Anglian Water outlines largest ever year of investment focusing on climate resilience, environmental protection and driving down leakage Including £28million of support for customers as cost of living increases Anglian Water has today unveiled a huge £680million investment programme for the year ahead. The largest investment ever planned for a single year will be spent across the entire East of England, which is the driest and one of the fastest-growing parts of the country. The funds will be ploughed into areas of work specifically aimed at preparing the region to meet the urgent challenges of climate change and population growth, as well as protecting the environment. The water company will also continue to offer a wide range of support for customers to help them plan and manage their water bills, as the cost of living increases that have swept the UK over the last 12 months are set to continue. Average water bills for the coming year are expected to be £454 for the year, or just £1.24 per day – an increase of just 6p per day on last year’s charges. This 5% rise compares to a forecasted average energy bill price hike of around 40%. Having a water meter remains the best way of keeping bills affordable as customers only pay for what they use. Anglian Water’s Director of Customer and Wholesale, Pete Holland said: “We know this year is going to be tough for our customers, as the cost of living increases for us all. That’s why we’re committed to keeping water bills as low as possible while still preparing our region to meet the significant challenges of a rapidly changing climate, and growing population. “The average bill of £1.24 per day pays for all the water you need to wash your hands, to drink and to cook, and for every flush of the loo and cycle of the washing machine. But more than that, it helps us build and look after a water network that protects both the environment and our customers while looking ahead to future challenges too.” A £680million investment programme: fit for a changing region Operating in the driest region of the UK, Anglian Water has often highlighted the future challenges of water scarcity facing the East of England. The company’s largest ever five-year business plan, which began in 2020, outlined ground breaking schemes specifically designed to tackle this challenge, while protecting the region’s environment for the long term. The proposals were wholeheartedly endorsed by customers. This is the third year of that cycle and will see boots-on-the-ground as this work continues, including: ·       Environmental investment: £157million to protect and enhance the natural environment by removing chemicals such as phosphates and ammonia from used water, and working with organisations like The Rivers Trusts on river restoration projects to protect some of the region’s unique chalk stream habitats. This work forms part of Anglian’s £800million Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP), which is larger than that of any other water company. ·       Tackling CSOs: Within that programme of work, £52million will be spent on work tackling Combined Storm Overflows by increasing the network’s capacity to store excess rainwater, investigating and remedying the highest spilling CSOs and installing more monitors across the sewer network, so future investment can be targeted in the places where it can have the most benefit for the environment. ·       Securing future supplies: £124million continuing work on the region’s biggest water infrastructure project for a generation, creating hundreds of kilometres of new interconnecting pipelines and associated infrastructure to move water around the region wherever and whenever needed.  This is part of an ambitious new investment in resilience to keep taps running and minimise the impacts of future droughts, and reducing the amount of water taken directly from the environment. ·       Helping customers save water: £31million will be spent on the continuation of the company’s programme to roll out over 1 million upgraded water meters across the region, helping customers to understand their water usage and identifying leaks in customer’s homes to better meet demand for water in the future. ·       Reducing leakage: £11million on continuing to drive down leaks, retaining Anglian Water’s position as having the lowest level of leakage of any water company in the UK, by almost half. The company will also invest heavily in maintaining and improving customer service, providing top quality drinking water and protecting the region against severe weather such as drought and flooding. Continuing support for customers and communities Every year Anglian Water commits £1million to help vulnerable customers facing financial hardship. The year Anglian Water will  continue to extend financial support to over 300,000 households via its WaterCare Service. Alongside helping people who’ve needed financial support this year, the water company has also increased the number of customers signed up to its Priority Services Register, meaning over 250,000 of the most vulnerable customers will get additional help should they need it. The company’s priority service helps a wide range of people, from those with sight, hearing, or mobility difficulties, to parents with babies under 12 months old. The service also provides support to customers with long or short-term medical needs should there be any interruption to their water supply. Pete continued: “Offering the right support for our customers has never been more important. Over the next 12 months we’ll be helping over 300,000 people by putting together packages of support that are tailored to meet their individual needs. This might be through accessing affordable tariffs or payment holidays for those who may be struggling to pay, or could be as simple as direct debit payments to help spread the cost each month. “Whatever the circumstances, our message to customers is simple: if you’re struggling, please get in touch. The sooner we talk, the sooner we can help. And not only with your water bill, our Extra Care team can also signpost you to other support that you may be entitled to. “This is the biggest investment we’ve ever made in a 12-month period and it comes at an incredibly challenging time for everyone. Our customers can be reassured that we invest every pound in doing the right thing now and for the long term. We believe our responsibility is to them, their communities and to the environment we look after.”

