British Steel works closer to sustainability targets
British Steel has launched its first Decarbonisation Action Report, exploring the progress made towards sustainability goals and providing clarity on the true measurement of the carbon impact arising from its products.
The report highlights a commitment to setting company-wide emission reductions in line with the Science Based Targets initiative, as well as ongoing feasibility studies on integrating Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking into existing operations.
Ben Cunliffe, Commercial Director, Construction, said: “Our commitment to a carbon intensity saving of 82% by 2035 and to net zero by 2050 represents one of the most significant decarbonisation projects across the whole of the UK national interest.
“This report looks at why buying British provides huge economic value to the UK in terms of both jobs and billions of pounds of Gross Value Added. In stark contrast, importing steel not only supports industries and economies outside the UK, it also generates significantly greater emissions through the transportation process.”
The report shows how steel imported into the UK generates up to 24 times greater emissions arising from transport of regular imports into the UK.
Ben said: “The UK construction sector is moving at an increasing pace towards sustainability and, equally, British Steel is undergoing an exciting transition to achieve our ambitious targets. We’re very much looking forward to working closely with both our customers and the supply chain to support this.”
£30k fine for dental supply company after explosion of flammable liquid
A dental supply company has been fined £30k after an explosion of flammable liquid led to a fire at its premises in Halifax.
John Winters & Company Limited pleaded guilty to safety breaches after one of its employees was put at serious risk in the explosion that led to flames ripping through the building.
Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 23rd April 2021, the worker had been decanting heptane from a metal drum into a plastic bulk container. Other employees were also put at risk when the explosion resulted in a fire spreading rapidly throughout other production buildings. Nobody was physically injured in the fire which was tackled by more than 60 firefighters at its height.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the decanting of flammables had been unsafely undertaken at the company for several years despite well-known industry guidance.
The splash filling of Heptane generated a static charge creating a spark which caused an explosion during the decanting process, flammable material then spread further as there were no containment measures. The poor practice of storing cardboard boxes nearby fuelled the fire allowing it to spread significantly.
John Winters & Company Limited of Washer Lane, Halifax, West Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company has been fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £8,030.94 in costs.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Andrea Jones said: “Implementing appropriate control measures when handling flammable liquids is essential to prevent the generation of a static charge that can result in explosions and fires.
“The incident could so easily have been avoided by preventing splash filling, introducing appropriate earthing and bonding systems, training and supervision.
“HSE has well known guidance to help companies to understand what’s needed.”
Late payments stifling small businesses
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has released a report that uncovers the true scale of damage caused by the late payments crisis as entrepreneurs say: “enough is enough.”
Time is Money: The Case for Late Payment Reform, exposes the insufficient measures in place to hold big businesses to account and calls for a level playing field for smaller firms.
This comes alongside a Department for Business and Trade (DBT) prompt payment and cash flow review, which ends in Spring, and looks at improving arrangements to support small businesses experiencing difficult payment practices.
Findings include on average through 2022, quarter-on-quarter:
- 52% experienced late payment.
- 25% reported increased late payment.
- The most affected sectors include education, construction, administrative, professional, scientific, transportation, IT, arts and human health and social work.
- Small businesses in south-east and east of England, and Northern Ireland were more likely to experience late payments.
- 37% of applied for credit to manage their cashflow.
- 62% of the British public say businesses should be paid within a week.
- 55% of the British public would support more controls.
- Give audit committees of large firms oversight of payment practices and reporting on progress in their annual report.
- Publicly commit to limit the maximum payment terms to small suppliers in law by 2027 if the situation does not improve.
- Bar late payers from public procurement contracts.
- Impose 30-day payment terms, which should be a maximum throughout supply chains.
- Mandate the Small Business Commissioner to investigate potential instances of poor payment proactively, instead of only when a complaint has been made.
- Make the Prompt Payment Code (PPC) mandatory for all local authorities.
- Create a new local authorities Payment Practice League Table with financial incentives for those at the top and bottom for England.
New housing development in the centre of Grimsby takes a step forward
Proposals for a new housing development in the centre of Grimsby will be taken forward following a North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet meeting.
The Town Centre Masterplan identified the Alexandra Dock area as a major asset for Grimsby, with significant potential for it to be used in a more intensive way, including development of a major residential district, which takes advantage of access to the water space and key improvements to the nearby spaces and facilities available.
