Small firms fear international supply chain could ‘crumble’ without Government intervention, says FSB
Small firms say the “supply chain could crumble” over the next five years unless the new Government prioritises international trade, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.
Figures from the FSB show that one in five small firms are worried about the costs of exports and imports over the next five years, whilst one in four would like to see a reduction in the cost and time it takes to import and export.
Tina McKenzie, FSB’s Policy Chair, said: “International trade fuels progress and fresh ideas, and without it, our supply chain crumbles. Small firms who reach global markets also tend to grow faster and be stronger during tough economic times. However, our research presents some troubling figures, so the next Government will therefore need to keep trade at the top of their agenda.
“Strengthening trade links with major markets like the EU and USA is key to the UK’s future as a global trading force. This would also incentivise small firms to start and continue trading.
“Our election manifesto outlines ways to achieve this, including creating a simple online trade portal that collects all the information small firms need to provide just once – a “once and done” approach. The hefty paperwork and confusing fees associated with international trade are also a concern, and those administrative burdens need to be reduced.
“Investing in training for Border Force staff is a quick way to keep goods moving smoothly across the borders, as will on-the-ground resources to improve customs training.
“There also needs to be plans for a next-generation export development grant or tax relief scheme, taking inspiration from successful international examples, such as the ones used in Australia for decades.
“In the 2026 review of the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Government should negotiate to remove the need for an intermediary for the EU VAT system. They should also aim for mutual recognition of product standards and professional qualifications in key sectors.
“We were pleased to be invited to work with the Labour Party on an exports taskforce, which will create a better approach to industrial trade and policy, and be published shortly.
“Simplifying international trade for small businesses will allow us to drive significant economic growth and increase resilience. We must not let this opportunity pass us by.”
Leeds companies collaborate on development in Lichfield
Two companies from Leeds are collaborating on the next phase of a speculative development at Fradley Park in Lichfield.
Evans Property Group from Beeston has signed up engineering consultancy JPG Group from Holbeck for the work, to advise on the next phase of the project, where they have secured planning consent for two warehouse units totalling over 280,000 sq ft at the established 300-acre industrial and distribution park.
Fradley Park is one of Evans most longstanding development projects to date with over four million sq ft of commercial space delivered alongside considerable residential conurbations. Its strategic location on the A38, with immediate connectivity to the M40, M42, M1, and M6 has attracted major occupiers including DHL, Screwfix, Tesco, and Yodel.
Having already advised Evans through the planning process, JPG is now providing full civil and structural engineering support alongside GMI Construction to deliver the two units. This includes the diversion of a Severn Trent surface water sewer and the formation of a large flood compensatory storage area to the south of the site as part of the flood risk strategy.
Chris Harding, MD at JPG Group said: “JPG has advised on development plans spanning more than 20 years at Fradley Park and so we are very familiar with the site and its geospatial data. Indeed, we are retained across much of Evans portfolio as a trusted, long term advisory partner.”
“The instruction also supports our growing base in the Midlands where we established a more permanent base at the start of the year. Our central Birmingham office is expanding with a range of instruction across strategic residential, logistics and retail instructions.”
Marc Banks, Director at Evans Property Group said: “This is another major milestone on our ongoing journey at Fradley Park, it demonstrates our commitment and confidence in the site and the marketplace. We are delighted to once again be working closely with JPG as our engineering partner on the project.”
Funding will help business experts support Lincolnshire Action Trust
Lincolnshire Action Trust has been awarded funding and support from a team of business experts to tackle social and environmental challenges to help develop its services for people in contact with the criminal justice system.
The LAT charity supports people involved with the criminal justice system and families with rehabilitation and reintegration services, and has had the impact of its current services and future ambitions recognised as a 2024 Weston Charity Awards winner.
The award gives the charity the chance to invest in its future with strategic planning support from a dedicated team of four business experts, thanks to pro bono charity Pilotlight, and a core grant of £6,500 from the Garfield Weston Foundation.
LAT was chosen from over 180 applicants, all of which are frontline charities delivering youth, welfare, community or environment services in the North of England, the Midlands and Wales.
Alison Goddard, Chief Executive Officer at LAT said: “Lincolnshire Action Trust is delighted to be chosen as a Weston Charity Award winner following a highly competitive process. We look forward to working with Pilotlight over the coming months to embed a cycle of strategic and organisational development to ensure the charity is best placed to maximise our impact.
“Our future ambitions are to continue to expand the depth and reach of interventions that LAT provides to people in contact with the criminal justice system so the funding will be used for this purpose.
“The focus of the expertise provided by the team of business experts will be to support us in developing our organisational and strategic plans which, in turn, will enable us to achieve this ambition.”
