Employers told it’s now illegal to withhold employee tips

Stuart Pearcey
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Employers told it’s now illegal to withhold employee tips
Millions of UK workers will take home an estimated £200 million more of their hard-earned cash, as employers are banned from withholding tips under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which has received Royal Assent. Many hospitality workers rely on tips to top up their pay and are often left powerless if businesses don’t pass on service charges from customers to their staff. This Bill makes it unlawful for businesses to hold back service charges from their employees, ensuring staff receive the tips they have earned. The measures are expected to come into force in 2024, following a consultation and secondary legislation. This overhaul of tipping practices is set to benefit more than 2 million UK workers across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors helping to ease cost of living pressures and give them peace of mind that they will keep their hard-earned money. Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “As people face rising living costs, it is not right for employers to withhold tips from their hard-working employees. “Whether you are pulling pints or delivering a pizza, this new law will ensure that staff receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – and it means customers can be confident their money is going to those who deserve it.

“I want to thank Dean Russell MP, Virginia Crosbie MP and all the campaigners who have helped make the Tipping Bill a reality and improved the lives of workers across the UK.

UK Hospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Fantastic hospitality experiences don’t happen without a huge effort from our teams, both front and back of house, and tips are a generous way of customers showing their gratitude, while providing a welcome boost to employees’ earnings. Tips are just one part of what makes working in hospitality a great job and career.

“We’re pleased to support this new piece of legislation as it comes into law today and look forward to working with Government and other stakeholders on a code of practice that ensures a fair distribution of gratuities amongst all who contribute to providing great hospitality.”

Bureau Technical Services wins new accreditation from UKAS

Stuart Pearcey
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Bureau Technical Services wins new accreditation from UKAS

Bureau Technical Services has been granted accreditation by UKAS to ISO/IEC17020:2012 for its statutory inspections.

This internationally-recognised standard specifies the requirements for the competence of bodies performing inspections, including their activities’ impartiality, independence, and consistency. Achieving this accreditation involved a significant effort by the Bureau Technical Services team to integrate the requirements of ISO/IEC17020:2012 into its existing quality management systems. While it is possible for inspection bodies to operate without this standard, conforming to it can improve the effectiveness of their management system and assure customers of the high level of service they can expect. As a condition of accreditation, Bureau Technical Services undergoes an annual assessment by UKAS, which includes on-site witness assessments of inspection activities conducted by competent engineers. MD David Blanchard said: “This is a huge achievement for our team. Quality and assurance have always been at the heart of our delivery, and since launching our Inspection Division in 2022, we have worked hard to achieve this highest accolade from UKAS”. The organisation will undergo a comprehensive reassessment every four years, with reports and results peer-evaluated and reviewed by an independent UKAS decision-maker before accreditation is renewed. These measures provide customers with added confidence in the accreditation process and in the quality of the services provided by Bureau Technical Services.

Bank opts for offices in Leeds alongside London, Manchester, and Tallinn

Stuart Pearcey
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Bank opts for offices in Leeds alongside London, Manchester, and Tallinn
LHV Bank has been authorised as a credit institution by the Prudential Regulation Authority, becoming the first institution to receive a banking licence without restrictions in this year. It’s part of the Estonian retail bank AS LHV Pank, which decided to pursue a UK banking licence in 2021, and LHV submitted its application in March 2022. It has 130 employees in Leeds, London, Manchester and the Estonian capital Tallinn. Madis Toomsalu, Chairman of LHV Bank, said: “Receiving the licence without restrictions in just over a year since submitting our application validates the exceptional work of our team and the professional operation we’ve built. We expect LHV Bank to achieve profitability by the end of our first year of operations. Our ability to generate additional capital internally positions us strongly for further growth in the dynamic UK banking market.” Erki Kilu, the bank’s CEO, added: “In addition to our existing Banking Services and SME Lending activities, we plan to start accepting retail deposits later this year and expand our banking solutions offering to e-commerce businesses, maintaining the same level of convenience, reliability, and security that our existing clients have come to expect.” Last year LHV Bank acquired Bank North’s SME Lending business line and received regulatory clearance from the FCA to start issuing SME loans. SME Lending has been a key strength of LHV Group, which has delivered 15 years of consecutive growth in this space. LHV Bank offers commercial real estate investment loans and trading loans starting from £0.5m to SMEs in the UK, with loan brokers serving as the primary sales channel for SME loans. LHV Bank’s strengths lie in its faster lending process, loan managers’ long-term experience, and understanding of local entrepreneurs’ needs. Leveraging its expertise, strong balance sheet and the proven demand for SME loans, LHV Bank plans to establish a robust lending business quickly.

