Two earn achievement medals for contributions to steel industry

Stuart Pearcey
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Two earn achievement medals for contributions to steel industry

British Steel’s Dr Andrew Smith, Customer and Technology Manager at our Special Profiles business, and Dr Andy Trowsdale, Head of Research and Development, have been given prestigious awards from The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

Andy, based at the company’s Rotherham site, collected the Tom Colclough Medal and Prize in recognition of ‘learned contribution to understanding microstructure, mechanical properties, fabricability or in-service performance, production or engineering in the iron and steel industry’.

He said: “It is a privilege to receive this award acknowledging the developments and innovations carried out by the team at British Steel over many years.”

Andrew, who is based at Skinningrove, won the inaugural Henry Royce Institute Award for Innovation by a Technical Professional. This award recognises the vital contribution technical professionals make in advancing technology and the understanding of the materials world.

He said: “I am honoured to receive this award which recognises the amount of technical innovation done at Special Profiles by a lot of people and you cannot achieve this as an individual. There are many gifted people at Special Profiles and this award is really for the team in the work that it does, creating solutions to challenging problems.”

The IOM3 awards celebrate individuals and organisations who have made exceptional advancements to the profession and these awards also help raise awareness of both engineering and scientific excellence and industry best practice.

Both colleagues received their awards from IOM3 President Dr Kate Thornton, who said: “As always it is wonderful to bring so many of our members together from a diverse range and celebrate their wondrous achievements.”

New law means new cars and vans have to be zero emission by 2025

Stuart Pearcey
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New law means new cars and vans have to be zero emission by 2025
New laws starting today mean that from 2035 firms buying new cars and vans must chose a zero emission option. This zero emission vehicle mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to produce each year up to 2030. 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will now be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035. This is said to follow follow the decision to delay the ban on new diesel and petrol cars from 2030 to 2035, putting the UK in line with other major global economies such as France, Germany, Sweden and Canada. Technology and Decarbonisation Minister Anthony Browne claims that alongside the UK having spent more than £2 billion in the transition to electric vehicles, its zero emission vehicle mandate would further boost the economy and support manufacturers to safeguard skilled British jobs in the automotive industry. The government’s schemes to lower the upfront and running costs of owning an EV includes the plug-in van grant of up to £2,500 for small vans and £5,000 for large ones until at least 2025, and £350 off the cost of homeplace chargepoints for people living in flats. The Government’s own figures show that sales of electric vehicles have risen by 41%, and the number if charge points is up by 44%, suggesting that the charging infrastructure is only just keeping pace with the number of vehicles it has to support. There are now over 50,000 public chargepoints, said to be putting the country well on track to reach 300,000 chargepoints by 2030. The UK’s approach to decarbonising transport has already attracted record investment in gigafactories and EV manufacturing, including:
  • Nissan’s recent investment of over £3 billion to develop 2 new electric vehicles at their Sunderland plant
  • Tata’s investment of over £4 billion in a new 40 GWh gigafactory
  • BMW’s investment of £600 million to build next generation MINI EVs in Oxford
  • Ford’s investment of £380 million in Halewood to make electric drive units
  • Stellantis’ £100 million investment in Ellesmere Port for EV van production

County-wide business developments add 1,000 jobs to the region

Stuart Pearcey
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County-wide business developments add 1,000 jobs to the region

Six sites in Lincolnshire developed by the county council, are now said to have contributed more than 1,000 jobs to the county’s economy.