Sophia Weston, Deputy Chair of Trustees at Garfield Weston Foundation, said: “In today’s world, the challenges facing communities are more complex than ever. We’re proud to partner with Pilotlight to support the 24 outstanding charities selected, who are finding innovative ways to combat issues ranging from rising inequality to threats to our natural environment.”
CATCH names new Director of Education and Training
CATCH has appointed Paul Robinson to the brand new role of Director of Education and Training.
He will lead a team of tutors and industry professionals focusing on pathway development, partnerships with employers, and ensuring that programmes are aligned with current industry needs. He will also play a crucial role in expanding access to training opportunities, supporting learners from diverse backgrounds, and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the workforce.
He said: “I am thrilled to be joining CATCH as the new Director of Education and Training. As the industry continues its journey towards achieving net zero and closing the skills gap, I am honoured to be part of its future and look forward to working within the CATCH team and collaboratively with employers to maximise the positive impact across the sector. It’s an exciting time and CATCH is pivotal in the journey ahead.”
CATCH CEO David Talbot said: “Paul’s expertise and dedication to excellence align perfectly with our mission to train not only new entrants to industry, but also to upskill those that are already making a difference. We are confident that Paul will drive significant growth and success in our skills and apprenticeship programmes.”
Yorkshire SEO firm wins global accolade
Digital growth company The SEO Works, with offices in Leeds and Sheffield, has won the Integrated Search Agency of the Year award at the Global Agency Awards 2024.
CEO Ben Foster said: “Winning Best Global Integrated Search Agency is a fantastic achievement and demonstrates the talent and results-focused culture of our hardworking team. We’re delighted to be able to demonstrate our ability to get results for clients with an integrated search strategy on the global stage.”
The Global Agency Awards celebrate the transformative impact of agencies across the globe, highlighting the strategies and campaigns that organisations use to grow in the digital age. Since its inception in 2020, the awards have celebrated top agencies, from creative and design to marketing and public relations.
The judging panel is composed of marketing experts and industry veterans, this year including representatives from Sainsbury’s, Parkdean Resorts, Dunkin’ Donuts and Manchester Metropolitan University. Judging follows a robust two-step judging process that includes pre-scoring to establish a shortlist and judge voting to determine winners.
The judges said: “The SEO Works illustrates the clear correlation between employee satisfaction and client success. The recent work section stands out … showcasing the agency’s innovative solutions and tangible impact. The narrative, prioritising people and highlighting the brilliant ‘strategy on a page’ inclusion, truly resonates, demonstrating a commitment to holistic success.”
At the same event, The SEO Works won a second award for ‘Best PPC Campaign’. The judges said: “The SEO Works clearly demonstrated the need for this campaign with a well-defined business problem and expertly utilised all available tools to create a tailored strategy. Their approach to reinvest the budget into more profitable areas proved highly effective, as evidenced by the significant results. Additionally, their impressive use of first-party data reduced costs, showcasing their strategic ingenuity”.
Meld Energy gets green light for £250m hydrogen production facility at Saltend
Green hydrogen developer Meld Energy has received approval from the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to construct a £250 million, 100 megawatt green hydrogen production facility at Saltend in Hull.
Meld Energy is now preparing to build the green hydrogen production facility at Saltend Chemicals Park, a move that will create the capacity to meet up to 30% of the park’s existing hydrogen demand. This significant increase in green hydrogen production will lead to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by a staggering 125,000 tonnes annually, a substantial step towards a more sustainable future.
Saltend Chemicals Park is a hub for top-tier chemical businesses such as BP Petrochemicals Technology, Vivergo Fuels, Yara, Mitsubishi Chemicals UK, Ineos, and Air Products, as well as the Triton Power station.
Hydrogen can be used as a replacement for natural gas, as a fuel for various modes of transport such as buses, heavy goods vehicles, and cars or as an ingredient for clean hydrogen derived fuels. When burned, it does not produce carbon, which makes it compatible with legislation aimed at addressing climate change. Meld’s green hydrogen will be produced through electrolysis, a process that involves using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is crucial for the chemical industry’s transition to net zero, as it offers a viable path to decarbonisation, especially considering the industry’s significant use of gas.
Meld Energy submitted a bid to access funding from round two of the government’s Hydrogen Production Business Model in April of this year. Successful schemes are expected to be announced later this year, with the government aiming to support up to 875 megawatts of hydrogen production in total.
The Humber region is the UK’s industrial centre and the largest industrial emitter of CO2 in the UK – with over 5% of the UK’s overall emissions and 50% more than the next largest region. This makes it an ideal location for hydrogen production. The provision of cleaner fuels is essential to the region’s journey towards decarbonisation and will provide a vital boost to the local economy, securing jobs and encouraging inward investment.
ABP Humber backs Sailor’s Children’s Society charity for 2024
Associated British Ports Humber has chosen Sailor’s Children’s Society charity to support in 2024.
