UK steelmake slumps to lowest level since the Great Depression

Stuart Pearcey
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UK steelmake slumps to lowest level since the Great Depression
UK Steel, the trade association for the UK steel industry, says that high energy prices and weak demand are taking an enormous toll on UK steel production, with the amount of steel made in the UK during 2022 dropping to its lowest level since the Great Depression. Production fell by 17% on the year to 6 million tonnes, says UK Steel, and efforts to boost the sector’s competitiveness need accelerating. Steel trade activity reduced both in the UK and globally as supply chains were disrupted and demand has reduced. In 2022, UK market demand for steel fell by 15% to 8.9mt, only slightly higher than 8.6mt in 2020 during Covid, raw material costs remained at historically high levels and energy prices soared. Gareth Stace, Director General of UK Steel, said: “High costs are hard to swallow and force production levels down. This February, Government announced policy plans for renewable levies, capacity charges and network costs to alleviate energy cost burdens for steel producers and improve competitiveness, but regulations may not all take effect until 2025. “Government needs to back British-made steel now more than ever. The already challenging demand environment is only worsened by elevated energy prices. Steel companies in the UK are footing electricity bills of 60% more than our direct competitors in Germany. “Statistics show the stark reality of how UK steel is suffering. British-made steel plays a key role within supply security against conflict and political sanctions. This is exactly why we are asking Government to implement its highly welcomed energy policy measures by April 2024.”

White Rose Rail Station takes shape as Spencer Group delivers for partners

Michael Fisher
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White Rose Rail Station takes shape as Spencer Group delivers for partners
Rail infrastructure specialist Spencer Group is making significant progress on the construction of a £26.5 million station in South Leeds. Situated between Morley and Cottingley, the White Rose Rail Station will be located on the main trans-Pennine route to Manchester via Huddersfield. It will be a two-platform station providing improved access to the adjacent White Rose office park, shopping centre and bus interchange. The fully accessible station will include cycle storage next to the White Rose Park, along with improved walking and cycling routes between Cottingley, Churwell and Millshaw, and the White Rose Shopping Centre and bus interchange. Hull-based Spencer Group is delivering the project for White Rose owner Munroe K in conjunction with Network Rail, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council and the Department for Transport. Construction of the new station, which will replace Cottingley Rail Station, is scheduled to be completed later this year and is expected to open in early 2024. Joe Bennett, Operations Director at Spencer Group, said: “We’ve been working closely with key stakeholders to bring the White Rose Rail Station to fruition and, as a local contractor, are pleased to play our part in helping our infrastructure in the North. “Over the coming months, the commitment and hard work the partnership and key stakeholders have demonstrated in getting the scheme to this point will be rewarded with significant physical progress on the site. “The erection of the lift cores and link bridge walkways, connecting the platform works already undertaken, will transform the look of the project and enable people to see the facility for the first time. It’s an exciting time for all involved.” Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracey Brabin, visited the site to see the progress being made on the project. The visit included a first look at the steel frames for the new station buildings, which will house two lifts and the stairs to the station platforms. This work follows the installation of the station platforms on the railway line embankment. Ms Brabin said: “We’re determined to create a stronger, fairer and better-connected region so that everybody has the same opportunity to get on in life. Investing in transport that supports economic growth is absolutely vital. “I’m proud that together we’re investing £26.5 million in a new White Rose Rail Station. “This investment will bring new opportunities for people in Cottingley, Churwell, Millshaw, Morley and beyond by boosting transport links and local regeneration, including housing and job growth.” The scheme has received funding from the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme and £5 million from the Department for Transport’s New Stations Fund, alongside contributions from Munroe K. David Aspin, CEO of Munroe K, said: “For a long time now I’ve had the ambition to bring a fully accessible new station to White Rose Park and to see it nearing completion is immensely rewarding. “Delivering the UK’s very first railway station through public and private sector partnership has been a real testament to everyone involved. “The new station can be the catalyst to unlock real economic development in this area of south Leeds, providing our local communities with better links to education and employment opportunities. Its location at the White Rose Park makes it accessible to many more people living in the area and beyond.” Students from nearby Elliot Hudson College have taken part in work experience with Spencer Group at the site to learn more about the project and careers in the industry. Rosie Quashie, Vice Principal at the college, said: “Work experience placements such as those our students have been able to access at the White Rose Rail Station construction site are so important. “Working with the staff at Spencer Group has provided our students with a wide range of transferable employability skills and enabled them to gain invaluable experience of the scheme and the different career opportunities in engineering and construction, and this has really supported them in deciding their career destinations after leaving Elliot Hudson College. “Many of our students rely on public transport and will benefit from the new station when it opens next year.”