Investment in land, infrastructure such as roads and utilities, and offices have provided businesses with space to grow and develop. The sites in Skegness, Kirton, Gainsborough, Market Deeping, Lincoln and Holbeach have added around 377,140  square feet of commercial space which have contributed an estimated 1,121 jobs to Lincolnshire’s economy. Cllr Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place, said: “The council has a really important role in providing the right environment for business success and growth. We’ve been forward-thinking in developing sites ready to attract new enterprises and allow our local companies to grow. The purchase of the land, its development and then onward sales takes time, but these figures show just how valuable it is in the long term.” As well as land for businesses to construct their own facilities, the council has also built office space to rent directly. These latest figures include:
  • Foxby Lane, Gainsborough – just over 6 acres sold and developed, including Mercury House Business Centre
  • Northfields, Market Deeping – including Eventus Business Centre
  • Lincoln – just under an acre sold and developed, including Wyvern House. A further 1.5 acres is available.
  • Kirton, Boston – over 21 acres sold and developed at the well-established Kirton Distribution Park, and a further 20 acres under offer.
  • South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ), Holbeach – over 5.5 acres sold/developed to food sector-related businesses, including The Hub, a sector specific innovation centre, and the University of Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing Campus. Just over 4 acres is still available for food sector related businesses to develop, and 28 acres safeguarded for the future of the scheme.
  • Skegness Business Park – just under 3 acres sold with a further 9.5 acres available for businesses.
The jobs created have included:
  • An estimated 223  jobs at Foxby Lane in Gainsborough where development land has been sold to a number of regional and national companies across a variety of different sectors.
  • Approximately 319 jobs at Kirton, Boston, including 119 created by Duckworth Land Rover.
  • Over 120 jobs at the South Lincolnshire FEZ to date, including 26 for local electrical engineering business, AJS Control & Automation.

Dales farmers urged to apply for share of National Park grant scheme

Stuart Pearcey
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Dales farmers urged to apply for share of National Park grant scheme
Farmers in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are being urged to apply now for a share of £2.2m available for what will be the fourth and final year of the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. As all grants must be claimed and spent before the end of March 2025, and ideas need to come forward in the early part of this year to stand the best chance of success. Farming in Protected Landscapes is run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and funded by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Since the scheme started in July 2021, the National Park Authority has provided grants to 154 farmers and landowners, worth a total of £2.7 million.   The decisions on the grant applications are made by an assessment panel, which includes local farmers. Grants can be made to support projects which help nature to recover; mitigate against climate change; provide opportunities for people to understand and enjoy the farmed landscape of the National Park; or which protect or improve the quality and character of the place. An example of a recent successful application is ‘Pasture for Life’, a project supporting farmers to produce beef from cattle fed only on grassland. Through the project, four farming mentors are providing support to 12 farmers, helping them to adapt to changes in farm payments and try out new grazing and livestock management methods (see picture). Member Champion for the Natural Environment at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is Mark Corner. He said: “It is essential that farmers in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are supported through the agricultural transition period, because their businesses are vital both for local communities and the landscape we love.   A Farming in Protected Landscapes grant could provide a boost to these businesses. “Farmers are increasingly coming forward with ideas.  Our Farming in Protected Landscapes team is receiving enquiries nearly every day.  We have a sizeable amount of money to support local businesses but once it’s gone, it’s gone –  so it would be great if more people got in touch. “We’d particularly like to see applications for projects that support the people and place themes. “The people theme can include educational work or access projects, while the place theme can incorporate farm diversification, equipment for new business ventures or environmental land management.  Ideas please!” Full details of the programme, as well as the phone numbers of our Farming in Protected Landscapes officers, can be found here.

