A project that has supported South Yorkshire businesses to cut emissions, reduce costs, and boost efficiency has been expanded thanks to an additional £1.6m investment.
The Low Carbon Project provides dedicated support and a source of funding to help local businesses reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions. Businesses benefit from fully funded support, including on-site energy surveys and access to capital grants for improvements such as low-energy lighting, insulation, and efficient heating systems. In the first phase, the project supported 223 businesses with £3.2 million in funding. The second phase will run until March 2026 and aims to support a further 144 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster, and Rotherham. Sheffield City Council is leading the initiative, with the support of South Yorkshire’s other local authorities who are helping to deliver this support across the entire region. The project is part-funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund via the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. Councillor Mohammed Mahroof, chair of the economic development, skills and culture committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We know many business owners want to reduce energy costs and do their bit for the planet, but it can be difficult to plan how to do this effectively, and to find the money to pay for carbon-saving measures. “That is where this brilliant scheme can help. Specialist advisors will help businesses identify where they can make changes that save budgets and tackle the climate crisis. Low carbon grants give businesses the financial support they need to make changes that will reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.” The Council’s Business Sheffield team will continue to provide one-to-one support to local SMEs, guiding them from initial assessment through to grant application and implementation.Yorkshire business confidence dips in June
Business confidence in Yorkshire fell three points during June to 49%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.
While companies in Yorkshire reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up two points at 61%, their optimism in the economy fell nine points to 37%. Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 49% (vs. 52% in May).
Looking ahead to the next six months, Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth as investing in their team, for example through training (47%), evolving their offering, for example by introducing new products and services (42%), and entering new markets (34%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly and which has been running since 2002, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
National picture
Overall, UK business confidence increased one point in June to 51%.
Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects strengthened one point to 57%, while their confidence in the wider economy also rose one point to 45%.
Wales was the most confident UK nation or region in June (67%), followed by London (64%).
Sector insights
Business confidence in the manufacturing and retail sectors saw significant gains this month, with 12-point rises in both sectors to 52%. For manufacturing, this demonstrates an 11-month high.
Construction and services however saw decreases in confidence, with falls by five points and four points respectively.
Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds, said: “While overall confidence in the region has dipped slightly, it’s encouraging to see that Yorkshire businesses are increasingly optimistic when it comes to their own trading prospects.
“Firms’ focus on steps such as investing in people, innovating in products and services, and exploring new markets reflects the strength of the region’s ambition, and we’ll be ready to support Yorkshire’s businesses as they look to translate this into further growth.”
Accu secures naming rights for Huddersfield Town’s stadium in landmark deal
Accu, a Huddersfield-based e-commerce company, has taken over the naming rights of the stadium from John Smiths in a deal set to last until at least 2030. The partnership sees the stadium renamed Accu Stadium, effective immediately.
This move highlights the strategic alignment between the football club and Accu, with both entities sharing a vision for innovation, local pride, and community development. The agreement will also support Huddersfield Town’s future investments both on and off the pitch.
Accu, which supplies components globally and employs over 130 staff, is committed to sustainability, including net-zero goals, and plans to collaborate with the club on various community projects. These include education-driven STEM outreach, community development, and enhanced fan engagement during match days.
The stadium’s new identity will debut at a friendly match against Burnley FC on 26 July 2025. The partnership marks a new chapter in Huddersfield’s sporting landscape, with Accu joining as the club’s primary sponsor, taking over from Heineken, who will continue as a partner under a new pouring rights agreement.
University of Huddersfield earns top disability inclusion accreditation
The University of Huddersfield has achieved the highest level of the government’s Disability Confident scheme, earning Disability Confident Leader status. This accreditation, valid until 2028, signifies the University’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive workplace and enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, and neurodivergent conditions.
Disability Confident Leader accreditation recognises organisations for their proactive approach to disability inclusion. The University’s efforts include providing accessible recruitment processes, supporting disabled employees, and improving policies around health, wellbeing, and disability inclusion. The recognition builds on the University’s prior status as a Disability Confident Employer.
