University of Bradford staff are set to stage ten days of industrial action starting next week, in response to the institution’s plans to cut £16m in costs. The proposed measures include job cuts and the closure of several courses.

The University and College Union (UCU) has confirmed that its members will walk out on Monday, with additional strike dates planned through July. The union has warned of prolonged disruption unless the university revises its plans.

The UCU claims that more than 450 jobs are at risk, including positions in disciplines such as archaeology, forensic science, biomedical sciences, psychology, and public health. Additionally, the university is considering closing courses in chemistry and film and television.

The strike follows a vote in favour of industrial action, with 67% of UCU members backing the move. Strike action is set to continue with additional walkouts scheduled for 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th July, followed by a five-day strike from 21st to 25th July.

The university has acknowledged the right of staff to take industrial action but expressed its aim to minimise disruption for students. It also emphasised that, like many UK institutions, it is facing significant financial pressures and must make difficult decisions to secure its long-term future.

Econ Engineering, based in North Yorkshire, has demonstrated its commitment to the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant. This move solidifies the company’s ongoing pledge to ensure fair treatment and equal opportunities for veterans, serving personnel, and their families in areas such as employment, housing, and healthcare.

By signing the Covenant during Armed Services Week, which runs from June 22 to 28, Econ Engineering has taken a step that reflects its longstanding support for the Armed Forces. The company has previously employed many individuals who have served in various military capacities, both in the regular forces and reserves.

As part of the Covenant, Econ Engineering has committed to supporting its Armed Forces employees by providing guaranteed interviews for veterans who meet the job selection criteria, accommodating employees who are members of the Reserve forces during training and deployments, and inviting cadets to explore potential career opportunities within the industry.

The company has also pledged to offer two weeks of paid leave for employees who are deployed, a benefit not commonly found in many businesses. Econ’s involvement with the Armed Forces Covenant underscores its commitment to supporting military personnel and their families, ensuring they are treated fairly in the workplace.

Econ Engineering’s decision to sign the Covenant aligns with the two key principles of ensuring no disadvantage for Armed Forces personnel and offering special consideration for those who have sacrificed the most, including the injured and bereaved.

Gear4Music, the listed musical instrument retailer, has posted a positive financial performance for the year ending 31 March 2025, driven by strategic acquisitions and growth in its UK market. The company’s revenue reached £146.7m, up from £144.4m in the previous year, with profit before tax increasing to £1.6m, compared to £600,000 in 2023/24.

The growth was further bolstered by the company’s recent acquisition of the assets of two competitors, S & T Audio Ltd (PMT) and GAK.co.uk Ltd, both of which had entered administration earlier in the year. These acquisitions have allowed Gear4Music to strengthen its market position in a consolidating UK market.

In addition to these acquisitions, the company reported a rise in EBITDA to £10m, from £9.4m the previous year, and a reduction in net debt, following cost-cutting measures and the relaunch of its Growth Strategy in June 2024.

Since mid-March 2025, Gear4Music has seen a return to double-digit sales growth, with increasing sales momentum and improving gross margins. The company is optimistic about its performance for the year ending 31 March 2026, with expectations now higher due to the positive impact of its revised strategy and the enhanced competitive landscape following the competitor failures.

The company operates from its head office in York, with distribution centres across Europe and showrooms in the UK, Sweden, and Germany.

A new review suggests that bus franchising could be the key to improving North Yorkshire’s fragmented public transport system. The report highlights the lack of peak-hour services, such as the absence of buses connecting towns like Leyburn, Masham, Wensleydale, and Ripon to major routes like the 73 service to Northallerton. This gap in services is affecting local commuters trying to access work and education.

The study revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the current bus provisions, with businesses reporting difficulties in recruiting staff due to poor transport connections. In addition to these concerns, the research found that while major towns receive multiple services, the overall quality and timing of services remain inconsistent.

To address these issues, the report proposes several improvements, including better information about existing services, the introduction of multi-operator bus ticketing, extended peak-time services, and improved coordination between bus and train timetables. One of the key recommendations is to trial a bus franchising model, which would see local authorities take control of bus planning and management, while private operators run the services.

North Yorkshire’s York and North Yorkshire region is set to be one of the first to trial this model, which could serve as a model for other areas. The report also advocates building on demand-responsive services and encouraging businesses to consider pool bicycles as part of the solution.

The review was conducted by Align Property Services and forms part of the Transport to Work and Study Review in the Richmond and Northallerton constituency, commissioned by North Yorkshire Council. The findings will be discussed by the Richmond area committee next Monday.

Bradford’s business community recently gathered to explore the future of digital skills and AI integration, highlighting the importance of equipping the local workforce to support business growth. Hosted by West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, the roundtable discussion focused on the urgent need for businesses to adapt to technological shifts, particularly AI.

Business leaders from Bradford College, Bradford Council, EY Foundation, and others shared insights on how their organisations are responding to the challenge of digital transformation. Yorkshire Building Society’s team, led by incoming Bradford Chamber President Rebecca Fitzgerald, outlined their approach to upskilling employees to meet evolving demands. With AI now central to many business functions, the group emphasised the need for continuous, targeted training to stay ahead.

The discussion also touched on the wider implications of AI adoption across industries, highlighting the government’s £2bn investment in AI initiatives and £1.2bn for youth training, which was seen as a step in the right direction for securing the future of AI-driven industries.

However, smaller businesses voiced concerns over the cost and accessibility of high-quality training, with legal firms like Schofield Sweeney raising issues about keeping staff updated in a fast-evolving regulatory environment. Bradford Chamber president Mark Cowgill noted that securing skilled talent remains a top priority, alongside responsible leadership and the necessary infrastructure to manage AI’s growth.

This event is part of the Local Skills Improvement Plan, aiming to enhance Bradford’s position within the broader Yorkshire and Humber region’s growing digital economy.