King’s speech failed to deliver on detail, says BCC
The King’s Speech failed to deliver details of how the aspiration to achieve economic growth would be achieved, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.
Alex Veitch, the organisation’s Director of Policy and Insight, said: “The businesses we represent need help in dealing with inflation, interest rates and a challenging labour market.
“The Government could, and should have gone further, to help companies in challenging times. We hope the Autumn Statement later in the month will provide more certainty for businesses.
“It is disappointing that the King’s Speech didn’t include further planning reform in England. We continue to call for a faster and more efficient system that enables business to grow.
“Latest data from the BCC’s Insight Unit shows investment flatlining. Our Quarterly Economic Survey for Q3, showed only 23% of respondents were increasing investment whilst concern over the impact of high interest rates is growing, reaching 45%.
“We welcome positive signs that the Government is listening to our calls for a modernised energy grid system. Building on the recent Energy Act, we’ll be looking closely at the detail to see if connections will be improved for businesses.
“The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill rightly recognises we will need to continue using the UK’s oil and gas reserves during the transition to a net-zero future. However, we need to hear much more about the Government’s proposals for renewables. Reopening the political dividing lines on Net-Zero damages business confidence and investment plans.
“We are encouraged by mention of increasing high quality apprenticeships. The skills crisis is one of the main issues impacting business.
“Boosting exports is a key ingredient for economic growth and we welcome The Trade Bill. But the government must do more to shift the dial on global trade.”
Changs to business rules could save £1bn a year, says Government
British businesses could save up to £1 billion a year between them as the Government confirms plans to remove unnecessary and outdated bureaucracy following our exit from the EU.
The Government will today announce amendments to several retained EU laws to ensure UK regulations are brought up to date and tailored to the needs of businesses, freeing up firms to refocus their time and money elsewhere to help create jobs.
The reforms will see the reduction of reporting requirements and the simplifying of annual leave and holiday pay calculations under the Working Time Regulations, as well as the streamlining of regulations that apply when a business transfers to a new owner.
The proposals don’t change existing workers’ rights in the UK, but instead remove unnecessary bureaucracy in the way those rights operate.
Business Minister, Kevin Hollinrake said: “These reforms ensure our employment regulations are fit for purpose while maintaining our strong record on workers’ rights, which are some of the highest in the world.
“Seizing these benefits, including a saving of £1 billion for businesses, will support the private sector and workers alike and are vital to stimulating economic growth, innovation and job creation.”
Earlier this year, the Government launched a consultation on three areas for reform with the removal of unnecessary bureaucracy including:- Record keeping requirements under the Working Time Regulations
- Simplifying annual leave and holiday pay calculations in the Working Time Regulations
- Consultation requirements under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment), or ‘TUPE’, Regulations
“We’re eager to see a system that’s clear-cut, cost-effective and easy for small businesses to roll out, so these announcements are a crucial step forward.”
Housing project could deliver 1,500 new homes in Eggborough
Planning permission is being sought for a significant new sustainable housing and community development at Eggborough near Selby.
Working with Lichfields Planning Consultants, DLA Architecture has designed a Masterplan on behalf of Banks Property for a major extension to the west of the village, offering up to 1,500 low carbon, energy efficient homes.
The development would also include enhanced local transport links, a new primary school and nursery, assisted living units, new areas of accessible public open space, other local services and a range of environmental benefits.
Banks Property has already carried out an extensive public consultation exercise for its plans to develop the 70-hectare site in line with the emerging Selby Local Plan. The proposed scheme intends to act as an integrated extension to Eggborough’s existing community, delivering much needed new housing, job creation and enhancement to the local infrastructure.
The masterplanning for the Eggborough site has been under way for over eighteen months, during which time DLA and the team have consulted with key stakeholders including the local authority, highways, railways, ecology, environmental, and renewable energy consultants.
Considerations include number of existing constraints and opportunities, such as a water main running across the site, overhead power cables, existing and historic hedgerows, and extensive SUDS ponds and swales. The masterplan consists of four development phases and incorporating a central energy centre to provide district heating, and the potential for PV panels.
Joe Anderson-Cable, project manager at Banks Property, said: “This site is included in the draft Selby Local Plan as a housing-led location and offers the opportunity to create a landmark development that will help Eggborough continue to thrive for decades to come.
“Increasing the local and regional supply of quality housing will help to attract people to live and work here, which will in turn support the development of the local economy, while ensuring there is affordable quality housing will also mean that everyone can access the housing ladder, most especially local younger people and families who want to move to or stay in the area.