As a Disability Confident Leader, the University plans to continue developing best practices and will encourage its network and supply chain to adopt similar inclusive practices. The institution has already made strides in digital accessibility, employee support, and working with supply chain partners to raise awareness of the Disability Confident scheme.
Looking forward, the University will regularly review and update its Disability Confident Action Plan, focusing on the reporting period from 2025 to 2028. The first initiative under this new status will be the rollout of a Health Adjustments Passport, designed in collaboration with the Staff Disability Network and Neurodiversity Staff Group.
£190m of investment completed in South Yorkshire
Nearly £190m of investment has been completed in South Yorkshire over the last two years backing capital projects and Investment Zone activity supporting business expansion, new housebuilding, improvements to transport infrastructure and flood prevention.
A total of £181m from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s (SYMCA) Capital Investment Programme has supported the completion of projects across South Yorkshire, working with local partners, to create a wealthier, healthier, happier and safer region.
A meeting of the SYMCA Board heard the investment supported the completion of 22 projects in South Yorkshire in 2024/25 – totalling £39m.
The investment brings the total to 62 completed projects in South Yorkshire worth £181m over the past two years.
A further 148 projects across South Yorkshire are now being delivered or are in the development stages – with investment totalling more than £742.7m including Barnsley Health on the High Street, Doncaster Waterfront, Rotherham Mainline Station and the Castle Project in Sheffield.
Further investment has come from the Investment Zone – the first Investment Zone (IZ) in the UK. In its first year of activity 2024-25, £8m of SYMCA investment brought in £71m of private investment.
IZ investments have been made across the four boroughs of South Yorkshire including funding to support business expansion, a hydrogen demonstrator, blade manufacturing, and supporting entrepreneurs.
South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard said: “My job is growth, across all four corners of South Yorkshire.
“That means investing our money in plans and projects that unlock the potential of Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Sheffield. Working with our local councils, I’ve been able to fund nearly £190m of capital investment – money to build things, make things happen, and bring some iconic buildings and sites back to life.
“From housing to transport to redevelopment of our town and city centres, we’re funding significant improvements that will make people happier, healthier, wealthier, better protected, and better connected.
“People don’t always know that it’s the office of the Mayor that is behind some of these projects, but I couldn’t be prouder of that work, or of the impact we’re having right across our community.”
Government plans to fine supermarkets for not selling healthier food
Supermarkets in England could face fines if they fail to meet new health standards aimed at reducing obesity. As part of a 10-year strategy to combat diet-related diseases, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is rolling out a “healthy food standard” for retailers and manufacturers.
The policy, initially developed by Nesta, introduces health targets for retailers with flexibility in meeting them. Options include adjusting recipes, running promotions on healthier items, or redesigning store layouts. Supermarkets will be required to report sales data, and those not meeting the targets may incur financial penalties.
Nesta analysed 36 million supermarket transactions and set a target of raising the average health score of shopping baskets from 67 to 69 out of 100. This increase, according to Nesta’s modelling, could reduce obesity rates by 20% within three years, helping over three million people reach a healthier weight.
The government plans to implement mandatory reporting by 2029, with the full health standard expected to be achieved thereafter. Retail leaders have expressed support for the initiative, emphasising its role in fostering healthier eating habits across the nation.
UK industrial firms to face £685m property tax increase despite energy cost cuts
UK industrial companies are set to face a £685 million increase in property taxes, which could offset the recent reductions in energy bills aimed at improving their competitiveness. A new business rates levy, affecting approximately 4,300 large industrial properties in key sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and chemicals, will take effect in April 2026. This levy is part of the broader business rates revaluation, which aims to fund tax breaks for the high street retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors.
This move follows the government’s recent announcement of energy cost cuts for energy-intensive businesses, including the removal of green levies, which is expected to benefit over 7,000 firms. While some sectors, such as steel and chemicals, will receive additional support through reduced network charges, the new property tax increases are expected to offset these benefits.