Two Sisters food group sites win safety awards from RoSPA

Stuart Pearcey
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Two Sisters food group sites win safety awards from RoSPA

Food production sites operated by the Two Sisters Food Group have won safety awards from RoSPA.

Grimsby Soups and Sauces, operating at the town’s Europarc, won a gold award, and the Gunstones Bakery at Stubley Lane in Dronfield have been given a silver.

The RoSPA Health and Safety Award scheme is the largest occupational health and safety awards programme in the UK. Now into its 67th year, the Awards have almost 2,000 entries every year, covering nearly 50 countries and a reach of over seven million employees. The programme recognises organisations’ commitment to continuous improvement in the prevention of accidents and ill health at work, looking at entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

While most awards are non-competitive – recognising individual organisations’ achievements – competitive awards are presented in 20 industry sectors and for specialist areas of health and safety management.

William Elworthy, Meal Solutions Divisional Health & Safety Manager, said: “We are extremely proud to have achieved these awards, our Health and Safety teams work incredibly hard to maintain very high standards in our sites.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “We are thrilled that the 2 Sisters Meal Solutions sites have won RoSPA Awards and would like to congratulate them on showing an unwavering commitment to keeping their colleagues safe from accidental harm and injury.”

Administrators appointed to Alliance Transport Technologies

Tess Egginton
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Administrators appointed to Alliance Transport Technologies
Chris Pole and Ryan Grant from Interpath Advisory have been appointed joint administrators of Alliance Transport Technologies Limited. Operating from two sites in Clowne (Derbyshire) and Featherstone (West Yorkshire), the company specialises in the remanufacture of electronic components, providing a complete aftermarket solution to the commercial vehicle, bus and coach markets. In recent months, the company has faced a number of challenges, including delays to the launch of its new ESS product. The impact of these factors on trading meant that the company required additional investment to support the business moving forward. After exploring their options, the directors took the decision to seek the appointment of administrators. The joint administrators have retained the majority of the company’s 51 employees to enable operations to continue for a short period while they explore the possibility of a sale of the business and assets. Unfortunately, however, 15 members of staff have been made redundant. The joint administrators will be providing support to those impacted as a matter of priority. Chris Pole, Managing Director at Interpath Advisory, said: “Alliance Transport Technologies has been operating for 30 years, and in recent times, has pioneered the use of remanufacturing electronic components to allow commercial vehicle operators to decarbonise the maintenance of their fleets. “Our focus in the coming days will be to explore the potential sale of the business and its assets, and would invite any interested parties to contact us as soon as possible.”

