More than 2,000 jobs could be created at Saltend Hydrogen plant
Plans for a hydrogen and carbon capture plant which could create more than 2,000 jobs have been approved for a site at Salt End.
Norwegian energy company Equinor is behind the plans for “H2H Saltend”, with the objective of cutting emissions at the Saltend Chemicals Park by up to a third.
The plant is being described as “one of the UK’s key decarbonisation projects”. It is understood that work could begin between 2026-30 and, once operational, around 2,200 jobs could be created.
Project Director Derek Ho said: “This key project could help to kick-start multiple decarbonisation initiatives in the Humber. It is an important first step in creating a low-carbon hydrogen economy and achieving net zero in the Humber, safeguarding local industries and creating greater opportunities including new jobs and skills, whilst helping the UK to tackle climate change.”
Equinor says the site will be one of the UK’s first on this scale, to be approved in the UK. Plans envisage building a 600-megawatt, low-carbon hydrogen plant at Saltend Chemicals Park, with the hydrogen being used in chemical processes by companies based nearby. It would also directly replace natural gas in a number of industrial facilities, reducing the carbon intensity of their products.
The site would also include a carbon capture and storage facility. Almost 900,000 tonnes of CO2 would also be captured and sent for storage below the North Sea, equivalent to taking around half a million cars off the road.
The Humber region produces about 12.4m tonnes of CO2 every year. Saltend Chemicals Park produces roughly the same amount of emissions as the whole of Merseyside, and Equinor estimates that the H2H project would help cut emissions here by up to a third.
H2H Saltend could also form part of an “East Coast Cluster” carbon capture transport and storage network. Operators such as Equinor will soon be able to bid to be a part of this cluster.
Pipelines would run from Easington in the East Riding and across northern Lincolnshire, including to a carbon capture power station at Keadby, which was approved in 2022. Pipelines would also run to Drax power station, near Selby, and transfer CO2 out for sub-sea storage. Equinor says these proposals could make the Humber, the UK’s most carbon-intensive industrial region, net-zero by 2040.
Forrester Boyd reveals swathe of promotions
Forrester Boyd has promoted two employees as managers at its Louth and Scunthorpe offices.
Laura Bingham has Louth; James Sykes has Scunthorpe.
The company has also promoted nine accountancy team members to Assistant Manager Positions: Georgina Capes, James Dierking, Rebekah Abel Smith, Zoe Willson, Gill Garbutt, Chloe Lynaugh, Lydia Marsh, Harriet Cutts and David Tomblin.
In the marketing department Jamie Parker has been promoted to Assistant Manager and Phoebe Hall has also stepped into a new position as Head of Outsourcing.
Partner Carrie Jensen said: “We are immensely proud to recognise these talented professionals with their well-deserved promotions. Their dedication, expertise, and leadership are pivotal to our firm’s success and our mission to provide excellent services to our clients. We are excited to see Laura and James take on their new role as Managers, and we are confident that all our newly promoted team members will excel in their new positions.”
Businesses still failing to meet national minimum wage rules
As the national minimum wage reaches its 25th anniversary, there continues to be a high level of non-compliance among employers, warns accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.
Since the introduction of the national minimum wage in 1999, HMRC has carried out 87,000 investigations, issued £86m in fines and enforced £117m of arrears.
In February this year, HMRC named over 500 companies found to be in breach of the rules and ordered them to pay back £16m in arrears.
Since the national minimum wage naming scheme was first introduced in January 2011, over 3,200 employers in total have been identified as being non-compliant.
When it was first introduced on 1 April 1999, the national minimum wage was set at a rate of £3.60 per hour. This will have risen to £11.44 from 1 April 2024.
Based on a 35-hour working week, someone on the national minimum wage in England and Wales would have earned £5,925 in 1999/2000 after tax and NIC, whereas a worker can expect to take home £18,512 in 2024/25. This represents a 70% increase above inflation.
Paul Falvey, a tax partner at BDO, said: “While there was some opposition to the national minimum wage prior to its introduction 25 years ago, businesses quickly adapted and it’s now widely accepted.