“DLA has demonstrated considerable expertise and credentials in master planning strategically important schemes of this scale and local economic importance and we are pleased to have them on board.”
Jonathan Knowles, Director at DLA Architecture, said: “We have created a masterplan with a distinctive design approach that is deliverable in phases to dovetail into the existing settlement, with homes that are low-carbon, energy- and water-efficient, and climate-resilient.
“The plans incorporate affordable housing, a primary school accessible to all Eggborough families, improvements to Whitley Bridge railway station, 70 extra care homes, a small retail facility and potential energy centre to provide a district heating system. We have allocated significant areas for new public spaces and wildlife habitat as well as dedicated bus routes and green paths for walking or cycling through the site.”
Subject to planning consent it is hoped that the Eggborough site could start construction of the first residential phase by late 2025.
DLA Architecture has been established for more than 40 years and employs 91 architectural staff across its offices in Leeds, Manchester, and London. Its expertise covers a broad range of sector including learning, sport, industry, care, workplace, housing, retail, conservation and re-use.
NFU joins project to help farmers get to net zero through diversifying
The project, which runs from now until 2027, has been awarded funding by Defra under the Farming Futures R&D Fund: Climate Smart Farming.
The new research project aims to help UK farmers and growers target Net Zero and build farming resilience through diversifying their arable and forage cropping. It will also enable new revenue sources through a carbon marketplace and support enhanced value chains for industries such as textiles and construction.
The research will focus on four cropping options:
- rotational cover crops
- annual fibre crops (industrial hemp and flax)
- perennial food, forage, and feed crops (including cereals and herbal leys)
- perennial biomass crops (miscanthus, willow and poplar).
North Lincolnshire Council and British Steel join forces to develop 300-acre opportunity
Thousands of green jobs could be created in Scunthorpe as a globally renowned consultancy firm starts work on a masterplan for a 300-acre advanced manufacturing park.
It comes after British Steel unveiled plans for the biggest transformation in its history – a £1.25bn proposal to become a clean and sustainable business. British Steel’s plans have been met with concern however, due to involving the shutting down of Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces, which could see 2,000 jobs lost.
As part of the plan North Lincolnshire Council and British Steel have said they will develop up to 300-acres on surplus land at the steelworks.
Backed with Government cash, the proposal is designed to create new development opportunities for businesses to create green jobs in the wider steel and engineering sector, harnessing hydrogen technology and accessing global markets with innovative new products through the vast port complex across the wider area.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “There is a huge opportunity to create something new, attracting innovative technology companies and well-paid jobs here to Scunthorpe on an underdeveloped site of industrial heritage.
“The transition to net zero must be through taking opportunity not managed decline – taking advantage of the green opportunities globally while harnessing our engineering skills and capabilities locally is the future.”
North Lincolnshire Council will take a role in developing the site – with a number of prospective new businesses already looking to invest.
Internationally renowned consultants Arup have been drafted in to develop the proposals, focussing on design, engineering, architecture and planning.
Holly Mumby-Croft, MP for Scunthorpe and Vice Chair of the Town Fund Board, said: “It is welcome news for our area that British Steel have committed to work closely with North Lincolnshire Council to develop the future of surplus land on the steelworks site.
“There are businesses interested in coming to North Lincolnshire and I will work with the council and British Steel to ensure we make the most of those opportunities.
“There is a unique expertise in our area, from generations of steelmaking. We need to champion those skills and expand on this with new green and well-paid job opportunities and this plan does just that.”
British Steel’s Chief Commercial & Procurement Officer, Allan Bell, said: “British Steel and our owners, Jingye, are committed to building a sustainable future for our business and the communities in which we operate.
“Parts of our Scunthorpe site offer excellent development opportunities and we look forward to working in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council to realise this potential.”
Children’s toy, decor and clothing business set for growth
Huddersfield-based Soren’s House – a children’s toy, decor and clothing retailer – is set for growth following investment from Finance Yorkshire.
Soren’s House specialises in sustainable Scandinavian style wooden toys, furniture, decor and organic clothing for children aged 0 to 12 years.
The company was launched by Sally Jackson in 2016 and is named after Soren Lorenson, a character in the popular children’s book and television series Charlie and Lola, an old favourite of Sally’s daughter, Seren.
An £80,000 investment from Finance Yorkshire’s business loans fund will enable Soren’s House to expand its team and accelerate its marketing activity to grow visibility and market share.
Sally’s partner in the business Max Jones said: “Our ambition is to be a one-stop shop for parents who are conscious about the environment and sustainability.”