Businesses at Thirsk Industrial Park will soon be able to access ultrafast broadband speeds via full fibre provider NYnet Ltd.

For 14 years NYnet – a company wholly owned by ourselves – has worked solely within the public sector providing gigabit broadband to schools, hospitals, GP surgeries as well as local authorities where speed and reliability are essential. NYnet will now extend its Local Full Fibre network to 12 rural business parks across North Yorkshire, which have historically struggled with poor connections, as part of the £3.6m investment which was awarded to us by the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership as part of its allocation from the government’s Getting Building Fund. NYnet’s Chief Executive Officer, Alastair Taylor, said: “We are delighted to be sharing the knowledge and expertise we have developed over more than a decade of working with the public sector to benefit local businesses. “Our provision of gigabit broadband to schools has recently put the county in the top three in the country for school broadband and we hope that the expansion of our service into business parks will help put the region on the map for digital services and capabilities.” The programme will potentially benefit more than 1,000 businesses across the county, enabling them to stay competitive and enhance the economy and attractiveness of North Yorkshire as a place to invest. Executive Member for Access Cllr Don Mackenzie said: “NYnet is well established and highly trusted by public sector services in our region and we are delighted that these benefits will now be available to business parks in rural parts of the county that have typically struggled with reliable connectivity. “The move to expand into the private sector and support rural business is excellent news for our local economy and comes at a time when many organisations are looking to relocate away from big cities, with advances in technology such as this making that possible.” Helen Simpson OBE, Chair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Our region has ambitions to become a greener, fairer, stronger economy and schemes like this will help us get there. Improved digital connectivity is absolutely vital for businesses so we’re really pleased to see the continued progress of this work.”

York is one of 10 areas of the UK with the highest gift card sales in 2021, says fintech Miconex, as local gift cards widen their appeal across the UK and across the generations. York, Aberdeen, Enniskillen, East Ayrshire, Cambridge, Belfast, Barnsley, Perth, East Lothian and Kirkwall recorded sales of over £1.2 million for their local gift cards in 2021, a 32% increase on 2020. Carl Alsop, Operations Manager at York BID said the data shows the universal appeal of local gift cards: “The York Gift Card launched in 2019. We achieved almost £70,000 in sales in 2021, an increase of 47% on 2020 and we’re very proud of that. In 2021 we introduced a second card design, offered free postage on gift cards, and continued to add on businesses. Over 300 businesses now accept the York Gift Card now, making it the biggest in the UK. When you look at the range of businesses, you understand that it can be bought by, and enjoyed, by anyone, no matter their age, and this is reflected in the 2021 sales data, showing the appeal of local gift cards right across the generations. “When we started the gift card, we thought it would be a card primarily for residents, but it really is a card for all. We’ve had York Gift Cards purchased from as far away as Australia, and for such a wide range of reasons, from winning a pumpkin carving competition, thanking someone for taking care of them during lockdown to a gift for a staycation in York. In 2022 we’ll continue to innovate and grow the York Gift Card, there really is no end to the potential of a local gift card, it can always be developed with new businesses joining and new customers using the card.” Miconex increased the reach of its award winning Town & City Gift Card programme to 70 UK and Irish places in 2021. Analysis of 2021 data shows universal appeal for its local gift cards across the age brackets for both the initial sale of gift cards, and the value of that initial gift card sale. 25-34 year olds lead on gift card transactions but 35-44 year olds lead on gift card value in the UK. In the UK, 25-34 year olds were responsible for 25.44% of gift card transactions, followed by 35-44 year olds (21.15%), 18-24 (15.79%), 45-54 (14.77%), 55-64 (13.74%) and 65+ (9.11%). Higher purchasing value for the 35-44 age group placed this segment into top place for local gift card transaction value in the UK (28.96%), followed by 25-34 (19.94%, 55-64 (16.25%), 45-54 (15.87%), 18-24 (9.93%) and 65+ (9.05%). Women led the way in initial gift card sales and transaction value in the UK at 57%. Colin Munro is the managing director of Miconex: “It’s really encouraging that support for local businesses is coming from all across the UK, and from all ages. Our places, like York, have created a local gift card that people want to buy and receive as a gift. Customers can pick up the gift card and instantly see many, many businesses where they could spend their card. It makes the idea of loving local easy for customers to achieve, and to share with others. “As well as the number of businesses, the unique mix of hospitality, retail, attractions and services on the York Gift Card is integral to its success, and is a huge contributing factor to their universal appeal. Whether someone is 18 or 80, there is an activity they’d enjoy, a restaurant they can visit, or a shop they can buy from, all through their gift card. “It’s particularly encouraging to see the adoption of local gift cards by younger people, in both the 25-34 and 18-24 age groups. These age groups may spend slightly less when they buy the gift card initially, but they back the concept of shop local which is vital for the recovery of our businesses, and the future of our high streets. As we roll out our new digital gift cards, we are continuing on our journey to make shop local easy, convenient and appealing to the whole community.”