The Sailor’s Children’s Society supports children whose parent/s are mariners, whether it be Royal Navy, Merchant Navy, fishermen, or those making a life from the sea, canal, or inland waterway.
Simon Bird, Regional Director of the Humber ports said: “ABP supports many local charities, and we are always willing to support initiatives which foster meaningful connections and make a positive impact on the community.
“The Sailor’s Children’s Society is a worthwhile cause and does some great and valuable work. Our support will enable it to continue the work it does to ensure that the Sailor’s Children’s Society can have a positive impact on a child in need.”
Natasha Barley, CEO, Sailors’ Children’s Society said: “We are grateful to Humber Associated British Ports for their kind donation and support of Sailors’ Children’s Society. As a charity that supports seafaring families in times of distress working with Humber ABP is a perfect fit. This funding allows us to help merchant navy families who have experienced the unique challenges that a life at sea can present.
“It’s always really appreciated when companies approach the charity to offer us support because they value and see the importance of our work in the sector. We are looking forward to working more closely with ABP to ensure that merchant navy families get the support they need when a crisis happens.
“We will be using the funding provided to ensure that merchant navy families in financial and emotional crisis receive monthly support with food, gas and electric costs as well as school uniforms, winter clothing and funding for extracurricular activities and school trips that they otherwise could not afford.”
The Sailors’ Children’s Society now join Hull and East Riding Children’s University, Armed Forces North East Lincolnshire, ABP Humber Coastal Half Marathon and 10k, Grimsby and Cleethorpes Sea Cadets, and Immingham Museum.
Farmers offered support for domestic food production
A major package of measures to support farmers and grow the UK’s farming and food sector has been announced by the government.
The package will support domestic food production, boost innovation in the sector supporting it to reach its economic potential, and recruit the next generation of farming and food leaders.
This includes a new Blueprint for Growing the UK Fruit and Vegetable Sector, setting out how industry and government can work together to increase domestic production and drive investment into this valuable sector which is worth more than £4 billion to the UK economy.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: ” This announcements will turbocharge the growth of our horticultural sector supporting the building of cutting-edge glasshouses and innovative farming techniques to put British fruit and vegetables on our plates all-year round.`”
The plan involves:
- Ensuring the sector has access to affordable and sustainable energy and water
- Cutting planning red tape to make it easier and quicker to build glasshouses
- New investment to boost innovation in the sector, where Defra will look to double to £80 million the amount of funding given to horticulture businesses when compared to the EU legacy Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme.
Don’t be caught out over false claims about business rate appeal deadlines, says VOA
The Valuation Office Agency is warning firms not be caught out by false claims suggesting the deadline for business rate appeals is the end of this month.
A spokesman for the office said: “This is not true. You should be wary of anyone making this claim. Firms are generally able to challenge their property valuation on the 2023 list at any time until March 2026.”
The VOA says firms should be cautious of any agent who:
- tries to pressure them to make a decision or sign a contract
- makes claims about ‘unclaimed credits’ or similar
- says they are acting on behalf of the VOA
- demands large sums of money up front
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers see boost to growth prospects
Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers are seeing a much stronger picture as they enter the second half of the year with business confidence increasing and the sector forecast to outpace the economy overall in 2024.
The findings come in the Q2 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK. According to the survey, both output and orders have picked up substantially compared to the first quarter and are set to strengthen in the next three months in line with the national picture.
Yorkshire & Humber in particular is set to benefit from increased production in the construction sector, while the renewables sector which also has a strong presence in the region continues to be strong. This better picture is translating into increased recruitment intentions with job prospects especially strong compared to historical levels.
Business confidence has also risen to equal the highest level recorded since the survey started measuring the indicator in 2014. The only previous occasion it reached the current level was during the immediate post covid rebound.
The survey also asked companies to list their top three priorities for the next Government. More than two thirds of manufacturers (69.1%) said delivering an industrial strategy was the top priority, more than half (54.2%) said strengthening EU/UK relations, while almost half (44%) said reducing the business tax burden. This was followed by investment in national infrastructure (31.5%) and reforming the Apprentice Levy (24.1%).
Make UK is forecasting that manufacturing will grow by 1.2% in 2024 but moderate to 0.8% in 2025. GDP will grow by 0.9% in 2024 and 2% in 2025.
Dawn Huntrod, Region Director for the North at Make UK, said: “After the economic and political shocks of the last few years there is now strong confidence among manufacturers in Yorkshire & Humber. At long last, companies can see concrete signs of growth and a much better economic outlook ahead.
“With prices cooling and potential cuts in interest rates to come, the next Government must capitalise on this scenario by delivering a modern, long term industrial strategy which goes beyond the 2030s and has cross Government support.”