BCC Director General urges Government to take more action to support business

Stuart Pearcey
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BCC Director General urges Government to take more action to support business
Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce Shevaun Haviland has  urged the Government to reconnect with business as firms see no progress on the barriers to growth. At this week’s British Chambers of Commerce Global Annual Conference she urged Government to put business at the heart of its plans to revive the UK economy. And with a General Election less than 18 months away she set out the keys issues that matter most to firms, and that only by addressing these could business confidence be regained after being battered and bruised by the pandemic, the fallout from the war in Ukraine, and last year’s political chaos. she said: “As we move forward into an increasingly digital age, it’s vital that we answer the crucial questions that firms are asking. “How can we use AI to revolutionise the way we operate? What policies could help us embrace its benefits?  And how can we safeguard against negative consequences and ensure no one is left behind in this new digital age? “At the Chambers, we’re led by one of Britain’s true digital pioneers. Our President, Martha Lane Fox has been at the heart of digital innovation. [We must] harness the transformative power of technology, tackle the challenges ahead and redesign our future.” Emphasising the importance of international trade in growing the UK economy, she said: “Post-Brexit, the UK is figuring out its economic role in the world.  Both exports and inward investment are facing growing competition. “But it’s a problem we are well placed to help solve. We know how to find opportunities and partners all over the world and give businesses the tools to break into new markets. “We are working to ensure that the UK continues to be a great place to invest. “So that when global investors are deciding where to put their money, they see in the UK the conditions, talent, and access to finance that make it one of the best places in the world to invest.” She went on: “The UK is a leader in green innovation but with the lack of direction by government, we are seeing the US and the EU moving ahead, and fast becoming a far more attractive opportunity for those businesses. “This is a huge economic opportunity for UK Plc. New global markets for low carbon products and services are worth an estimated £1trn to the UK by 2030. Let’s not turn our back on that.”

Are you due a tax refund? HMRC would like to help you get it

Stuart Pearcey
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Are you due a tax refund? HMRC would like to help you get it
HM Revenue and Customs is reminding employed workers they can claim a refund on work-related expenses directly through GOV.UK. More than 800,000 taxpayers claimed tax refunds for work expenses during the 2021 to 2022 tax year, but while the average claim was £125, more than 70% of claimants missed out on getting the full amount they were due because they used an agent to make their claim instead of claiming directly with HMRC. It is quick and easy to claim a tax refund directly through HMRC’s online portal on GOV.UK, and the only way to guarantee receiving 100% of the repayment – with no small print and no middlemen taking a cut. Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to The Treasury said: “Nobody should miss out on the full claim of a tax rebate – and by going straight to HMRC people can avoid being left out of pocket because of unscrupulous repayments agents.

“Thanks to our Spring Budget reforms if someone no longer wants an agent involved in their claim, they’ll be able to cancel it so any future rebates will go to the taxpayer in full.”

Jonathan Athow, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Strategy and Tax Design, said: “Every penny counts and we want to make sure employed workers are getting what they deserve – their hard-earned cash straight back into their pockets. To make a claim just search ‘employee tax relief’ on GOV.UK. It is the quickest way of getting a tax refund on your work-related expenses and ensures you get 100% of the money back.” Submitting a claim through HMRC’s online portal itakes about 15 minutes. Customers can use the handy online tool to check eligibility and a full list of work expenses they can claim including:
  • uniforms and work clothing
  • buying work-related equipment
  • professional fees, union memberships, and subscriptions
  • using their own vehicle for work travel (excluding journey from home to work)
Customers who already have a Government Gateway account can follow the step-by-step guidance to submit their claim. Those who need to set an account up can do so quickly and easily via GOV.UK. For customers who are considering using a repayment agent, HMRC is reminding them to be aware that an agent always charges for services – in some cases up to 50% of the value of the claim. And while initially it may seem simpler, customers will need to supply the agent with the same information they could use to make the claim themselves using HMRC’s free online portal. It is important customers understand what they are signing up to. Before signing a contract with a repayment agent, they should research the company and always check the small print to ensure they understand what commission is being charged and how much of their tax refund they are likely to receive back. Customers can find out more about how to make a work-related expense claim and what type of expense they can claim at GOV.UK.

