton business leaders to tackle carbon emissions but there are also constraints on the electricity grid. Owners of the largest businesses – and users – are working together to find a solution that helps them all grow in a more sustainable manner.
“They are looking at innovative ways to maximise benefits for the environment as well as for themselves. They aim to plan a route to net zero for Dalton which will become a blueprint for the decarbonisation of smaller, particularly rural industrial estates across the UK.”
The project is being led by a partnership of ourselves, six Dalton businesses – Cleveland Steel and Tubes Limited, Wetherby Stone Products Limited, Severfield plc, Inspired Pet Nutrition Limited, Citivale Group Holdings Ltd and National Tube Stockholders – and Northern Powergrid.
Partnership spokesperson and head of ESG at Severfield plc, Michaela Lindridge, said: “We are all committed to advancing the decarbonisation of our industries through our normal business so we are thrilled and excited to be able to potentially take the lead in decarbonisation for industry in general.
“Sustainability plays a vital role in the way in which we do business. Together we can support our ambitions for carbon neutral manufacturing in the region, as well as share experience and expertise in green technologies and actively working together to diminish our carbon footprint through sustainable production practices and energy-efficient manufacturing.
“This project presents a unique opportunity to drive sustainability forward for many different businesses and we are excited to see what opportunities lie ahead”
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is the UK’s innovation agency. It works to create a better future by inspiring, involving and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. Its mission is to help companies to grow through their development and commercialisation of new products, processes and services, supported by an outstanding innovation ecosystem that is agile, inclusive and easy to navigate.
Dr Bryony Livesey, UKRI Challenge Director, Industrial Decarbonisation said: “This project shows the keenness of businesses to collaborate on plans to decarbonise by forming local industrial clusters and working together to drive down emissions. This is a crucial step in tackling decarbonisation at dispersed sites on the UK’s journey towards net zero by 2050.”
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers see mixed start of the year
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers are seeing a mixed picture as they start the year but confidence is remaining robust despite the UK economy remaining weak overall.
However, Make UK is forecasting growth for manufacturing of just 0.1% in 2024 and 0.8% in 2025 which is weaker growth than the economy overall.
The findings come in the Q4 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO. According to the survey, output in Yorkshire & the Humber fell in the first few months of the year. However, looking forward both output and orders are set to pick up substantially in the second quarter of the year in line with the national picture.
However, this picture is not currently being reflected in either investment intentions or recruitment, although this reflects an easing from a strong picture for both indicators last year rather than any negative pattern.
Dawn Huntrod, Region Director for the North at Make UK, said: “After the economic and political shocks of the last few years there is now strong confidence among manufacturers in Yorkshire & the Humber, despite the mixed picture. While growth in the economy is not exactly supercharged, the positive announcements in the Autumn Statement and Budget can at least allow them to plan with more certainty for the future.”
Steve Talbot, Head of Manufacturing at BDO in Yorkshire, added: “Manufacturers across Yorkshire and the Humber have continued to show their ability to overcome wave after wave of challenges, but they cannot continue to do this indefinitely without some more long-term support from the Government.
“The expected increase in output and orders in the latter half of this year is positive and in line with the overall national picture, but whatever happens over the next quarter will be critical to manufacturing businesses in the region.”
Rotherham MP bids to change the law about food traceability
The NFU has worked closely with her to develop the Bill which would amend two existing Acts of Parliament relating to requirements to be followed in public procurement. These include the need for a contracting authority to consider what proportion of the food originates from the UK.
Public procurement is the purchase of goods and services on behalf of a public authority, such as a government agency.
In December 2023, the NFU published its manifesto ‘Farming for Britain’s Future’, calling on a future government to identify opportunities to increase our market share of foods the country could produce sustainably, including a commitment to source half of food eaten in the public sector from British farms. The reporting of the origin of public sector sourced food is essential to monitor progress towards this ambition.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said: “This would guarantee more British farmers and growers delivering high quality, fresh, seasonal and affordable food to world-leading environmental and welfare standards into our schools, prisons, hospitals and the military.
“Despite spending £2.4 billion on the the public procurement of food, disappointingly, there is currently no record of what proportion of this food is currently supplied by British farmers and growers,” he added.