The ethos of Soren’s House was developed after a pause in the business when Sally’s son Seth was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the age of six.
Max said: “Seth was treated for the best part of a year during which we had to put the business on hold. The experience of Seth being ill and his treatment gave us a different perspective and that’s why we are focused on natural materials and sustainability – we want parents to buy once and buy well and to be able to trust the products that they buy from us.”
Seth is now well and aged 12, sister Seren is 13.
With Finance Yorkshire’s investment, Soren’s House is set to employ a customer services manager and a digital marketing manager. The company plans to expand its product range and develop its own brand products.
“We see ourselves as a modern, natural design store merged with sustainability,” added Max.
Finance Yorkshire Chief Executive Alex McWhirter said: “We are pleased to support Soren’s House and applaud the entrepreneurial spirit of Sally and Max who are embarking on an ambitious development trajectory for their business with an emphasis on the growing interest in sustainable living.”
York Council celebrates firms paying Real Living Wage
To mark this week’s Living Wage Week City of York Council is celebrating the number of businesses in the city that pay staff the Real Living Wage, which is among the highest in the region.
The council has encouraged all businesses to consider this step as a means of boosting employee morale and productivity, fighting the cost-of-living crisis, and attracting new staff.
The real living wage is a voluntary hourly wage rate that employers can choose to pay their staff. Calculated every year by the Living Wage Foundation, the real living wage is based on the cost of a ‘basket’ of household goods and services. and is paid by over 14,000 businesses in the UK.
The proportion of York’s businesses which are Living Wage Foundation accredited employers is significantly higher than that of other cities in the Yorkshire and Humber region, with 150 Good Business Charter and Real Living Wage Employer organisations already doing so.
The council has been a living wage employer since 2013, and in 2021, joined a movement of organisations in York when it signed up to the Good Business Charter, which requires accredited organisations to pay the Living Wage as part of a series of ten commitments.
According to the Living Wage Foundation, 94% of living wage businesses, from SMEs to FTSE 100 firms, reported seeing clear benefits to their business since they started to pay the Real Living Wage, with 62% saying that they had seen improvements in the quality of applications for jobs. Additionally, 90% of consumers were more likely to buy a product or service from a business that paid staff the Real Living Wage.
Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said: “This Living Wage Week, I’d like to congratulate and thank York businesses and organisations of all sizes paying staff the Real Living Wage, as well as those currently working towards this goal.
“It’s fantastic to see that York has a higher proportion of living wage employers when compared to other parts of the region and we hope more can join this movement.
“We know that businesses, like all of us, are feeling the pain of the cost-of-living crisis. Paying the Real Living Wage is good for businesses and employees – increasingly, people want to work for, buy from, and invest in socially responsible businesses.
“At City of York Council, we’re proud to have been a Living Wage employer for over a decade. We want our economy to be fairer and more inclusive, and our city to be a more affordable place for residents to live and work. The Real Living Wage is one of the ways we hope to achieve this.”
Leeds’ Globe Point nears full occupancy as sixth new tenant secured
International law firm Gowling WLG is moving into the fifth floor at Globe Point in Leeds on a long-term lease.
Relocating from Park Row in the city, Gowling WLG will occupy a 4,477 sq ft suite with a dedicated exterior 1,970 sq ft terrace. The company is the sixth tenant to sign up at the flat iron building in Temple Leeds.
The high-quality workspace and terrace, along with the building’s ESG credentials and ground floor amenity, event and food and drink space, attracted the global firm.
Julia Dacre Field, partner and Gowling WLG’s head of residential development in Leeds, said: “We are thrilled to have moved into Globe Point – the workspace and general amenities are outstanding, and in a fantastic location. Our plan has always been to ensure that we have the right permanent space for our team in Leeds and we look forward to delivering for our clients and pursuing further growth in the market from our new home.”
The company joins law firm, Reed Smith, brand design agency, Robot Foods, marketing and data science company, Jaywing, Specialist Computer Centres (SCC), part of the global Rigby Group, and Eleven, the 65-cover ground floor café bar.
Once fully occupied, Globe Point will be home to more than 450 people.
Antonia Martin Wright, director of commercial development at CEG, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Gowling WLG team to Globe Point. It is the first of our developments to complete within the Temple district of Leeds and has proved to be a huge success. Well located adjacent to the southern entrance of Leeds City Station, it has fast become a thriving business community, adding to the vibrancy of the area.”
Globe Point is being marketed by Fox Lloyd Jones (FLJ) and Knight Frank on behalf of CEG.
Cushman and Wakefield acted on behalf of Gowling WLG.
