A new multimillion-pound plan aims to guarantee a healthy working life to everyone in West Yorkshire, through new personalised support for people who are out of work because of a disability or health condition.
The region’s £37 million plan for healthy working life has been co-created with the NHS following consultation with residents and employers. It aims to grow the economy and put more money in people’s pockets by supporting those with sickness or disability into secure, well-paid work.
By bringing health services together with providers of employment support – including job centres, charities, councils and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority – the region’s Mayor and NHS leadership have pledged to deliver the “healthiest residents and workforce in England by 2040.”
They will do this by ending the approach of public services working in isolation from each other, which fails to acknowledge the full needs of a person who is being held back unfairly by a health condition. Instead, by providing a joined-up approach, patients will receive a wrap-around service made possible by devolution. For example, individuals may receive expert employment advice as part of their NHS treatment or care pathway.
Mayor Tracy Brabin said the plan marked a “watershed moment” for West Yorkshire, where the right support would help to ensure that everyone who was able to work, could.
The ambitious regional plan has been made possible by the UK Government’s Plan for Change. This aims to boost living standards and grow the economy by unlocking work for the 2.8 million people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness, including by funding and devolving services so they can be joined up at a regional level to have a bigger impact.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’ve spoken to people across our great region who are living with health conditions, and the answer was clear – too many people feel written off from good health and good work when the right support could transform their lives.
“Today marks a watershed moment for our region. By joining up health, skills and work with a multimillion-pound plan that’s backed by the government, we’ll ensure that everyone can get the personalised support they need to succeed.
“To grow our economy we must unlock the potential of everyone in it, and that includes giving those with health conditions a fair chance to flourish. Through our strong regional partnership, we’ll build a healthier, wealthier West Yorkshire.”
Rob Webster CBE, Chief Executive of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “This is good news for people in West Yorkshire and the wider region. We know good work is a route to good health. We also know that there are people in West Yorkshire who are economically inactive due to their health conditions who want to be supported to stay in work or get back into work.
“We have a history of good collaboration in West Yorkshire and will use this resource to show how better, joined up support for people can change lives.”
The launch of the plan follows the selection of Wakefield by the government to be the first place in the country to trial a new, more personalised Jobs and Careers Service for jobseekers.
Under the pilot, the jobcentre will test bold new ideas, including working more closely with local employers to provide clear pathways into good jobs. The reforms are aimed at involving local areas in the design and delivery of welfare services to bring an end to the Whitehall-led, one-size-fits-all approach.
Yorkshire sees continuing fall in insolvency-related activity and business start-ups
The rate of both new business starts-ups and insolvency-related activity dropped for the second consecutive month in Yorkshire and the Humber in May, while other regions saw sharp rises in insolvency-related activity, according to the latest research from R3, the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body.
Based on analysis of data provided by Creditsafe, the report shows a 10% decline in insolvency-related activity in the region last month, while new Yorkshire and Humber business start-ups also fell by 5%.
Business start-up rates dropped across every region of the UK, with Northern Ireland seeing the largest decline in new businesses, at 17% down, and the South East experiencing a fall of just 3%.
Insolvency-related activity, which includes liquidator and administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings, rose sharply in Scotland, where it was up by 30%, and the West Midlands (up 26%). The largest drop in insolvency-related activity was in the North West, which saw a 20% decrease.
Dave Broadbent, chair of R3 in Yorkshire and partner at Begbies Traynor in York and Teesside, said: “Businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber are under real and increasing pressure at the moment and it is no wonder that this is also continuing to suppress entrepreneurial activity and new business growth.
“Rising costs across the board, from energy to raw materials, combined with high interest rates and tighter consumer spending, are in many cases putting a significant strain on cash flow, especially for small and medium-sized firms.
“For smaller businesses in particular it can often take only a few late payments or a quiet couple of months to cause real concern. Many business owners are working incredibly hard just to stay afloat, and it’s understandable that it can feel overwhelming.
“But it’s always important to stress that business owners don’t have to face these challenges alone. If your business is starting to struggle financially, speak to a qualified insolvency or restructuring professional as early as possible. The sooner you get help, the more options you’ll have to turn things around.
“These are people who are vastly experienced in working with businesses in difficulty and, in many cases, they can help you find a way to stabilise things and start moving forward again. It’s not about giving up but about giving your business the best possible chance to recover – and reaching out early can make all the difference.”
Commercial door and roller shutter system service provider sold
A commercial door and roller shutter system maintenance and service business has been acquired by a national building services provider, in a deal supported by FRP Corporate Finance.
