That starts with the biggest set of reforms to the pensions market in decades to unlock tens of billions of pounds of investment in business and infrastructure, boost people’s savings in retirement and drive economic growth so we can make every part of Britain better off.
The UK pension system is one of the largest in the world – with the Local Government Pension Scheme and Defined Contribution market set to manage £1.3 trillion in assets by the end of the decade. However, the pension landscape is fragmented and lacks the size needed to invest in exciting new businesses or expensive projects like infrastructure. The government’s analysis – published today in the interim report of the Pensions Investment Review at Mansion House – shows that pension funds begin to return much greater productive investment levels once the size of assets they manage reaches between £25-50 billion. At this point they are better placed to invest in a wider range of assets, such as exciting new businesses and expensive infrastructure projects. Even larger pensions funds of greater than £50 billion in assets can harness further benefits including the ability to invest directly in large scale projects such as infrastructure at lower cost.Chancellor aims to increase investment by creating ‘pension megafunds’
Train operator names new director of customer service
He moves to the role from McGill’s, the UK’s largest privately-owned bus operator, where he was group MD. .has held a number of senior roles in the bus industry, including that of managing director and then chief executive of Transdev Blazefield between 2015 and 2023. He was also commercial director of trentbarton from 2010 to 2015.
Tricia Williams, MD of Northern, said: “Alex has a brilliant track record of creating customer-centric services and products that grow demand. His experience in public transport, mostly in the commercial bus sector, will be a great addition to our director group and we’re thrilled to have him on-board.”
Mr Hornby said: “This is an incredible role and I’m excited to get started. With the support of colleagues across the network and the potential for growth in the region, I know we have the ability to power economic growth.
“We can also be a valued asset to our customers, supporting their communities and helping to generate prosperity across the North of England.”
Hornby, who was born in Liverpool and now lives in Harrogate, studied transport management at Aston University in Birmingham.
Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.
Council stands up for employers in the adult care sector
Government promises permanent cut to high street business rates
“This follows important action announced by the Business Secretary to tackle the scourge of late payments and to take forward an Industrial Strategy to unblock the supply side barriers holding small firms back from their full potential.”
Officials sign off finance deal that could see commercial flights at Doncaster Sheffield by 2026
Spencer wins Science and Innovation Centre project for Reckitt’s
Chamber’s Chief Exec praises firms showcased at awards ceremony
- Electrical Safety UK – 20 years
- Barnsley Hospice – 30 years
- Brearley & Co Accountants – 40 years
- JC Snell Ltd – 90 years
- White’s Bakery – 90 years
- Sky High Tree & Ground Maintenance Services
- Winner – Leo Lewin, Affinity 2020 CIC
- Highly Commended – Ateeb Mughal – Equans UK & Ireland
- Highly Commended – Joshua Turver – Gala Tent
- Shortlisted – Aiden Ellis – Osbourne Technologies Ltd
- Shortlisted – James Stretton – Equans UK & Ireland
- Winner – Cranswick Convenience Foods
- Highly Commended – Glu Recruit LTD
- Highly Commended – MAKE YOUR MARK UK
- Shortlisted – Home Instead Sheffield & Barnsley
- Shortlisted – Mway Comms
- Winner – Sky High Tree & Ground Maintenance Services Limited
- Highly Commended – Airmaster
- Highly Commended – M R Machine Knives
- Shortlisted – Trust Education
- Shortlisted – Wayv. Talk and Broadband for Business
- Winner – Alicia Hewitt Secure Power
- Highly Commended – James Biggin Steel City Marketing Ltd
- Highly Commended – Luke Hammill – Sky High Tree & Ground Maintenance Services Limited
- Shortlisted – Mark Smith 🔵 – Make Your Mark UK
- Shortlisted – Rob Shaw – Glu Recruit
- Winner – Barnsley FC Community Trust
- Highly Commended – Age UK Rotherham
- Highly Commended – Weston Park Cancer Charity
- Shortlisted – Rotherham Hospice
- Shortlisted – The Archer Project
- Winner – Equans
- Highly Commended – IT Desk (UK) Limited
- Highly Commended – Secure Power
- Shortlisted – Home Instead Sheffield & Barnsley
- Shortlisted – SMH Haywood & Co
- Winner – Glu Recruit LTD
- Highly Commended – MED-EL
- Highly Commended – IT Desk (UK) Limited
- Shortlisted – Rotherham Insurance Brokers
- Shortlisted – Signum Facilities Management Ltd
- Winner – MACE GROUP
- Highly Commended – Instantprint
- Highly Commended – Equi-Trek Limited
- Shortlisted – Equans
- Shortlisted – Boohoo Group PLC
- Winner – Trust Education
- Highly Commended – Grassroots Sports Academy Yorkshire
- Highly Commended – Morgan Wills & Trusts
- Shortlisted – Empress Building & Ballroom
- Shortlisted – AHJ Wills & Estates Ltd
- Winner – Barnsley College
- Highly Commended – Instantprint
- Highly Commended – Equans
- Shortlisted – KCM Waste Management Limited
- Shortlisted – Hydrov Ltd
Customs red tape forms main export hurdle, UK firms tell British Chambers of Commerce
Hull turbine blade factory to work on billion-pound contract for Scottish Power
Investor acquires former builders’ merchant site in Lincoln
Internal Drainage Boards to get share of £50m to protect rural businesses from flooding
“That is why this Government is reforming how flood funds are distributed to protect businesses, rural and coastal communities as we invest over £2.4 billion in flood defences across the country.”