“We know there is huge support across the country for food served in the public sector to be British,” David added, citing the NFU’s research, carried out by Deltapoll, which found that 76% of the public want the government to commit to sourcing at least half of all food for schools, prisons and hospitals from British farms.
Doncaster Chamber welcomes publication of reports’ potential for area’s businesses
Doncaster Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the arrival of two South Yorkshire Mayoral Authority publications and is optimistic about what they could mean for local businesses going forward.
The Plan For Good Growth and the new Skills Strategy were launched simultaneously, with each representing a commitment from SYMCA to help our region unlock its full potential. Both documents place an emphasis on innovation and embracing fresh ideas, while also being firmly grounded in reality and attuned to what’s happening on the ground level in places like Doncaster.
Chamber CEO Dan Fell said The Plan for Good Growth was concerned primarily with how the region will attract further inward investment and create more high-paying jobs in the future. Meanwhile, the Skills Strategy looks at what more can be done to retain talent here in South Yorkshire. He sad: “More specifically, it sets out three key missions: to help those who are currently unemployed transition more easily into the world of work; to ensure that people are equipped with the core knowledge they need to thrive in today’s labour market; and to generally increase the supply of a high-skilled workforce.
“It’s great to see such strong, but crucially realistic, ambitions being articulated for our region. We believe that this vision bodes well for South Yorkshire and that it will inject some much-needed positive energy into the discussion about where we are heading next.
“The Plan for Good Growth contains a lot of laudable aspirations, including ideas for improving our existing infrastructure as well as for encouraging further innovation and productivity; all of which will be instrumental to our success going forward. Between our Investment Zone status and major assets — like the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and Gateway East — there is already a lot of great opportunity here for the indigenous SME community and it’s imperative that we do all we can to help them seize it.
“It feels as though partnerships are working far more effectively in South Yorkshire than they have done for quite some time, and we are seeing a pleasingly collegiate atmosphere develop. The Plan for Good Growth gives us something new to rally behind so that we can continue in this vein and work towards a shared ambition that will really benefit our communities.
“If national government take note of this plan as well, and fully commit to partnering with the region on it, then they will find that there are several ideas here that will help them deliver upon their flagship levelling up policy. We know that our members feel very passionately about this need for greater collaboration with government— a point reinforced when the Levelling Up Advisory Council recently visited South Yorkshire — and so we hope the ambition of this plan is properly heeded by Whitehall.
“All in all, we are optimistic about these two strategic documents from SYMCA and expect that they will deliver great things for the region. Of course, this hard work must now move beyond vision and towards implementation. It is action, not just words, that the business community ultimately wants to see. Nonetheless, today’s strategies were a confident stride in the right direction.”
Manufacturing conference puts innovation and sustainability under the spotlight
Innovation and sustainability were key areas of focus at the Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland Manufacturing Conference, when delegates discussed the future of a sector contributing £5.6 billion to the regional economy.
The conference, hosted by Business Lincolnshire in partnership with NatWest, brought together ndustry experts, thought leaders, and business owners to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the manufacturing sector in the region.
The manufacturing sector in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland alone employs 66,000 workers and contributes £5.6 billion to the local economy, representing 21% of the total economic value (GVA) in the region. What’s more, over the past decade, the sector has experienced a remarkable 64% growth in real terms, outpacing the national average.
Laura Capper, Head of Manufacturing and Construction at NatWest, offered insights into the financial and non-financial solutions essential for supporting the growth ambitions of manufacturing businesses.
Shane Peel and Angela Borman from Siemens Energy shared their journey and expertise, underscoring the importance of skills development and sustainability in driving manufacturing excellence. A key takeaway from their session that resonated in the room was succession planning with your current workforce to plug the skills gaps projected over the coming two to five years.
Chris Corkan, Region Director at Make UK, provided a comprehensive overview of the industry’s current landscape, emphasising the intrinsic link between manufacturing and productivity. Make UK’s analysis underscored the UK manufacturing sector’s growth to £224 billion, positioning it as a global player. However, challenges such as energy prices and geopolitical instability persist, impacting profit margins and employment costs.
Make UK’s research shows that in 2024, a significant proportion of manufacturers are poised to seize net zero opportunities for growth, with 13% aligning with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and commitments. Additionally, more than half are preparing to launch new products, while over a quarter are gearing up to expand into new, previously untapped markets.