Ascot Doors (Service), founded in 2018, offers a fully self-delivered supply and install, service, maintenance and reactive response solution for the retail, industrial, commercial and emergency services sectors. Headquartered in Barnsley, it operates six depots nationwide and employs 59 people.
The business has been acquired by andwis – a network of 21 technical building and compliance service companies, backed by global private equity firm H.I.G Capital, that provides building maintenance services for a range of organisations across defence, healthcare, education, retail and hospitality.
FRP Corporate Finance’s Manchester-based team, led by partner Daniel Brecker and manager Amy Murphy, was appointed by the shareholders of Ascot Doors (Service), BREAL Group, to support the sale of Ascot Doors (Service) from within BREAL Capital (Ascot) Limited.
The FRP Corporate Finance team identified andwis as a suitable buyer, before managing negotiations, supporting on all aspects of the deal including completion mechanisms and project management of all transaction workstreams. The transaction marked a successful exit for BREAL Group, which has retained ownership over the other two entities within BREAL Capital (Ascot).
The deal will allow Ascot Doors (Service) to benefit from andwis’ vast network of businesses in the sector, provide a fuller range of technical and compliance service offerings to clients and collaborate with other entrance specialists like Meesons and Etron UK Limited to support its plans for growth. All Ascot Doors (Service) team members will join andwis.
Daniel Brecker, partner at FRP Corporate Finance, said: “The interest shown in this business demonstrates the appetite amongst trade buyers for companies that have built up an excellent reputation for service and a strong, recurring customer base.
“After extensive market research, we identified andwis as a great fit to help the business continue to develop, with its existing network in this sector providing a strong platform for Ascot Doors Service to continue to grow. I look forward to seeing both parties reap the rewards from this deal in the coming years.”
Paul Redfern, managing director of Ascot Doors Service, added: “We’re excited to begin this new chapter. While continuing to serve our clients with the same dedication, joining andwis allows us to offer a broader range of technical and compliance services.
“We appointed FRP Corporate Finance for its deep sector knowledge and the team certainly didn’t disappoint. In andwis, it has helped us to find a great partner to take the business forward and we’re grateful for the support Daniel and the team provided us throughout this sale.”
Leeds Beckett earns reaccreditation for SME support
Leeds Beckett University has secured reaccreditation of the Small Business Charter Award, recognising its continued contribution to SME growth, innovation, and leadership development across the region.
First granted in 2016, the accreditation highlights the university’s long-term impact on small business ecosystems through initiatives such as Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, the Help to Grow: Management programme, and its dedicated Leadership Centre.
The reaccreditation signals Leeds Beckett’s role as a key B2B partner for SME engagement, with a focus on innovation, workforce development, and succession planning. Examples include collaborations with Colchester Machine Tool Solutions on leadership transformation and culture change, as well as Aquatrust on remote monitoring innovation for the water hygiene sector.
The award, valid for five years, places Leeds Beckett among a select group of UK institutions recognised for excellence in SME support, positioning it to scale its role in regional economic development further.
Data centre project raises emissions concerns for UK businesses
A proposed £10 billion AI data centre in Lincolnshire has sparked environmental scrutiny, with projected annual carbon emissions exceeding 850,000 tonnes, five times more than Birmingham Airport. The 15-warehouse facility, planned for a site east of Scunthorpe, is currently under public consultation and would draw 3.7 billion kWh of electricity a year, according to documents reviewed by national media.
The proposal highlights growing concerns among stakeholders over the environmental footprint of AI infrastructure. Researchers have noted that AI’s exponential computing demands far exceed those of traditional IT, resulting in increased energy use and water consumption for cooling. In some regions, data centres have been accused of competing with local communities for essential water supplies.
Industry experts warn that the rapid deployment of AI has outpaced the development of environmental oversight. While AI offers potential efficiencies, the infrastructure behind it remains resource-intensive, raising questions for companies that balance digital transformation with their ESG responsibilities.
The data centre debate comes as the Labour government pledges to position the UK as an “energy superpower” while simultaneously pushing for a 20-fold increase in AI computing capacity. Environmental organisations are closely monitoring developments, with legal challenges likely if climate commitments are not upheld.
Evri ramps up hiring after DHL deal
Evri is set to hire 5,000 additional couriers across the UK as part of a major expansion following its agreement to merge with DHL’s UK ecommerce business. The new hires will boost Evri’s self-employed courier network to 33,000, the highest in its history.
Roughly 1,000 of the new roles will be permanent, with the remainder offering flexible terms to meet heightened demand during the summer and peak delivery seasons. Recruitment will target key regions including Plymouth, Bury, Hastings, Dover, and Scarborough.