Brownfield land near Alexandra Dock was identified in the Grimsby Town Centre Masterplan as a key area that could be used to generate that new housing stock.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the council, said: “Our main objective of this work is to create a place that connects the town and its community with its waterside, creating a fantastic urban living environment that’s kind to the planet.
“There’s a long way to go yet, and developments of this scale don’t happen overnight. We are working to improve the town centre as a whole, including increasing the leisure offer with our redevelopment of the western end of Freshney Place, and, through other Towns Fund projects, changing how the town is used as a whole.”
The first housing phase is proposed to be the site behind the Onside Youth Zone, accessible from Fisherman’s Wharf. The area was put forward, and formed part of, the Towns Fund projects that were agreed with Government in 2020/21.
Significant recent work has been done with Homes England to consider how the opportunities for the area might be taken forward. The council has managed to secure funding from Homes England, which has funded initial studies into the potential regeneration of Alexandra Dock.
Further discussions are ongoing to try to secure additional funding for initial technical studies required to progress the plans for the area, and to start the procurement of a development partner to work with the council on this scheme.
Alongside this, it’s planned to submit a bid to the Brownfield Land Release Fund, administered by One Public Estate (a locally-led partnership in partnership with DLUHC, funding works to regenerate public sector owned land and buildings). If secured, this money would increase the available budget to help deliver higher quality ultra-low-carbon homes.
Some initial land remediation work will be done this year to begin preparing the site for future phases of the work. Public will be able to have their say about the plans as the project develops.
Hauliers give back to community by inviting students to see the company in action
Students from Horizon Community College have been given an insight into the world of work by spending time at at Stanton Logistics in Goldthorpe.
Seeing the enthusiasm and interest during mock interviews and a Q&A at Horizon, co-founder and MD Chris McGinleyinvited some of the students to visit the Goldthorpe site for a morning earlier this month to show them how the business operates.
They got to sit in on operations meetings with directors and senior managers before being split into groups to learn more about the different aspects of the business, as well as receiving a full tour of the site and warehouse.
The visit was enjoyed by everyone, and Chris has been asked to sit on the panel for business presentations by more students at Horizon in the future.
Councillor Robert Frost, Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said: “It’s fantastic to see a local business giving back to our young people. It’s important that our students see a variety of career pathways for themselves in Barnsley for when they leave college, whether it’s as a part of someone else’s business or by starting one of their own.
“My thanks go to Chris and the team at Stanton Logistics for facilitating this magnificent opportunity.”
Chris added: “Having the boys visit us for the morning was a brilliant success and I hope they enjoyed their time with us.
“For me, it is about giving back to the community and encouraging students to work hard and be regular attenders at school, dovetailing that into the work environment when school life comes to an end and the importance of ‘turning up’ becomes even more relevant.
“My message to them is to find your thing in life and pursue it with energy and consistency as money then becomes a by-product of enjoying yourself.
“I came from a very working-class background of steelworkers and started with £6,000, which now has turned into a multi-million pound group of businesses. Anything really is possible. I’ve proved that and continue to progress my businesses as I reach the age of 50 this year.”
Green light for Lincolnshire college’s new learning centre
A new bespoke learning centre for young people and adults studying at Boston College has been given the go-ahead – following support by planning experts at Marrons.
The two-storey Mayflower building – which is one of the Boston Town Deal projects – will provide high-quality further education training facilities alongside public access spaces, including a cafe, restaurant, and hair and beauty salon, which will be managed by the college and staffed by students to provide real work experience opportunities.
It will also include exhibition and events spaces, a digital hub, business incubation units for local start-up companies, conference facilities and meetings rooms, and 74 car and 60 bicycle parking spaces.
Claire Foster, Boston College principal and CEO said: “We are thrilled that planning permission for the iconic Mayflower, the flagship project of Boston’s Town Deal fund, has been granted. The state-of-the-art facility will provide a shining beacon of aspiration for higher level and adult education at a time when our town needs it most.”
The existing Ingelow Centre will be demolished to make way for the 1,940sqm building. The site, which was previously a care home, was acquired by Boston College to house its foundation learners, who will be moving into a newly-refurbished building based on the main Rochford Campus.
Jacqueline Jackson, planning director at Marrons, said: “The unique Mayflower building will provide facilities not currently available within Boston, enabling businesses and learners to connect, create and innovate together, and acting as a catalyst to drive forward significant economic growth.