These initiatives are fuelled by a collective agreement among 71% of manufacturers that digital technology will drive productivity, with 62% affirming that opportunities outweigh risks. The overarching campaign message emphasises the fusion of physical and digital realms, leveraging automation, innovative materials, and cutting-edge technologies like AI to enhance the UK’s competitiveness and productivity. Moreover, there’s a widespread commitment to sustainability, with 96% of manufacturers already decarbonising operations, 92% prioritising net zero, and 74% integrating ESG conditions into procurement decisions.
Government plans to foot entire pay bill for SME apprenticeships
Prime Minister Rishi Sunk is expected to expected to say Government will fully fund apprenticeships in small businesses from 1st April by paying the full cost of training for anyone up to the age of 21.
The move is part of a package of reforms to support businesses to deliver more apprenticeship places, cut red tape for SMEs and leverage more private investment in female founders, and he’ll reveal it at the Business Connect conference in Warwickshire today.
This will remove the need for small employers to meet some of the cost of training and saves time and costs for providers like further education colleges who currently need to source funding separately from the government and businesses.
The move is underpinned by an additional £60 million of new government funding for next year, guaranteeing that where there is demand for apprenticeships from businesses, the government will ensure there is enough funding to deliver them.
From the start of April, the government will also increase the amount of funding that employers who are paying the apprenticeship levy can pass onto other businesses. Apprenticeships can currently be funded by a levy paying employer transferring up to 25% of their unused levy to a different employer.
Under the new measures, large employers who pay the apprenticeship levy will be able to transfer up to 50% of their funds to support other businesses, including smaller firms, to take on apprentices. This will help SMEs hire more apprentices by reducing costs and enabling more employers to get the skilled workers they need while unlocking more opportunities for young people in a huge range of sectors, industries, and professions.
Hundreds of large levy-paying employers have already taken advantage of the opportunity to transfer their unused levy funds to other businesses. As of [December 2023], 530 employers including ASDA, HomeServe and BT Group have pledged to transfer over £35.39 million to support apprenticeships in businesses of all sizes since September 2021.
Taken together, these measures are expected to enable up to 20,000 more apprenticeships, primarily for young people, and is part of our plan to build a stronger economy and deliver a brighter future where hard work is rewarded and young people get the skills they need to succeed in life.
This also builds on our record of transforming apprenticeships over the last decade. Since 2010, we’ve helped 5.7 million people start an apprenticeship, working with employers to develop almost 700 new high-quality standards and increasing the funding for apprenticeships to over £2.7 billion from next year.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Growing up in my mum’s pharmacy, I know first-hand how important small businesses are. Not just for the economy, but as a driver for innovation and aspiration, and as the key to building a society where hard work is always recognised and rewarded.
“Whether it’s breaking down barriers and red tape for small businesses, helping businesses hire more young people into apprenticeships and skilled jobs or empowering women to start up their own businesses – this government is sticking to the plan and leaving no stone unturned to make the UK the best place to do business.
“Taken together, these measures will unlock a tidal wave of opportunity and make a real difference to businesses and entrepreneurs across the country.”
Steelmaker secures top accolade for steel going to automotive industry
British Steel has been awarded the International Automative Test Force 16949 certificate – a standard demanded by the vast majority of customers in the automotive industry – for the quality of product and process at Scunthorpe Rid Mill.
The mill makes products to be converted into springs of all kinds, tyre cord and bead, and fasteners. After an audit by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Plant Manager Paul Collins said: “After four days of intense auditing, LRQA has approved our continued certification for a further year.
“We have a fantastic team at SRM and the entire Rods business. I cannot credit them enough. This was a really terrific effort by the whole Rods team, and those who provide the associated support functions, in achieving this certification.
“Everyone has the same vision, focus and passion and the contribution from colleagues has been excellent. Since 2019, when we were first accredited with IATF 16949, we have improved year on year and that is testament to the hard work and skills of this team. Everybody at the mill has played their part in influencing the high standards that have been set.”