A new grant scheme to supercharge digital growth across North Lincolnshire launches today. The Government-funded £150,000 cash pot will enable companies to invest in new technology to help them grow, creating more jobs and opportunities. The grants – which can be up to £5,000 – will be targeted at companies looking to invest in the latest technology. This can be anything from specialist cutting-edge hardware and software, upgrading internet connections, buying e-commerce equipment and paying for marketing campaigns or consultancy costs. Businesses of all sizes are eligible to apply, with the minimum award being £1,000. This latest grant programme comes after the launch at the end of last year of start-up grants for new businesses and sustainability grants so companies can upgrade to cleaner and greener equipment. It is part of the council’s pledge to deliver on the levelling-up agenda and support a strong, diverse business sector that will create jobs and enable growth. Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This money will help arm businesses with the cutting-edge technology they need to flourish in the 21st century. “Digitalisation is a key enabler for development, and we are already forging ahead with plans to bring full-fibre connectivity to North Lincolnshire. Businesses can take advantage of that, and more, with the help of these grants.” Ultrafast fibre was installed in parts of Scunthorpe last year and around 900 more commercial properties will be soon able to access the gigabit-enabled broadband thanks to more Government cash, part of the £27m Towns Fund deal for North Lincolnshire. For more information on eligibility for the new grants and to apply, go to the Invest In North Lincolnshire website to book an appointment with a business advisor.

The Government’s White Paper on Levelling Up the UK published yesterday has been broadly welcomed by the Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Pat Doody. The White Paper recognises the value of business-led Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and sets out a 12-point plan for reducing geographical inequalities across the country. But Pat Doody says the lack of devolved powers or a county deal for Lincolnshire is a missed opportunity for the area. “We’re very pleased to see that this Government recognises the value of business-led LEPs and has embedded the role of LEPs in Government policy for the first time,” said Pat. “The White Paper confirms that having an independent business voice in the decision-making process is vital for the economic wellbeing of local areas, skills and jobs. We are committed to working with Government to underpin that, to help build the new structures outlined in the White Paper and to focus on the priorities it sets out.” Pat welcomed the missions set out in the White Paper, in particular the commitment to investing in education in Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire will become one of 55 new Education Investment Areas aiming to improve education for disadvantaged children and young people. The county will receive targeted support including priority for new specialist sixth-form free schools, help for schools to retain the best teachers in high-priority subjects, and access to a new pilot programme to improve pupil attendance. “The increased investment in education is to be welcomed, as is the commitment to increase public funding for research and development away from the South East by 40%,” said Pat. “We will work with business and the universities to make sure we get our fair share of R&D opportunities in Greater Lincolnshire. “And it was encouraging to see our UK Food Valley highlighted in the White Paper as a good example of private sector initiatives supported by the public sector, and the Lincolnshire Institute of Technology cited too.” However, the Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP voiced a concern that future funding for Greater Lincolnshire might not match levels of EU funding seen in the past. “We welcome the news that the process of bidding for funding will be simplified, but the criteria for qualifying to receive cash are still unclear. We remain concerned that money from the Shared Prosperity Fund will not be sufficient to match previous regional funding from the EU for Greater Lincolnshire,” he said. Pat also expressed disappointment that Lincolnshire was not included in the first-wave list of areas to be offered devolution deals. Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Hull/East Yorkshire are all included. “We were disappointed to see that Greater Lincolnshire was not announced in the first wave for a devolution deal, despite being surrounded by areas that were invited,” he said. “As a LEP we will continue to put our shoulder to the wheel by lobbying for Greater Lincolnshire and by working at pace with our local authority partners to seek an early devolution deal. “Our opportunity has been unrealised and under-invested in for decades, and levelling up will only be achieved if it is a priority shared by the whole of Government, working with local and regional leaders.” We all know that we are stronger together, and the Greater Lincolnshire voice must continue to be united and strong.”