The hiring surge comes on the heels of Evri’s recently announced joint venture with DHL, creating one of the UK’s largest parcel and letter delivery companies. The move signals Evri’s entry into the business letter market, where it will now compete with Royal Mail. The merged business expects to handle more than one billion parcels and one billion letters annually.
Evri, formerly Hermes, was acquired by Apollo Global Management last year in a deal valued at approximately £2.7 billion. It has since invested £32 million in improving customer service, though delivery performance remains a priority area for improvement. The firm says its couriers earn an average of £20.90 per hour.
New employment park planned for Scunthorpe growth corridor
A 77-acre business park is set to be developed near junction 3 of the M180 as part of the Lincolnshire Lakes strategic growth zone. The project, named Forge Point, is being led by property developer Hargreaves Land and will form part of a wider mixed-use development that includes thousands of new homes and community infrastructure.
Forge Point is positioned to accommodate up to 959,300 square feet of new commercial space and is expected to offer both freehold and leasehold design-and-build options. It sits adjacent to land earmarked for 550 homes, forming part of a larger 6,000-home target across the Lincolnshire Lakes scheme.
The business park aligns with the area’s Area Action Plan, which supports the integration of high-tech business units, offices, and hospitality facilities to drive long-term economic development.
The site’s proximity to major transport links and a growing residential base is expected to appeal to logistics, advanced manufacturing, and professional services firms seeking scalable space in the North Lincolnshire region.
Wakefield launches trial to reshape UK jobcentres
Wakefield has become the national testbed for a new government employment initiative aimed at overhauling jobcentre services across the UK. The Pathfinder pilot, launched this week, introduces locally tailored employment support in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Wakefield Council.
The trial includes a coaching academy, industry-focused careers events, and a more personalised jobcentre appointment model. It’s designed to move away from a centralised, standardised approach and allow local authorities to shape employment services that better reflect regional needs and employer demand.
The initiative also expands support to a broader audience, not just jobcentre claimants, helping to match local talent with roles in growth sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and the creative industries.
The first careers event under the scheme, held at Wakefield Exchange, targeted the creative sector and brought together local employers and training providers. Additional events focusing on manufacturing and technology are scheduled for the coming months.
According to government data, only 9% of employers currently recruit through jobcentres. The Pathfinder programme aims to bridge this gap by fostering stronger connections between employers, training providers, and job seekers.
If successful, the Wakefield trial will inform a nationwide rollout later this year.
New car registrations inch upward, but pressure on margins intensifies
The UK’s new car market saw a modest uptick in May, with registrations rising 1.6% year-on-year to 150,070 units, marking the best May performance since 2021. However, volumes remain 18.3% below pre-pandemic levels, highlighting persistent economic fragility.
Fleet and business buyers drove the recovery, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the market. Fleet registrations rose 3.7%, while business volumes surged 14.4%. In contrast, private sales declined for the second consecutive month, down 2.3%, underscoring a cautious consumer outlook.
Demand for electrified vehicles climbed sharply. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations increased by 25.8% year-over-year, accounting for 21.8% of the market. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) grew 50.8%, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) increased by 6.8%. Combined, electrified models captured 47.3% of new car sales. However, BEVs remain below the regulatory target, with a year-to-date market share of 20.9%, which is short of the mandated 28%.
Manufacturers continue to rely heavily on discounting and incentives, particularly for electric vehicles (EVs), to sustain momentum. This reliance, coupled with existing cost pressures, raises concerns about long-term profitability and investment in product development.
The breadth of electrified offerings has expanded, with over 135 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) now available. Despite this, calls for stronger government support, through VAT cuts and tax reforms, are growing louder as the industry pushes toward net-zero targets.
Sheffield Technology Parks adds legal and digital expertise to board
Sheffield Technology Parks has expanded its leadership team with the appointment of two new board members, reinforcing its focus on supporting early-stage tech businesses and driving innovation across South Yorkshire.
Mel Kanarek, a prominent figure in the region’s digital economy, joins with over 20 years of experience building and connecting digital communities. She is known for co-founding Sheffield Digital, which supports and promotes the city’s tech ecosystem. Her appointment signals STP’s continued emphasis on strengthening its role within the local startup and digital innovation space.
Joining alongside Kanarek is Claire Mayfield-Tulip, a senior commercial property lawyer with more than two decades of experience advising businesses across Sheffield and the wider region. Her expertise in property development and commercial legal matters is expected to support STP’s ambitions to expand physical infrastructure for growing tech enterprises.
The appointments come at a strategic moment for Sheffield Technology Parks as it looks to develop innovation spaces and deepen collaboration across business, academic, and public sector partners. The organisation is positioning itself as a key driver in making Sheffield a nationally recognised hub for digital entrepreneurship and tech-led growth.