Yorkshire Country Properties strengthens senior sales team
Huddersfield-based Yorkshire Country Properties (YCP) has strengthened its senior sales team with four key appointments.
It comes hard on the heels of the appointment of Paul Brown as Managing Director.
The accomplished team comprises: Sam McGregor, Sam Baldaro, Kate Carter and Kirsty Watts.
Head of sales is Sam McGregor, who said: “Clearly, the current state of the housing market presents challenges, but we are confident that the quality of our houses combined with the enthusiasm and commitment of our wonderful team here at YCP will enable us to continue to deliver the kind of homes that are needed across all demographics in Yorkshire. I am so proud to be working with an exceptional sales team.”
Sam Baldaro has joined Yorkshire Country Properties from Vistry (formerly known as Bovis) for seven years and she has worked with numerous leading housebuilders for the past 15 years.
“My role at YCP is to oversee the sales progression for all of our purchasers, being the main point of contact and guiding them through the legal and financial process. I’m on hand to ensure their journey from placing their reservation through to legal completion and moving into their new home is as smooth and seamless as possible.
“The market has been hugely unstable over the last 12 months with rises in interest rates and decreasing valuations. We are in a very strong position though, we have some very popular developments which offer a premium build and attractive living spaces, this serves us well with the current conditions.
“Recently we have seen a leap in customer enquiries and lenders have started to reduce their interest rates, which is hopefully the sign of a more predictable time.”
Meanwhile Kate Carter has a background in student, professional and commercial property management, sales and lettings and previously lived and worked in Manchester city centre, while Kirsty Watts, who is from Sheffield, has a wealth of experience in customer service.
Paul Brown said: “This talented new sales team is committed to making YCP the very best housebuilder in West Yorkshire. Their experience and expertise will prove invaluable and I am very lucky and proud to have such an excellent team to support me in growing our company and achieving our targets.”
Sponsors announced for South Holland business award scheme
Horticultural distribution company Floralinc is the headline sponsor for this year’s South Holland Business Awards.
A spokesperson for FloraLinc said: “FloraLinc are delighted to be headline sponsors of the 2023 South Holland Business Awards. We really value how the awards celebrate all the great local businesses and the people who work in them.
“We look forward to celebrating with all the businesses and people who attend on the night.”
The Business of the Year Award is being sponsored by Woodhouse Farm Hotel & Spa, as it has been for the last several years.
A spokesperson for Woodhouse Farm Hotel & Spa said: “Woodhouse Farm Hotel & Spa are delighted to continue our support for the South Holland Business Awards 2023, which showcases all of the hard work and dedication of businesses across the South Holland district. We are proud to once again be sponsoring the Business of the Year Award and would like to wish all of the finalists the very best of luck on the evening.”
Another returning sponsor is Duncan & Toplis, sponsoring the Business Innovation of the Year Award.
A spokesperson for Duncan & Toplis said: “We have sponsored these awards since their inception more than 15 years ago as we believe they are of great importance to the region. During that time we’ve seen some outstanding businesses and individuals be rewarded for their talents, hard work, commitment, and contributions to our region.
“This year, we are once again supporting the ‘Business Innovation’ category. Duncan & Toplis have always understood the importance of innovation, and embrace it ourselves – it’s at the forefront of our own growth and we’re always striving to develop and enhance our services, processes and business models to support our clients in the best way possible.
“It’s only fitting therefore that we champion our local innovators with this award, who are crucial to the ongoing economic development of our region, as evidenced by the investment in the East Midlands Freeport, and the newly confirmed East Midlands innovation park.“
Americold are this year’s Drinks Reception sponsor, and said:“We are proud to be this year’s Drinks Reception sponsor for the South Holland Business Awards.
“One of Americold’s core values is giving back – what does giving back mean to us? “We share our resources, time and energy to positively impact the communities where we live and work around the world”.
This year’s sponsors include:
– Headline Sponsor – FloraLinc
– Business Innovation – Duncan & Toplis
– Small Business of the Year – Charmed Interiors
– Excellence in Customer Care – Calthrops Solicitor
– Business of the Year – Woodhouse Farm Hotel & Spa
– Business Person of the Year – South Holland District Council
– Supporting the Community – Welland Power
– Young Achiever of the Year – University Academy Holbeach
– Food, Drink and Farming – Lincolnshire Field Products (LFP)
– Drinks Reception – Americold
– Table Wine – Seagate Homes
– Programme – Lightspeed Broadband
The event is on 9th November at the Springfields Conference and Events Centre.