CMA gets involved in Medivet acquisition of Barton vet practice

Stuart Pearcey
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CMA gets involved in Medivet acquisition of Barton vet practice
The Competition and Markets Authority has outlined preliminary concerns that the purchase of a dozen independent veterinary businesses by the Medivet Group, including Barton Companion Animal Services at Barton on Humber, could lead to worse quality, a more limited range of services or higher prices for pet owners in affected areas across England and Northern Ireland. The CMA opened its investigation into Medivet’s purchase of seventeen independent veterinary businesses in March this year. Medivet is a large multinational veterinary group with over 400 veterinary centres across the UK that offer veterinary services primarily to small animals, including at 24-hour centres. This is the fourth CMA investigation into acquisitions in the veterinary sector in the last two years and comes against a backdrop of an increasing number of transactions in which corporate groups purchase small, independent veterinary services across the UK. Medivet’s purchases took place between September 2021 and September 2022. Medivet did not sufficiently publicise the purchases and chose not to notify the CMA at that time. The CMA identified potential concerns as part of its ongoing monitoring of mergers and acquisitions and opened initial investigations in March 2023. Following these investigations, the CMA found competition concerns in relation to 12 transactions regarding the supply of veterinary services for small animals (typically household pets) in 34 local areas across England and Northern Ireland. The CMA also found competition concerns in relation to two of these twelve transactions regarding the supply of out-of-hours veterinary services to small animals in five local areas in England. In each of these deals, the CMA found that the combined businesses would account for a significant proportion of the veterinary services offered in each location of concern. The CMA found no competition concerns arising for three purchases (The Hollies, Canine Healthcare and Withy Grove) and in April found that two purchases (Monument Vets and Stanhope Park) did not meet the statutory requirements to be investigated further. Sorcha O’Carroll, Senior Director of Mergers, at the CMA, said: “There are around 17 million pet-owning homes across the UK with consumers spending around £4 billion a year on vets and other services for pets. Particularly while household budgets are already stretched, it’s crucial that we ensure continued access to good quality pet care at a fair price. “We continue to receive concerns that independent vet practices being bought out by a single company could lead to a loss of competition at a local level resulting in higher prices or lower quality services.

“We will continue to monitor the impact of these types of deals so we can take the necessary action to ensure reduced competition won’t reduce the overall availability and quality of local veterinary services.”

Medivet has five working days to offer legally binding proposals to the CMA to address the competition concerns identified. The CMA would then have a further 5 working days to consider whether to accept these instead of referring the cases to Phase 2 investigations.

JCT600 scoops Retailer of the Year title from Mercedes

Stuart Pearcey
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JCT600 scoops Retailer of the Year title from Mercedes

Family business JCT600 has been named as Retailer of the Year for 2022 by Mercedes- Benz as it recognises its best performing dealerships across the UK.

With Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Sheffield, Doncaster, Harrogate, York and Chesterfield, JCT600 won the coveted award based on its ‘outstanding performance in every area of the business, including new car sales, customer service, approved used car sales, workshop retail hours and customer retention’.

Gary Savage, chief exec and MD of Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: “JCT600 performed consistently strongly across all areas of the business and the team’s collaboration was nothing short of outstanding, with remarkable engagement and positivity.”

Michelle Caveney, Mercedes-Benz brand director for JCT600 said, “It is a fantastic achievement to be recognised in these prestigious awards which celebrate the very best of Mercedes-Benz’s partners throughout the UK.

“This accolade is testament to the hard work and passion of the 200-plus strong team across our five Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, demonstrating their customer-centric approach and continued ability to deliver exceptional service. Ensuring that customers have the very best experience when they visit us is at the heart of what we do – our thanks go to all of our colleagues who make this possible.”

JCT600 has grown from a single dealership into one of the largest privately-owned businesses in Yorkshire. With over 50 dealerships from Yorkshire and the North East to Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, the group represents 23 of the world’s leading car marques and has a team of 2,300 colleagues.

Rewards for efforts to make Lincolnshire apprenticeships work

Stuart Pearcey
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Rewards for efforts to make Lincolnshire apprenticeships work

Lincolnshire apprentices, trainers, and employers who have gone above and beyond to make apprenticeships a success, have been recognised at the Apprenticeship Champions Awards ceremony for 2023.