“It is great that were able to deliver permission promptly to enable the development to progress quickly, especially because the multi-functioning space will make a big difference to the everyday life of the local community. We look forward to seeing it complete and the high-quality facility welcoming students and businesses alike.”
The Mayflower is benefitting from £10 million in Towns Fund investment.
Neil Kempster, chair of Boston Town Deal, said: “It is fantastic news that planning consent has been granted for the Mayflower. This is a significant step towards creating a new, inspirational centre for learning in Boston.
“The Mayflower project has always been the flagship scheme within the Town Deal portfolio and it is brilliant news that it has taken a massive step forward with the grant of planning permission. We look forward to continuing to work with Boston College as they bring this important project to fruition, which will provide many more opportunities for local people to gain skills, knowledge and training.”
The project is part of a wider proposal that will deliver a high-quality public realm linking the Mayflower building the redevelopment of the adjacent leisure centre.
University of Sheffield to work in partnership with UKAEA on fusion energy project
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the University of Sheffield will work in partnership to drive the development of fusion technology and the UK’s future fusion industry.
The collaboration will see the University of Sheffield appoint two chairs in fusion research and development, and establish new research programmes to address global fusion challenges:
- The Chair in Qualification for Fusion will address fundamental engineering challenges in the qualification of components, fabricated assemblies and systems for use within future fusion power plants.
- The Chair in Fusion Materials will focus on innovation in materials design and processing to improve power plant performance and the decommissioning and recycling of new materials.
Battery company recruits production teams for South Yorkshire manufacturing facility
The Ultimate Battery Co has started producing batteries at its site at Thurcfroft in South Yorkshire with the first products being dispatched this month.
It’s making starter, lighter, and ignition batteries for vehicles, and hopes to be employing 500 skilled workers by 2026.
A recruitment drive is under way for various roles in the first of a series of production teams, and recruitment will continue over the forthcoming months as production ramps up.
Maurizio Cunningham Brown, Founder and Global CEO of UBC, said: “The site at Thurcroft is the ideal location for our first facility. It combines the benefits of local industry knowledge, good transport links, and a strong workforce ethic. It is close to our research partnership with the AMRC and The University of Bradford, as well as strongly supporting the commitment from the South Yorkshire MCA to net zero manufacturing. It is a quantum leap for the company and will support the government’s objectives to achieve net zero and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.”
Production of UBC’s patented and cutting-edge battery modules has started, with the first order being dispatched in March 2023. Currently, the company is making substantial investment in the site to create a state-of-the-art facility. This includes the evaluation and installation of renewable energy solutions. Additionally, UBC have begun their next round of funding.
The batteries it makes are lighter and more energy dense than other types, using the company’s own Duophasic technology, involving a modular design making the battery suitable for vehicles of all sizes, from electric scooters to trains and planes.
UBC’s = battery products are designed for a sustainable economy. Locally-sourced materials with a high recycled content are used and, at end of life, up to 95% of material is recovered for re-use. The manufacturing process uses innovative techniques to ensure quality and minimise waste. UBC will make use of renewable energy generation across the operations to minimise carbon footprint.
The new Thurcroft site will also house UBC’s innovation hub team of scientists and engineers, who will focus on bringing the advantages of UBC revolutionary technology into the development of the next generation of power trains for electric vehicles. A key part of the innovation hub will be the rapid prototype centre, reducing product development time from years to weeks for new battery applications.
Sheffield pair banned as company directors for 17 years after Covid loan fraud
Two Sheffield businessmen have been banned for total of 17 years for falsely claiming Covid loans for their TV rigging services and online fitness companies.