Vuba welcomes MP to product development lab in Beverley

Stuart Pearcey
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Vuba welcomes MP to product development lab in Beverley
Permeable surface manufacturer Vuba has opened a new lab on Beverley’s Grovehill Industrial Estate as an investment in product development. The firm’s products are used for applications like drives and patios, and their permeability is said to mitigate flooding issues cause by water being unable to escape. During a visit by MP for Beverley and Holderness Graham Stuart there was a discussion about the need for permeable surfaces such as resin bound as flood defence mechanisms, especially in light of the recent damages caused by Storm Babet and Storm Ciaran. The MP praised Vuba’s Resin Bound for being fully compliant with new requirements relating to new build properties,, with its product scientifically proven to be 19 times more permeable than traditional block paving. Graham spoke about how important permeable surfaces are in building flood resilience, with resin bound driveways allowing water to pass straight back into the earth. Founded in East Yorkshire in 2009, Vuba has achieved annual sales growth of 85% over the past three years, having recently been named one of the Sunday Times’ 100 fastest growing companies in the UK. Alongside its headquarters and distribution centre in Beverley, this year Vuba has acquired a second distribution centre in Bridgwater and has also started shipping its products internationally, in collaboration with Spanish and North American partners. Sean Scott, CEO of Vuba, sIS:“We were delighted to welcome Graham Stuart to our new lab. As our local MP, we were proud to showcase the opportunities for research and innovation that we have created for our workforce locally. We are proud to see our products being shipped globally from our headquarters and distribution centre in Beverley and we are committed to continuing to grow our business and benefit the local community. “It was also great to discuss with Graham the need for more innovative solutions to respond to the increase in the number of floods spurred by climate change. Incorporating permeable surfaces into our outdoor areas is a cost-effective way to improve our homes’ flood resilience and we are keen to work together to raise consumer awareness of this effective flood prevention tool.” Mr Stuart said: “Vuba shows that Beverley is a fantastic place to do business with a brilliant workforce and incredible infrastructure with the Energy Estuary on our doorstep. I was blown away by the work that they are doing on transforming the nation’s driveways and promoting sustainable homes. Sean shows that all you need to build a great business is a terrific idea and hard work.” Earlier this year, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced that all new built homes will have to adopt sustainable drainage systems to help alleviate the pressures on traditional drainage and sewerage systems.

Merry Christmas, HMRC: Almost 5,000 file tax returns on Christmas Day

Stuart Pearcey
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Merry Christmas, HMRC: Almost 5,000 file tax returns on Christmas Day
Almost 5,000 people filed their Self Assessment tax return on Christmas Day, HM Revenue and Customs has revealed. A day traditionally dominated by eating, drinking, and exchanging gifts saw a perhaps surprising number of customers also find time to go online and complete the essential job of filing their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year, ahead of the 31 January deadline. Over the three-day festive period, 25,769 customers submitted their tax return, an increase compared to the same period last year, with 8,876 filing on Christmas Eve and 12,136 on Boxing Day. The peak time was between 12:00 and 12:59 on Boxing Day, when 1,121 returns were received by HMRC. Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Our Christmas Day filers proved that there is no time like the present to get started on Self Assessment, and with our online tool it can be a simple task that’s easy to fit around other festive commitments. “There’s no need to delay, getting it done ahead of the 31 January deadline means less stress and longer to work out payment options. Get started today by searching ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK.” If customers cannot pay in full by the deadline, they may be able to set up a Time to Pay arrangement online if the amount owed is less than £30,000. There is a new affordability assessment for customers to enter their income and spending to calculate disposable income and set up an affordable payment plan. Customers need to be aware of the risk of falling victim to scams and should never share their HMRC login details with anyone – even a tax agent, if they have one. HMRC scams advice is available on GOV.UK.

BCC welcomes signing of financial services agreement between UK and Switzerland

Stuart Pearcey
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BCC welcomes signing of financial services agreement between UK and Switzerland
Signing of an agreement over financial services between the UK and Switzerland has been welcomed by the British Chambers of Commerce, which says it could pave the way for greater economic collaboration. William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC said: “Switzerland is one of the largest global markets for UK services – accounting for 3.8% of total UK services exports during 2023, with financial services worth £2.7bn per annum alone. “This Agreement creates new opportunities based upon mutual recognition while preserving regulatory autonomy in those affected sectors of financial services. With 85% of UK services exports being delivered digitally, this deal offers strong market access to UK based financial services companies, and Swiss firms alike. “We hope 2024 will see the negotiation of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland building upon this announcement. Any FTA should preserve the right of in-person travel and access for service provision for those businesses who need that. “We also hope a bespoke trade deal will also advance mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the UK and Switzerland. Any agreement should also have strong provisions to develop digital trade between the two countries.”