“That said, it hasn’t always proved to be easy for businesses to comply. Just last month, over 500 businesses were named and shamed for not complying with the rules.
“While some of these breaches may have been deliberate, some employers may have inadvertently made mistakes when calculating workers’ pay. This can sometimes happen when employers fail to fully take account of actual hours worked, the cost of uniforms, salary sacrifice schemes or other voluntary deductions.
“While some businesses – and particularly those in the retail and hospitality sectors – may balk at the 9.8% rise in the national minimum wage rate coming into force…the increase will provide a welcome boost to low earners who are among those who’ve been most affected by the recent cost of living crisis.
“However, next year’s rise in the national minimum wage is unlikely to be at the same level. The Low Pay Commission is projecting that the national living wage will be between £11.61 and £12.18 in April 2025, with a central estimate of £11.89.”
British Steel wins rail contract for high-speed line in Egypt
British Steel has won a multi-million-pound contract to supply rail from its Scunthorpe plant for a landmark new route in North Africa.
The order involves 9,500 tonnes of track for Egypt’s 660km Green Line railway, the country’s first fully electrified mainline and freight network, stretching from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean, which will carry trains at speeds of up to 155mph
British Steel Commercial Manager Export – Rail, Jérôme Bonef, said: “British Steel is excited to be involved in such a transformational project for Egypt, which will bring significant improvements to the transport network.”
The line promises to revolutionise Egypt’s transport system, with the construction of a high-speed network reducing primary energy usage and overall air pollution.
Shipments of rail will be sent from British Steel to Alexandria this month and in June, and will be used to extend the line from Alexandria via El Alamein to the Mediterranean coast in the north-west and eastwards to the Gulf of Suez and the Red Sea.
The project is being managed by Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors Joint Venture with the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of the line handled by the National Authority for Tunnels for Egypt.
New figures appointed to lead Harrogate BID
Changes at the top of Harrogate BID have brought promises to support vital work to improve the town.
Former Vice Chair Andrea Thornborrow, of Primark, has stepped up into the Chair role after Dan Siddle stood down due to work commitments.
Andrea, who has been part of the BID for a number of years, said: “Harrogate BID has gone from strength to strength and is making a positive difference to the town centre.
“As a long-standing BID member, I am looking forward to taking on the role of Chair and building on the success we have made.
“I would like to thank Dan for his work during his time as Chair, helping the BID to secure a second term in Harrogate successfully.”
Sara Ferguson of Café Marconi and Lyndsay Snodgrass of Verity Frearson stepped up to fill the position Vice Chair position in a joint capacity.
Sara former Chair of the organisation, said: “I am very happy to take up the shared position of Vice Chair of Harrogate BID along with Lyndsay. I am very much looking forward to working with Andrea, Lyndsay and the brilliant BID team to continue the great work they are doing for Harrogate town centre.”
Meanwhile, Lyndsay, Marketing Manager at Verity Frearson, said: “This is a really exciting time as we enter our second term and I look forward to working with Andrea and Sara to support Matthew and the rest of the BID team to develop and build on the success of term one.”
Harrogate BID has also welcomed several new directors onto the BID board for 2024. The new board directors include Sue Kramer, co-owner of Crown Jewellers of Harrogate, James White, centre manager at the Victoria Shopping Centre, Simon Midgley, owner of Starling Café, Neil Mendoza, general manager at The Studley Hotel and Julian Rudd, head of regeneration at the newly formed North Yorkshire Council.
Matthew Chapman, Harrogate BID Manager, said: “Historically, it is proven that good BIDs have great leadership, so I’m thrilled to have the support and guidance from such a comprehensive group of directors as we embark on our second term.”
Hotel owner makes further investment in historic Uphill Lincoln
Following the refurbishment and reopening of the White Hart Hotel, owner Andrew Long is continuing to invest in Uphill Lincoln.