Commercial Director – Wire Rod, Phil Knowles, said: “This is a very testing and competitive market with very exacting requirements. The fact that we have retained this certification with flying colours is a massive boost to the business and a testament to the work of our colleagues throughout the whole Rods business ”
CITB labeled ‘unfit for purpose’ after publishing its latest annual report
The Construction Industry Training Board is unfit for purpose and has had its day, claims the MD of Bridington-based CIS payroll company Hudson Contract.
He’s Ian Anfield, who highlights that CITB reserves have risen by £8.4m to more than £100m in a year in which the Board has said employers had said they were too busy for training. Mr Anfield said: “The reality behind the falling demand is massive disengagement with CITB. Under the Industrial Training Act, CITB is allowed to raise the funds necessary to cover its costs, but the latest report and accounts show it is raising much more, and has been for some time, which stems from its failure to properly engage with many employers.
“The accounts pose serious questions and could expose CITB to legal challenge when it goes back to government to ask for another year of levy raising powers. There could be problems ahead with the Charity Commission and HMRC.”
He called for the Board to cut levy rates to ease pressure on construction SMEs or to increase the number of training courses delivered, saying that its current business plan did little to address skills shortages or improve engagement levels with employers.
Mr Anfield added: “CITB supposedly exists to provide training to construction but by the chairman’s own admission, yet again it has failed.
“And when it comes to explaining what is going wrong, the best CITB can do is come up with glib criticism of the industry for not prioritising training.
“If our clients didn’t have to dig so deep to pay the levy in the first place, the state it has got itself in would be almost amusing.”
Major, new mixed-use neighbourhood approved in Leeds
Caddick Developments, part of Caddick Group, has received a unanimous resolution to approve a major, new, mixed-use neighbourhood in the South Bank of Leeds.
To mark the planning decision, the 2m sq ft scheme, previously named City One, has been rebranded as South Village. The new name reflects not only its location within one of the UK’s largest brownfield regeneration sites – South Bank, Leeds – but also the development’s design as a contemporary urban village for modern city living.
South Village could provide up to 1,925 homes, 650,000 sq ft of commercial space and significant landscaped areas, all centred around a curated ‘village green’ the size of a professional sports field, and accessible to both residents and local community alike.
Positively received by Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel, the scheme was praised for its potential, which would “change this part of the city altogether.”
A new place brand has also been developed to accompany the name change, which will be revealed in due course.
Lee Savage, Director at Caddick Developments, said: “South Village will offer a revolution in city-centre living, transforming this strategically located brownfield site into an ambitious and accessible new neighbourhood.
“Our proposals are incredibly exciting, having been designed to provide bold, modern architecture, significant public space and enhanced connectivity between Holbeck and the city centre.
“As we work towards submission of a detailed planning application, we will continue to collaborate closely with key partners and the community to bring forward a vibrant new chapter for this part of the South Bank.”
Johnny Caddick, Caddick Group, said: “We’re delighted to have received the resolution to approve from Leeds planning committee for this transformational new development. South Village is set to redefine contemporary urban living in Leeds, offering all the amenities of a traditional village, while being located in the heart of the city centre.
“Perfectly suited to modern patterns of living and working, South Village has been carefully designed to provide significant public realm and community space, promote active lifestyles and connectivity, and ultimately enable the creation of a dynamic, multi-generational community.”
Construction underway on new further and higher education campus in Skegness
Construction has started on the new campus for Skegness TEC which will deliver further and higher education courses for the residents of Skegness and surrounding communities.
The new campus, supported by a £14 million government-funded Connected Coast Town Deal, is set to make a huge impact in the community, offering further and higher education tailored towards vocational skills training to meet local needs.
Having gained planning permission from East Lindsey District Council last year, works are now underway on the Wainfleet Road site, led by contractors Hobson and Porter.
Ann Hardy, CEO of TEC Partnership, said: “I am delighted that construction is underway on our new Skegness Learning Campus. It is going to be great to see our designs and plans become a reality. The new learning campus will bring with it a broad curriculum and new opportunities for the community of Skegness.”
Chris Baron, Chair of Connected Coast, said: “It is fantastic to see work now underway on the Learning Campus, a development set to be genuinely transformational for local people, offering access to training in much-needed subjects in Skegness.
“The Learning Campus is Connected Coast’s flagship Town Deal, and it has the potential to be an economic game changer for the area, allowing people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to get the jobs they want.