Hull Trains passenger journeys rise by more than twice the national average

Stuart Pearcey
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Hull Trains passenger journeys rise by more than twice the national average
Official journey data for the latest quarter (July to September 2023 shows Hull Trains has grown passenger numbers by 34% – more than twice the national average of 14%. A total of 397 million journeys were made on the UK’s railways in the latest quarter, which was a 14% increase on the 350 million journeys made in the same period in 2022. Hull Trains says the latest report by rail industry regulator the Office of Rail and Road is further evidence of  stability and strength within the industry, with the local open-access operator now delivering more journeys than it did before the pandemic. Martijn Gilbert, MD of Hull Trains, said: “We have had many great stories to report in recent weeks and months which just goes to show what a hugely successful year it has been for Hull Trains. For two consecutive quarters, we have reported the highest rise in passenger journeys among long distance operators, compared to the same period last year, highlighting passenger confidence in our services which, as we’ve previously reported, are the most reliable in England. “It all bodes well for 2024 when we will continue our work to deliver great value, low carbon and dependable rail services for the communities of Beverley, Cottingham, Hull, Brough, Howden, Selby, Doncaster, Retford and Grantham. These latest figures again show that Open Access operators are playing a key role in the growth of long-distance rail travel across all operators on the East Coast Mainline route” There were 2.2 million passenger journeys recorded for open-access operators combined, which includes Hull Trains and Lumo, an increase compared with the previous year (8%).

Looking for a tax refund? Make your claim direct with us, says HMRC

Stuart Pearcey
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Looking for a tax refund? Make your claim direct with us, says HMRC
Employees eligible to claim a tax refund on work-related expenses are being urged to do it directly through HM Revenue and Customs to guarantee receiving 100% of their claim. Whether working in hospitality or retail, taking on a seasonal second job as a delivery driver, or even becoming Santa’s elf for the month, the most straightforward way to claim – and keep – all of a tax refund is through HMRC’s online service. A claim takes just 15 minutes. Employees can use the online service to check eligibility and get a full list of work expenses they could claim a tax refund for, including:
  • cleaning, replacing or repairing a uniform or work clothing
  • using their own vehicle for work including business mileage
  • professional subscriptions they’ve paid for, that are needed to do their job
Suzanne Newton, HMRC’s Interim Director General for Transformation, said: “Christmas can be an expensive time of the year and for many, it could be a good opportunity to claim a tax refund on work expenses to boost finances. Latest figures show the average claim is £125 a year. But the only way to guarantee receiving 100% of your eligible refund is by claiming direct through HMRC. Just search ‘tax relief for expenses’ on GOV.UK to find out more.” Once customers have signed into the HMRC service, they just need to follow the simple step-by-step guidance to submit their claim. Those who need to set up an account can do so quickly and easily via GOV.UK. Customers considering using an agent to make their repayment claims are likely to be charged a fee – in some cases up to 50% of the value of the claim. If the claim is then found to be ineligible, customers are liable to pay back the full amount of the refund, not the amount they finally received, so could end up out of pocket. While going through an agent may seem like a simpler option at first, customers will need to supply the agent with the same information they would use to make the claim themselves using HMRC’s free online service. Anyone who does, nevertheless, choose to use an agent to make a claim on their behalf should also check the small print before signing a contract – including researching the company so they understand what commission is being charged and how much of their tax refund they are likely to receive back.
 

Former Tesco site to be used for housing in Sleaford

Stuart Pearcey
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Former Tesco site to be used for housing in Sleaford

Countryside Partnerships has exchanged contracts with Tesco on a 12.8-acre brownfield site in Sleaford with a view to building 122 new affordable homes, five First Homes and a 66-bed care home.

They will also be providing a new county standard bowls green and club house to replace the ageing facilities currently on site.

The regeneration project will transform the former industrial site, previously used for seed processing, into much-needed housing with a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes for the area. The First Homes are market-sale properties discounted by at least 30% and available to first-time buyers meeting certain eligibility criteria.

The land is allocated for mixed-use and residential development in the Lincolnshire Local Plan, adopted in April 2023. Countryside now expects to submit a Reserved Matters planning application in the first half of 2024 with a view to starting work later in the year.

Lee Parry, MD of Countryside Partnerships North East Midlands, said:“Redeveloping brownfield sites such as this one in Sleaford is hugely important in helping to tackle the crippling shortage of affordable homes across the UK. Our planning team cannot wait to get into the finer planning details with a view to transforming this former industrial site into an attractive and welcoming place to live for the local community.”

 
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