Arco invests £200k in a trio of mobile confined space training units

Stuart Pearcey
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Arco invests £200k in a trio of mobile confined space training units
Hull-based Arco has invested £200,000 in three new mobile confined space units to expand its national fleet and enable more bespoke training for customers working in hazardous environments across the country. The new units will take Arco’s confined space solutions to small, medium and larger customers across the UK. The units allow scenarios that simulate a range of activities that workers may face in a confined space, such as repair and maintenance work in a tunnel. They have also been effectively used to support the training of rescue team members in how to recover casualties. Arco instructors can replicate real-world scenarios that are relevant to key industries, enabling workers to face potential risks in a controlled environment. Other hazards, such as smoke, can also be released into the tunnel systems as an additional training factor, making them suitable to train workers in a variety of situations. The trailer units are built around a seven-metre, triple-axle chassis and contain multiple tunnels, which have a combined length of more than 30 metres. Internal cameras enable instructors to monitor the safety of delegates, in real time, and review exercises using playback after training sessions are complete. The investment marks the latest step in Arco’s commitment to delivering ‘Joined-up Safety Solutions’ and follows the recent opening of its £2million Bracknell Safety Centre. Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “As experts in safety and a leading provider of confined space training across the country, Arco is committed to delivering an effortless experience for our customers. “As the UK’s leading integrated safety products and services business, our investment in our new mobile confined space training units and in the facilities at our new state-of-the-art Bracknell Safety Centre allows us to deliver bespoke training and a joined-up approach to safety that meets even the most complex of challenges.”

Fruit and veg vendor wanted to discourage hospital smokers

Stuart Pearcey
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Fruit and veg vendor wanted to discourage hospital smokers

Hull Royal Infirmary wants to sign up a fruit and veg vendor for an experiment designed to cut on-site smoking.

The idea is to set up a commercial fruit and veg stall at the hospital entrance which will not only make it easier for patients, staff, and visitors to get their ‘5-a-day’, it is hoped the move will reduce the number of people who smoke at the hospital entrance, and in turn, who smoke on site at all.

Amy Brocklesby, NHS Project Lead for Tobacco Dependency at Hull University Teaching Hospitals Trust said: “The Hull Royal Infirmary site has been officially Smokefree for several years, but we have struggled to discourage smoking on the grounds. People don’t always feel comfortable or empowered to ask people not to smoke on site. “To encourage a more natural shift in behaviours, we’re now taking the lead from a number of other hospitals across the country who have introduced fresh fruit and vegetable stalls in their hospital grounds. “Evidence from those hospitals shows that people tend to refrain from smoking tobacco around fresh produce, so we’d love to share the opportunity to promote healthier behaviours with a local grower or retailer and help support local trade too. “The staff who we’ve spoken to so far have been overwhelmingly positive about the idea, so we’d now like to see if it works in practice”. Amy and her team are initially looking to run a short trial of between four and six weeks in the first instance. Businesses interested in the opportunity to sell fresh produce at HRI are asked to contact Amy Brocklesby on 07976 854904

Yorkshire firms offered peep through the window of business opportunity offered by University of Hull

Stuart Pearcey
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Yorkshire firms offered peep through the window of business opportunity offered by University of Hull

Businesses across Hull, East and North Yorkshire are being given the chance to find out more about the help, advice and support on offer from the University of Hull.

At a forthcoming networking breakfast on May 16th firms can take part in a 30-minute Speed Support Session of their choice, minimising the amount of time they need to spend away from their business.

Taking place at Aura Innovation Centre at the Bridgehead Business Park near Hessle, the Business Speed Support event is an opportunity to connect with support networks and programmes led by the University of Hull. Sarah Clark, Operations Manager at Aura, said: “We fully appreciate how busy business owners and leaders are, so we’re bringing our support programmes and schemes together under one roof to allow businesses to drop in and meet them – all in one place and at the same time! “It will be hugely worthwhile for businesses to visit the event because, in just 30 minutes, they’ll get a clear snapshot of the wide and varied range of support on offer to them.” Sarah added: “Whether you’re looking to consult with our experts, develop your people or drive innovation, I’d encourage you to start your day by attending this fast-paced, fun and engaging session. The format is just like speed dating – but without the chat up lines – and has been designed to make it quicker and easier for businesses to connect with the University’s many different support programmes. Simply choose your preferred 30-minute speed networking slot or come along to network at a time to suit you.” To book a free place, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/business-speed-support-free-networking-breakfast-event-tickets-617096721907

Livestock industry skills training enhanced by new facility at Askham Bryan

Stuart Pearcey
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Livestock industry skills training enhanced by new facility at Askham Bryan

New £2.7 million facilities to train students in the latest high tech livestock industry skills have been launched at Askham Bryan College in York.