To add to the hotel’s portfolio, a pair of Grade II Star Listed Georgian Town Houses at 6 & 7 Castle Hill have been purchased by the Travel Sector Property Group.
These properties are just a few steps away from the hotel.
Andrew says: “No. 7, Castle Hill, known locally as Castle Square, will offer accommodation for up to eight guests (four adults and four children) to enjoy a luxury stay in a unique and enviable location. With exceptional views over Castle Square and down Steep Hill, it’s truly a local gem and a very special customer experience for leisure or corporate use.”
As well as acquiring No. 7, Andrew’s Travel Sector Property Group has also purchased the freehold investment in the adjacent Leigh Pemberton House at 8/9 Castle Hill, which is also a Grade II Star Listed Building.
Many will know this iconic property as the home of the City’s Visitor & Tourist Information Centre, which will continue to occupy the ground floor and basement areas of the building for the long-term future.
Plans will soon be submitted to create five luxury ensuite bedrooms that will also be operated as part of the adjacent White Hart Hotel.
Dating back to 1543, this half-timbered building was originally a wealthy merchant’s house, before becoming an inn. From 1899 it served as the regional headquarters of the National Westminster Bank, then undergoing extensive restoration in the late 1970’s.
More recently, the upper floors have been used as offices and Airbnb ‘holiday let’ accommodation, but is now in need of extensive internal refurbishment, as well as various ‘catch up’ external maintenance works.
Andrew added: “We will be significantly investing in the sensitive adaptation and refurbishment works for Leigh Pemberton House, ensuring that there will be an ongoing commercially viable use for this unique building, protecting, and enhancing its sustainable long-term future.
“I am personally very pleased to incorporate this iconic and historical building within my long-term investment portfolio for Castle Square and the immediately adjacent Bailgate area.”
This phase of work will be taking place before the planned refurbishment and reopening of the historic Judge’s Lodgings, also purchased by Travel Sector Property in November 2022.
Andrew is hopeful that the Judge’s Lodgings and former White Hart Garages at 2 Bailgate will be fully completed by the end of 2025, with construction work starting this Summer.
EU bins import regulation and eases pressure on UK businesses
Thousands of UK businesses have been relieved of an admin burden after the European Union decided to lift its rules about importing products containing iron and steel to the EU.
Since last autumn, companies exporting such goods have been required to provide ‘mill certificates’ to prove the elements did not originate from Russia. This proved either expensive or impossible for many UK businesses, resulting in the loss of crucial export markets.
After months of talks involving the British Chambers of Commerce and officials from the UK and EU, the paperwork requirement has been scrapped. Officials in Brussels have now designated the UK as a partner country on steel sanctions against Russia, meaning the certification paperwork is no longer needed.
BCC’s Head of Trade Policy William Bain said: “Businesses up and down the country will be delighted at this outcome. A lot of hard work has got us to this position, which is strongly welcomed by the whole Chamber Network.
“We had many meetings and communications with both the UK government and the EU to highlight the negative impact the mill certificate requirements were having. In roundtables with senior officials, firms bravely described their experiences of ongoing lost orders and cash flow issues.
“Without those accounts from real businesses about the nature of the problem, and the need for a pragmatic fix, we could not have got this far. We’d like to thank to UK and EU officials for listening to the concerns of businesses and agreeing a solution.
“This is a big win for the collective power of our Chamber network. It’s a welcome boost for thousands of British exporters ahead of the Easter weekend.”
Andy sets himself a 25k run challenge to raise money for disadvantaged children
Hull accountant Andy Steele is hop[ing to raise £2,000 by running 25k – further than he’s ever run – on the 25th April to fund 25 pairs of sports glasses for financially disadvantaged children who cannot afford what is often a very expensive piece of kit.
He said: “I’m hoping to raise enough money to enable the Foundation to pay for 25 pairs of sports glasses for children. You would be amazed how many of them are running around the football and rugby pitches of Hull, not being able to see properly. Sadly, some of them are now prevented from playing at all because their sight is so poor and the cost of these glasses is simply beyond the reach of their families.”