The overall winner of Apprentice of the Year was Declan Brown who has undertaken an apprenticeship at Scampton Church of England Primary School. Headteacher Charlie Hebborn said, “The impact Declan has in the classroom helps children make good progress in areas such as reading, writing and maths. Pupils learn well because Declan inspires them and is a great role model.” Apprentice Champions were also awarded in sector categories, with the winners being:
  • Health and Care Apprentice Champion – Millie Brightman from Great Northern Physiotherapy Limited
  • Education Apprentice Champion – Declan Brown from Scampton Church of England Primary School
  • Government and Public Service Apprentice Champion – Abbie Beastall from West Lindsey District Council
  • Food Manufacturing Apprentice Champion – Sophie Camm from Bakkavor
  • Construction and Engineering Apprentice Champion – Ellie Wilds from Balfour Beatty
  • Commercial Services Apprentice Champion – Leila Mae Hall from Masons (Louth) Ltd.
Cllr Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for adult learning at the county council, said: “Again this year, we were so impressed by the drive and commitment that all the apprentice nominees have shown to achieving their best, whatever qualification they have been working towards. “Many of them have also achieved personal successes, with their employers commenting on how much they had grown as individuals as well as developing their skills. It was really hard to choose the winners, but all those who were shortlisted should be so proud of their achievements. The awards also celebrate those employers and training providers who have embraced apprenticeships and made the programmes so successful.” Clare Hughes, from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The awards celebration is a great way to showcase how much an apprentice can achieve and congratulations go to all the champions and nominees.  Every year, thousands of people in Lincolnshire start a job as an apprenticeship, because being an apprentice means that you earn a wage and you study for a qualification at the same time as gaining on-the-job skills and experiences that employers value.” In other categories, the Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Training Provider Champion was Grantham College, with a special commendation for HCF CATCH Ltd based in North East Lincolnshire. The Lincolnshire Apprenticeship Employer Champion was Aaron Services – a large multi-fuel heating and hot water contractor with bases in Boston and Lincoln. A special commendation was awarded to Gifts from Handpicked. Gail Dunn, Chair of the Lincolnshire Public Sector Compact group said: “This was another great event, and a big congratulations to all the winners. It’s so important that we promote and

Distribution and manufacturers dominate Yorkshire first quarter industrial activity

Tess Egginton
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Distribution and manufacturers dominate Yorkshire first quarter industrial activity

Distribution and manufacturing companies continue to dominate Yorkshire’s industrial activity in Q1 of 2023, says commercial property agent Knight Frank.

The past year saw distribution firms reign in West Yorkshire, accounting for 80% of the annual total and up significantly from 13% over the comparable period last year.

While in South Yorkshire, the last 12 months saw a significant uplift in space taken up by manufacturing companies, accounting for 38% of the total. Demand has also continued from distribution occupiers, comprising a further 42% in the year, with retailers less active, at 12%.

This trend continues into 2023 as shown by figures revealed in Knight Frank’s latest LOGIC report covering Yorkshire.

A robust opening quarter saw 496,100 sq ft of industrial and logistics occupier take up in West Yorkshire & the Humber, across four deals (units over 50,000 sq ft) which is 25% higher than Q1 last year, and significantly ahead of the previous three months.

Two notable pre-let deals, logistics service provider Advanced Supply Chain pre-let at Tungsten’s Super B, Interchange 26 in Cleckheaton and IFCO’s pre-let of Equation’s 153,323 sq ft Unit 2 at Prism Park, Glasshoughton, boosted the quarterly total, setting new prime headline rents for the region.

Looking at West Yorkshire and the Humber, Iain McPhail, partner in the Leeds industrial and logistics team, said: “We have seen a welcome increase in take up so far in 2023, with new headline rents being achieved in the process. With the continued dearth of grade A, new speculative development, we are seeing further upward pressure on quoting / ‘guide’ rents.

“There is some 1.5 million sq ft of new space on site and to be delivered over the course of 2023 in the region, although the vast majority of the larger buildings are situated in traditionally ‘secondary’ locations. In the meantime, we expect the new, prime mid-box developments, located in more traditionally sought-after locations, such as in Leeds (Leeds Valley Park and Velocity Point) as well as Prism Park in Wakefield to push rents on further.”

Looking ahead Iain says take up is expected to improve as the year progresses and as new stock reaches practical completion.

“Despite the wider macroeconomic conditions, the first three months alone have already recorded almost 500,000 sq ft of take up, therefore a higher level of transactions is expected for 2023.

“New, high-quality development totalling approximately 1.5 million sq ft is currently under construction and second-hand stock totals circa 1.7m sq ft (units over 50,000 sq ft). Notably, there is only one brand new building available to occupy, and around 37% of the immediately available stock is now under offer.

“Rental growth across all size units has taken place with prime rents in Leeds for units over 50,000 sq ft rising by 10% in the quarter, and by 22% YOY, reaching a new headline of £8.25 psf, however this is forecast to rise again during the next quarter.”

The first quarter of 2023 recorded 247,600 sq ft of take up in South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire (units over 50,000 sq ft).

Rebecca Schofield, head of the Yorkshire industrial team, looked at South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

Occupier deals in quarter one in South Yorkshire included a 164,366 sq ft unit at Nimbus Doncaster, let to Bowker Transport and 83,237 sq ft unit at Phase 2 of PLP’s Bessemer Park, Sheffield, which has exchanged with practical completion expected in late 2023.