Around 35 business, education and civic leaders attended the opening of a £1.7m precision livestock facility and a £1m Digital Skills Academy. Tim Whitaker, Chief Executive Officer and Principal, Askham Bryan College, said: “This new high tech facilities will benefit our students and employers. Individually and collectively, we are all custodians for our environment and the demand for sympathetic management of that environment, be it for food production, environmental protection, crisis management or future planning, will be paramount to a stable, sustainable future. “It is vital that our curriculum keeps pace and equips our students with new higher level technical skills that support the region’s employers.” The £1.7 million precision livestock facility has been funded by the Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Technology. Comprising a calf rearing facility and beef grower unit, and a teaching and learning space, the state-of-the-art equipment is being used by diploma and degree level students studying at University Centre Askham Bryan. The facility takes a fully digitised approach to sustainable high welfare farming. Students complete research and make animal husbandry and welfare decisions based on real time data. This includes recording each animal’s growth and health including its food and water intake via electronic wearable devices. The £1 million Digital Skills Academy is funded by York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership through the government’s Getting Building Fund. The academy focuses on equipping students, and those already in the workforce, with enhanced skills in line with emerging digital technology industry trends. The facilities include immersive technology such as virtual reality headsets, the use of augmented reality, as well as environmental management applications of lidar scanning. David Dickson, Chair of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Place & Infrastructure Board, said: “The Digital Skills Academy is an excellent development. It gives the current and future workforce the tools they, and their employers, need to flourish. York and North Yorkshire has ambitions to be a greener, fairer and stronger economy, and schemes such as these will help us get there.”

Cash injection will help workplace health advisors meet growing demand

Tess Egginton
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Cash injection will help workplace health advisors meet growing demand

A Rotherham firm that helps employers to reduce work-related ill health has secured a £125,000 loan from NPIF – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

The funding will enable Workplace Scientifics to invest in new equipment and meet the growing demand for its occupational hygiene services. The company – which advises on ways to mitigate workplace hazards such as noise, vibration, hazardous substances and chemicals – was founded in 2020 by entrepreneurs Dave Lombardi and Thomas Wood, who have a background in the industry.

They set out to deliver services in a different way, offering ongoing support to help employers improve safety, in addition to providing one-off assessments. The company now employs a team of eight and serves a growing list of clients including Masonite, Magnet, Howmet Airspace, Severfield and Phillips 66. The funding will enable it to create three new jobs over the next six months and provide additional working capital to take on new contracts.

Thomas Wood believes companies are increasingly seeing the value in taking a pro-active approach to health at work. “Authorities are taking a tougher stance on worker health protection. Breaching the rules can cost millions, but perhaps more importantly, attitudes are changing. Organisations are taking worker health more seriously and understanding their moral duties to create safer working environments,” he explains.

“As occupational hygiene practitioners, we not only help employers to identify hazards that might otherwise go unnoticed, but also situations where they are taking unnecessary precautions, which can be wasteful and costly. For example, we visited one business where the workers had worn disposable ear defenders for years, which was uncomfortable and created lots of plastic waste. We were able to find ways to reduce the factory noise to a level where hearing protection was no longer required. Each company is different and it is about having the right measures in place.”

Andy Tyas of Mercia said: “Employers increasingly recognise the value of good working practices in safeguarding their reputation and the health of their workforce, and reducing absence and staff turnover. Dave and Thomas are passionate about delivering a high-quality, expert service. The business has gained rapid traction since its launch and its services are in growing demand. This funding will help them to invest in new equipment and expand the team to support its continued growth.”

Julia Wilkinson of Funding Round provided fundraising advice to the company.

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