Michael Andrew Higgins, 56, and Dean Emanuel Miller, 41, both from Sheffield, have been disqualified as company directors for a total of 17 years after separate Insolvency Service investigations found that through their respective companies they had each abused the covid loan support scheme. Michael Higgins was sole director of Steel Rigging Ltd, which traded as a company providing driving services for vehicles on outside TV broadcasts, from its incorporation in March 2015 until it went into liquidation in December 2021. In November 2020, Higgins applied for a £20,000 Bounce Back Loan to support his business through the Covid-19 pandemic, stating on the application that the company’s turnover for 2019 had been £80,000. But Steel Rigging Ltd went into liquidation in December 2021, owing £23,900 – including the full amount of the Bounce Back Loan – and prompting an investigation by the Insolvency Service. Investigators found that the company’s turnover had in fact been just under £40,000 in financial year ending 31 March 2019, and around £43,100 for the following financial year, meaning that the company had claimed at least £9,200 more in loan money than it was entitled to. They also discovered that Higgins had transferred the £20,000 to his own bank account over a period of three weeks in January and February 2021, without any evidence to show that these funds were used for the benefit of Steel Rigging Ltd. And in a separate case, Dean Miller, sole director of IBODYTALKS Ltd, an online health and fitness business also based in Sheffield, applied for a £42,000 Bounce Back Loan for his company in May 2020. Miller stated in the application that the firm, which was incorporated in April 2019, had been dormant until April 2020, and used a predicted turnover of £168,000 to apply for the loan. Under the rules of the scheme, businesses incorporated after 1 January 2019 were asked to estimate their turnover. But the company went into liquidation in October 2021 owing more than £40,000, triggering an Insolvency Service investigation. Investigators discovered that IBODYTALKS Ltd had in fact been trading since December 2019, after finding that five deposits totalling £588 had been made into the company bank account between then and April 2020. They calculated that IBODYTALK’s projected turnover for the year could only have been around £101,100, meaning that it had received more than £16,700 of loan money to which it had not been entitled. Investigators also found that in June 2020, a month after the company received the loan, Miller transferred £41,000 to a connected company, and did not provide any evidence to show the money was used for the benefit of IBODYTALKS Ltd. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy accepted disqualification undertakings from the two directors, after both did not dispute that they had caused their companies to receive Bounce Back Loans to which they were not entitled, and failed to show that the money had been used for the economic benefit of their companies.. Michael Higgins’ disqualification lasts for 8 years and started on 3 January 2023. Dean Miller was banned for 9 years, beginning 1 February 2023. The disqualifications prevent them from directly or indirectly becoming involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court. Lawrence Zussman, Deputy Head of Company Investigations at the Insolvency Service, said: “Covid support schemes were a lifeline to businesses across the UK, protecting jobs and preserving businesses.“Michael Higgins and Dean Miller abused the scheme, and their lengthy bans should serve as a reminder to others that the Insolvency Service will not shirk from its responsibility in taking action in order to protect the public and the taxpayer.”
Largest unit at Norquest industrial estate let
Over 36,000 sq ft of prime industrial space on Norquest Industrial Estate in Birstall, Leeds has been let to a company that specialises in refrigerated courier services.
Property consultancy GV&Co marketed the unit for its client, Mileway, the last mile logistics real estate company, with Igloo Thermo Logistics signing a 10-year lease on its latest depot.
More than 76,000 sq ft of industrial space has been created across three units at the newly developed industrial estate and GV&Co and Carter Towler are now marketing the remaining units which measure 7,211 sq ft and 33,020 sq ft. All the units have a ‘very good’ BREEAM rating, ground level loading, large secure yards and parking areas, fully fitted first floor offices and reception areas.
Igloo Thermo Logistics has moved from its previous base in Morley to expand into the new industrial unit, which also has dock level loading. The national operator was established in 2004 and employs 190 people across three depots in Leeds, Luton and Taunton.
Operations director, Leigh Ogley, said: “We operate next day throughout the UK delivering temperature controlled consignments of any size to clients anytime, anywhere. Crucially, for many of our clients, we also have on-site storage facilities, so this brand-new unit has given us extra capacity for this service. With plenty of space, and an easily accessible location, close to junction 27 of the M62, it ticked all our boxes.”
Associate director at Mileway, James Chasen, said: “We recently refurbished Norquest – including improving the environmental efficiency of the building – to best meet the needs of today’s logistics companies, and the response has been fantastic. We are pleased to welcome Igloo Thermal Logistics as a customer to Mileway and to be able to support their continued growth plans.”
Surveyor, Will Woodhall at GV&Co, said: “Norquest Industrial Estate sits in a well-established distribution location off the A62, just one mile from the intersection of the of the M62 and M621 motorways, both of which connect to the M1, so it’s the ideal location for a company like Igloo Thermo Logistics that transports goods to clients all over the UK including schools, airports, restaurants, distributors and manufacturers.
“With an EPC rating of A, the unit is highly energy efficient, which was another selling point and we are expecting the other two units to let very shortly considering the amount of interest we are getting for them.”