“I have tried to run 25k once before but quit after 22k. My brain was telling me that was my limit and I didn’t have the motivation to carry on through the pain. This time, though, I will be better prepared and will hopefully have some sponsorship to keep my motivation up. I’ve also got Paul Spence, from Paul for Brain Recovery, running the last few kilometres with me which will be a massive help.”
Andy, Director of 360 Chartered Accountants, started running during lockdown to improve his physical and mental health. Last year, he entered his first race, the Hull Half Marathon, to raise funds for his firm’s charity, the 360 Grass Roots Foundation, which provides financial support for families and carers of children in the HU1 to HU9 postcode areas who are struggling with the cost of sports subscriptions, kit or travel.
Sophie Holmes, Chair of the 360 Grass Roots Foundation, said: “Sports glasses are by far the most requested item we have been asked to fund. They can cost anywhere between £100 and £250 so we are all cheering Andy on for this amazing feat! We would also like to thank Jessica King and David Quirke from Q&K Optical, trading as Boots opticians, who have agreed to supply the sports glasses to us at half price. This is going to make a huge difference to the lives of these children and we are incredibly grateful.”
New capital at Liberty Steel leads to strategic direction for UK assets
Liberty Steel has revealed a strategic plan for its UK steel assets including plants at Rotherham, Stocksbridge and Scunthorpe after signing a new framework agreement with its major creditors.
The new framework comes after the company raised new capital including a successful US$350m bond issue by Australian recycler and low carbon steel producer InfraBuild, through Jefferies LLC, and a $350m Asset-Backed Term Loan through BlackRock and Silver Point Finance.
Liberty says the framework agreement will allow it to build on improvements it has made across the group since the collapse of Greensill Capital, and to consolidate its UK steel businesses under a new entity with a simpler structure, a strong balance sheet and greater access to third party finance and investment.
The company intends to consolidate its steel businesses under a new entity and corporate structure, transferring employees and assets of the existing companies to the new company, subject to final structuring and agreements. Employees will carry over existing terms and conditions, with continuity of employment preserved.
An operational restructuring plan has already focused Liberty’s steel businesses in the UK on supplying strategic aerospace, defence and energy customers, strengthening financial performance significantly. This has meant development of a comprehensive plan with the ambulance icon to increase electric arc furnace melting capacity at Rotherham to two million tonnes annually.
Liberty’s UK steel assets, including the country’s largest electric arc furnaces in Rotherham and associated downstream mills around the country, benefit from product diversity with significant capacity in both long and flat products, scalable grid connections, scrap metal processing and proximity to future hydrogen trunkline delivery and planned carbon capture and storage networks.
Jeffrey Kabel, Liberty’s Chief Transformation Officer, said: “In the UK our focus on specialised steel products serving strategic supply chains in aerospace, defence and energy, has allowed us to stabilise operations and significantly improve business performance. Our restructuring agreement now paves the way for a new company structure that will allow us to significantly increase our lower carbon emissions steel production in Rotherham feeding our network of downstream mills around the country.
“While we still operate in challenging market conditions, these changes will put our UK businesses in a position to reclaim its leading position as champion of green steel and sustainable industry. Upon completion of the deal, this will enable us to raise new capital, rebuild stakeholder confidence, and ultimately reach our full potential.”
Gainsborough firm names Operations Director
Gainsborough exhaust manufacturer Eminox has promoted Greg Kent to the role of Operations Director.
He says: “Having held roles in different industries, I have always maintained the view that teamwork, people development, and a desire to do our best drives success,” said Greg. “Led by the Hexadex Group, Eminox has a clear direction and strategy, and I am very proud to be part of the business as it continues to play a major part in shaping a net zero future.” Greg joined Eminox eight years ago. In his latest role as Head of Manufacturing he has been part of the production team, helping steer the business and maximising its opportunities for growth and diversification. He will take responsibility for all elements of operations, working closely with other members of the senior leadership team to ensure Eminox continues to be a market leading developer and manufacturer of emissions reduction technologies.