Rebecca Schofield, Knight Frank

Rebecca said: “Development activity has boosted supply. At the end of Q1 2023, approx. 2.2 million sq ft of floorspace was immediately available across the region (units over 50,000 sq ft). This brings the vacancy rate to 3.7%, up from a low of 1.3% recorded a year ago, with the improvement largely owing to a number of development completions. A further 3.5 million sq ft is under construction, up 68% year on year.

“Demand for new units has led to prime rents in the region (units over 50,000 sq ft) growing by 14% annually, to stand at £7.95 psf, with average rents expected to rise but at a more modest rate.”

Summing up Rebecca said: “The region has a strong pipeline of speculative development on site, due for completion during 2023/early 2024. There has also been a number of second-hand buildings that have recently been vacated that have come back to the market, resulting in a healthy supply of buildings to cater for continued occupier demand.

“There are a number of active occupier requirements in the market considering space and also a number of buildings under offer therefore we expect good levels of take up over the coming quarters.”

Construction materials group acquires Doncaster and Lincoln firms

Tess Egginton
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Construction materials group acquires Doncaster and Lincoln firms
Breedon Group, the construction materials group, has completed three recent bolt-on transactions with a combined enterprise value of up to £19m. In Great Britain Breedon has acquired two downstream businesses. Broome Bros. Limited is a leading manufacturer of concrete blocks based in Doncaster, adjacent to one of the company’s existing ready-mixed concrete sites, and Minster Surfacing Limited is an award-winning regional surfacing business based in Lincoln with strong sustainability credentials delivering a diverse portfolio of works from the Midlands to London. Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland the acquisition of Robinson Quarry Masters Limited, a family-run quarrying and concrete block business in Country Antrim, has further extended Breedon’s footprint North of Belfast and enhanced its aggregate reserves on the Island of Ireland. Robinson Quarry Masters has a well-established customer base with exposure to housing, commercial and infrastructure end-markets.
Rob Wood, Chief Executive Officer, said: “Many of our transactions come to us through our local knowledge and personal engagement with the owners. As a result, our active M&A pipeline has continued to yield high quality, earnings enhancing opportunities that will enable us to progress our sustainable growth strategy. “Each of these independent family run businesses is aligned with our vertically-integrated operating model, providing further opportunity to pull through upstream building materials while extending our downstream footprint to deliver profitable growth. We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues to Breedon and look forward to working with them.”

Family owned care group builds on Shipley retirement offering

Tess Egginton
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Family owned care group builds on Shipley retirement offering

Czajka Care Group is making a multi-million-pound investment in its flagship Fairmount Park development in Nab Wood near Saltaire.

As part of the plans, Brookfield Care Home will also benefit from a major extension and improvements programme in order to merge with Fairmount Nursing Home, which will be demolished to make way for eight new purpose-built retirement houses and apartments.

The family owned and run Czajka Care Group was granted planning permission for the development in 2021 and has been liaising with the residents and families at Fairmount Park and Fairmount Nursing Home to plan for the expansion.

Czajka Care Group’s Managing Director, Konrad Czajka, said: “As always, we are putting the needs of our residents first and having regular meetings with our residents and their families to detail our plans, discuss how they would like to move forward and involve them in shaping our timescales.

“As part of the development, we will create an additional eight new and modern rooms with first class facilities at Brookfield Care Home and can’t wait to welcome people here.

“All the team at Fairmount Nursing Home will also be offered roles within Czajka Care Group at our other care and nursing homes. In fact, as part of this investment, we will also be creating at least a dozen new jobs, which is welcome news for the local economy.

“These exciting plans will help us meet the huge demand for purpose built, high quality, assisted living retirement homes in the area, whilst also providing invaluable residential care for 48 residents at our extended Brookfield Care Home.”

Currently there is no availability at Czajka Care Group’s existing purpose-built retirement homes at either Fairmount Park, which has 37 houses and apartments or at Currergate Mews, which has 14 houses. The two retirement developments both have long waiting lists, with some people reserving a property years in advance of their planned move date.

Konrad added: “We have long waiting lists for our retirement houses and apartments because people love their locations, property styles, leisure facilities and the support available.

“By delivering eight new homes for people over 55 at Fairmount Park, we hope to meet some of this demand and provide people with an individual home that gives them privacy and independence, but with all the benefits of being part of a wider community with assisted support as and when they need it.

“At Fairmount Park, another really popular pull is the crown green bowling and putting greens, and many of our residents are also members of our wonderful Clubhouse, where they can enjoy a host of services.”

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