“The start of work is a hugely significant milestone, and I look forward to seeing this exciting new facility come out of the ground over the coming months, ready to welcome students in 2025.”
The campus will in turn bring enhanced employment opportunities and a broader range of curriculum tailored to economic changes and demands. Over the coming years, the project aims to help over 1,000 residents into employment, supporting growth in the local economy and enriching the community.
West Yorkshire buses taken back under public control
The Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has decided to take control of the buses in a major shake up to public transport.
In a landmark move, the Mayor decided to bring buses under local control – through a process known as franchising – as recommended by the Combined Authority at its meeting in Leeds.
Routes, frequencies, fares and overall standards for buses in the region will be set by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority – not private operators, who will instead be contracted to run services on the Combined Authority’s behalf.
Buses are the most widely used form of public transport in West Yorkshire and provide a crucial public service, connecting communities and enabling people to get to work, school and meet family and friends.
But the current deregulated system has seen a decline in patronage over many years and the increasing use of public funding used to support services.
Despite the action the Combined Authority has taken through its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), bus services in the region remain too infrequent and unreliable to meet passengers’ needs, with West Yorkshire ranking bottom for customer satisfaction according to a survey released by Transport Focus.
A franchised model will allow the Mayor and Combined Authority to better deliver on ambitions for a greener, joined-up and easier to use transport network as part of a better-connected West Yorkshire.
The Mayor’s decision follows a three month consultation which revealed that nearly three-quarters of the people and organisations which responded supported franchising.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “I’m delighted to announce that we are taking back control of our buses in West Yorkshire, empowering the public to hold me to account for better services.
“For too long, buses have been run in the interests of private companies, not passengers. Franchising will help us build a better-connected bus network that works for all, not just company shareholders.
“But we know that change will not happen overnight – the hard work we’ve been doing to improve the bus network continues while we work at pace to bring this new way of running the buses to our 2.4 million residents.”
To ensure a smooth transition, franchising will be introduced in phases, with the first franchised buses up and running in parts of Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield from March 2027.
In the meantime, the Combined Authority will continue with its BSIP, which has seen the introduction of the £2 Mayor’s Fares, increased frequencies on key routes, investment in bus stations and shelters and new bus services launching across West Yorkshire.
A new package of bus improvements for services across the region is also set to be announced in May.
Plans confirmed for new train maintenance facility in Shipley
Rail Minister Huw Merriman has confirmed plans as part of the government’s most recent £3.9 billion investment into the Transpennine route upgrade (TRU) to build a new maintenance facility in Shipley.
Around £100 million will be provided to deliver what will be known as the Shipley TrainCare Centre, which will provide extra resilience to the North of England’s rail network.
With construction set to begin this year, the new maintenance facility will be home to Northern’s electric fleet of trains operating across West Yorkshire, bringing essential maintenance works closer to the centre of the north Transpennine route, leading to increased reliability for passengers.
Neil Holm, Managing Director of TRU, said: “We’re delighted to reveal our plans for this major investment in Shipley, demonstrating the Transpennine route upgrade’s commitment to supporting local communities and creating local jobs.
“This brand new depot will support rail services while we carry out essential improvements and will also leave long-lasting legacy benefits for the town going forward.”
Rob Warnes, Strategic Development Director for Northern, said: “We’re delighted to announce this investment in our brand new TrainCare Centre for Shipley. As the future home for most of our electric train fleets for West Yorkshire, the new site will bring a wealth of highly-skilled jobs into the region, as well as providing resilience for our network across the North.“It will play a key part in helping us to deliver our plans for the Transpennine route upgrade and beyond.”
As many as 100 highly skilled jobs will be supported at the site, as well as apprenticeships. Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “We welcome this major investment in Shipley, which is another vote of confidence in the district from industry and further positions Bradford as a great place to do business. “The new depot will be an important part of operating rail in the north of England, increasing service reliability for rail service users. A new state-of-the-art facility such as this is one of the many tangible improvements to the rail network we are supporting, delivering greener, more accessible trains across the north.“Increasing employment opportunities and developing skills through regeneration are key priorities for the council, so it’s great to hear that local jobs will be created to facilitate this project in the immediate term, as well as 92 permanent skilled posts being created in the longer term.”