The government has also today confirmed payments to farmers impacted by last year’s severe weather through the Farming Recovery Fund. A total of £60 million will be distributed to eligible farmers, via recovery payments of between £2,895 and £25,000 to around 13,000 farm businesses. Payments are expected to land in farmers’ accounts from 21st November.CMA finalises new guidance for trader recommendation web sites
“With the guidance finalised and by following these tips, consumers can now be more confident about getting the right plumber, plasterer, or roofer for the job, while genuine traders will no longer miss out on jobs that might otherwise have gone to illegitimate ones.”
Former factory site changes hands ahead of new development in Stamford
Hull firm works with Siemens to develop production of clean hydrogen
New roles for two at Wright Vigar
Hull names urban design consultancy to develop vision for city’s future
Businesses urged to have their say on plans to change waste charges
- A waste levy which will enable the Environment Agency to increase waste enforcement activity by around 30%.
- New and updated hourly rates to ensure continued recovery of costs of regulatory activities.
- A waste fee for intervention to recover the cost of regulation where operators lack authorisation.
- Registration and compliance charges for waste exemptions. For farmers, we are proposing a reduced compliance charge for a set of 15 common on-farm waste exemptions.
“Our proposals will see more investment in our services, which is crucial in protecting legitimate businesses, tackling waste crime and reducing environmental damage. We encourage interested parties to respond to help shape the future of their industry.”
South Yorkshire firms urged to share experiences of crime
Organisations across South Yorkshire are being asked to share their experiences with business crime via a new poll conducted by the three regional chambers of commerce.
Open until Monday 9th of December, the Business Crime Survey aims to find out how often local firms are targeted by shoplifting, burglary, theft from motor vehicles, fraud, assault and cyber-attacks, as well as the effect that these illegal activities can have on their day-to-day operations.
In addition to gathering said insights, the questionnaire will gauge respondents’ awareness of the various different support mechanisms that are out there to help them, while also asking them to rate how satisfied they have been with the response to any incidents that may have been reported in the past.
The South Yorkshire chambers promise to listen carefully to what the business community has to say, and plans to use the findings to better understand the scale of the problem; decide what more can be done to support firms with these challenges; and articulate to key partners (including the police) where improvements are needed most.
Chief Execs for the three South Yorkshire Chambers — covering Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley & Rotherham — issued the following joint statement: “From our regular interactions with members, we already know just how profound an effect business crime can have on an individual organisation; whether it takes the form of reputational damage, financial harm, customer loss or an impact on staff wellbeing. From SMEs right through to larger corporations, this is a major concern that spans all sectors and industries, which is why we are so keen to get under the bonnet of it via our new survey.
“By sparing just a few minutes to anonymously describe their experiences here, business-owners will be enabling us to fight more effectively in their corner. Indeed, we will be using the results to lobby for meaningful change, to make sure that the best possible support is available to firms on the ground when it comes to dealing with crime, and to hopefully make South Yorkshire’s private sector less vulnerable to such activity in the first place.
“To do this well, however, we need as many different perspectives as possible. After all, the greater the response to our questionnaire, the more authentically we will be able to represent businesses on this hot-button issue.”
The latest iteration of the South Yorkshire Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), the Business Crime Survey is sponsored by Clear Insurance Management and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, added: “We need businesses to have the confidence to invest; but that means listening to businesses about what undermines that confidence. I know crime and security are huge concerns for our business community, from fraud to shoplifting. So, as I develop my first Police and Crime Plan, I’m determined to listen and to learn. That’s why I need businesses to fill in the Business Crime Survey, so I can understand their needs and priorities, and what they want to see in that Plan.”
Steelworks’ carbon capture programme wins extension
The Environment Agency has granted British Steel permission to extend its trial of ground-breaking technology to capture carbon emissions from Scunthorpe steelworks.
The extension means the company can gather more detailed data from the technology and further support research into how it could be used in the steel industry and beyond.
The tech has been developed by the University of Sheffield and was showcased by one of the people behind it, Dr George Dowson, to Environment Agency members on a recent site visit.
The CO2 captured at the company’s Central Power Station will be bottled in gas cylinders and taken to the University where it will be converted into synthetic transport fuels.
Dr Andy Trowsdale, British Steel’s Head of Research and Development, said: “This project is all about testing the capabilities of the technology. If it works for us, and others, it could be scaled-up and play an important role in carbon capture, utilisation and storage.”
Breach of immigration rules earns eight-year directorship ban
“Improving director conduct is a key priority for the Insolvency Service and we will continue to work with our partners at the Home Office to clamp down on those who do not meet the standards we expect.”
Storm Hand Car Wash, which trades as Storm Car Wash Limited, was incorporated in July 2020, with Horvath as its sole director. Immigration Enforcement visited it in June 2022, finding five men in their 20s with no right to work in the UK. Three were from Eritrea, with the other two from Iran and Iraq. Storm Hand Car Wash was fined £75,000 for the immigration breaches, which remains unpaid, but has been passed to specialist debt recovery contractors for enforcement action. Theresa Gregory, the Home Office’s Immigration Compliance Enforcement lead for North East, Yorkshire & Humber, said: “Illegal working undercuts honest employers, places vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation and disadvantages legitimate job seekers. It also impacts public finances as taxes are not paid by these businesses and workers, which is why tracking down unscrupulous employers is so important.“We’re pleased to secure this director ban following an effective and close working relationship between the Home Office and the Insolvency Service.”