Experts argue that the UK’s industrial strategy lacks cohesion, with one hand offering energy savings and the other imposing higher property taxes. The country already has some of the highest property taxes in the developed world, and critics warn that this could undermine the effectiveness of the government’s energy support plans.
The government maintains that its approach will create a fairer system for businesses, but industry leaders are calling for a more unified strategy that addresses the full cost burden faced by industrial firms.
UK launches global talent drive for science and tech innovation
The UK government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at attracting top-tier global researchers and innovators, supported by a £54 million fund. This move comes as part of the country’s broader strategy to enhance its competitive edge in key sectors like science, technology, and engineering.
The Global Talent Taskforce, formed as part of the government’s industrial strategy, is designed to target and attract world-class talent, including researchers, entrepreneurs, and high-calibre professionals. By fostering connections between international networks and the UK’s growing industries, the taskforce aims to strengthen the nation’s innovation capabilities. This initiative is aligned with the government’s ambition to create more skilled jobs and support economic growth.
The £54 million Global Talent Fund will be allocated over the next five years, funding relocation and research costs for researchers and their teams. Leading universities and research institutions will oversee the fund’s distribution, ensuring that the most suitable candidates are selected to contribute to strategic UK industries. In addition, new fast-track research grant routes, backed by organisations like the Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, will help attract international talent in AI and green technology.
This combined effort demonstrates the UK’s determination to remain a global leader in innovation, with over £115 million of funding dedicated to recruiting the world’s brightest minds.
Evri expands UK delivery network with 10,000 parcel lockers
Evri is rolling out a vast network of 10,000 smart parcel lockers across the UK, as part of a £50 million investment aimed at improving delivery convenience. The lockers, available 24/7 for both parcel pick-ups and returns, come in response to growing demand for flexible delivery options. The company has already seen a remarkable 500% rise in locker usage over the past year.
With plans to have 2,000 lockers operational by Christmas 2025, Evri aims to complete the rollout by 2030. The lockers will feature advanced technology, including label printers, drop boxes, and parcel detection sensors, designed to streamline the final delivery stage and cut costs.
The expansion also supports Evri’s broader commitment to sustainability, offering an alternative to doorstep deliveries, which can be resource-intensive. Alongside this initiative, Evri will continue expanding its ParcelShop network, providing more drop-off and collection points across the UK.
As the company grows, it’s also set to enter the UK business letter market through its recent merger with DHL’s e-commerce arm. While this move strengthens Evri’s competitive position, it is being reviewed by UK regulators due to potential concerns over market dominance.
Construction begins on hundreds of new Leeds homes
Construction has begun on the latest phase of the East Leeds Extension – one of the region’s largest infrastructure projects that could see up to 5,000 new homes built.
Persimmon has started work on their Morwick Green development, the next phase of the 575-acre East Leeds Extension which extends around the areas of Red Hall, Swarcliffe, Whinmoor, and Crossgates. 528 new homes will be built on the site, with 80 properties to be earmarked as a mixture of social rent and intermediate rent. Homes will include a mix of 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes, as well as 1 and 2-bed apartments – all of which will be fitted with air source heat pumps and EV chargers. Persimmon will contribute more than £12m towards the construction of the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR) and almost £1.5m towards primary education in the area, as well as improvements to local bus services and travel. The development will also contribute to the future delivery of a new two form entry primary school, a retail unit and community facility to the south of Leeds / Barwick Road as well as new sports pitches in the local area. James Parkin, land director, Persimmon West Yorkshire, said: “We’re delighted to be starting work on our latest development within the East Leeds Extension. “Morwick Green is an incredibly exciting development for us and is the product of decades of collaboration with the local community, stakeholders, the Council and adjoining developers. “We’re looking forward to bringing these much-needed high quality homes to fruition which we’re sure will prove popular with local homebuyers.”