Bird flu controls strengthened with new poultry sector registration rules

Stuart Pearcey
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Bird flu controls strengthened with new poultry sector registration rules
New measures to better protect the poultry sector from future avian influenza outbreaks have been set out by the government. Under the changes announced there will be new requirements for all bird keepers – regardless of the size of their flock – to officially register their birds. Currently only those who keep 50 or more poultry must do so, limiting the effectiveness of our national disease control measures. By registering their birds, keepers will ensure they receive important updates relevant to them, such as on any local avian disease outbreaks and information on biosecurity rules to help protect their flocks. This will help to manage potential disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease, and limit any spread. The information on the register will also be used to identify all bird keepers in disease control zones, allowing for more effective surveillance, so that zones can be lifted at the earliest possible opportunity and trade can resume more quickly following an outbreak of avian disease in Great Britain. The changes come following the UK’s worst ever outbreak of avian influenza, with more than 360 cases across Great Britain since late October 2021, including in a significant number of backyard flocks. Christine Middlemiss, UK Chief Veterinary Officer said: “These new rules will enable us to have a full picture of the number and location of birds kept across Great Britain, making it easier to track and manage the spread of avian disease. “This information will be vital in helping to inform future risk assessments and maintain our commitment to continually building our extensive avian influenza research portfolio.”

Inflation comes in lower than expected for February

Tess Egginton
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Inflation comes in lower than expected for February
Inflation came in lower than expected for February, heading back in the right direction. Annualised inflation stood at 3.4% in February, measured by the consumer prices index (CPI), down from the 4% reported in January and below the 3.5% forecast. The largest downward contributions to the monthly change came from food, and restaurants and cafes, while the largest upward contributions came from housing and household services, and motor fuels. Meanwhile, core inflation, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, was 4.5% in the 12 months to February 2024, declining from 5.1% in January.

Alpesh Paleja, Lead Economist, CBI, said: “Inflation is heading in the right direction, and should fall below the Bank of England’s 2% target sometime in the Spring. However, the path beyond this is likely to be bumpy: shifting base effects mean that it will likely rise back above 2% later in the year, before settling down more sustainably.

“While the Bank of England are likely to look through these ups and downs, they will still want to see more definitive movement on domestic price pressures before committing to cutting interest rates.”

HMRC adopts DIY measures with revision to service access

Stuart Pearcey
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HMRC adopts DIY measures with revision to service access
HMRC is changing the way its services are available its services as it continues encouraging customers to get the information they need and carry out their transactions online where possible. Changes to helpline services to encourage people to go online first have been trialled over the last year and are being rolled out to become a permanent feature of the way HMRC supports customers from 8 April 2024. The changes are:
  • between April and September, the Self Assessment helpline will be closed and customers will be directed to self-serve through HMRC’s highly-rated online services
  • between October and March the Self Assessment helpline will be open to deal with priority queries – customers with queries that can be quickly and easily resolved online will be directed to HMRC’s online services
  • the VAT helpline will be open for five days every month ahead of the deadline for filing VAT returns – outside of this time, customers will be directed to use HMRC’s online services
  • the PAYE helpline will no longer take calls from customers relating to refunds – customers will be directed to use HMRC’s online services
  • HMRC advisers will continue to always be available during normal office opening hours to support customers who cannot use online services or who have health or personal circumstances that mean they need extra support
  • all other helplines will continue to operate as they do currently
HMRC says the move to online self-service for Self Assessment and VAT is a vital element of its modernisation of the tax system. Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Exec, said: “Online services have transformed our lives and often provide a better service for managing tax – they’re quicker, easier and always available. “Changing our services to encourage customers to self-serve online wherever possible will allow our helpline advisers to focus support where it is most needed – helping those with complex tax queries and those who are vulnerable and need extra support.

“We must maximise every pound of taxpayers‘ money. Embracing online self-service allows us to help more customers and improve our customer service levels without spending additional public money.”

Northern Trains to advertise 300 jobs in the coming months

Stuart Pearcey
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Northern Trains to advertise 300 jobs in the coming months

Northern Trains is looking to recruit more than 300 inexperienced drivers and conductors across the North of England this year including in Hull, Leeds, York, and Sheffield.

The train operator says the roles are part of a normal, on-going process to recruit as and when existing staff members retire, earn promotions or join another company.

It is looking to hire 108 train drivers and 198 conductors, and actively encouraging people with no rail industry experience to apply.

New recruits will have to complete paid apprenticeships at one of Northern’s training academies in Leeds or Manchester.

The train driver roles, which will be advertised in the coming months come with a starting salary of £23,000 a year rising to £54,500 after the recruits complete a 64-week training course.

The conductor roles set to be advertised in Barrow-in-Furness, Blackburn, Blackpool, Buxton, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle Skipton, Workington and York come with salaries starting of £22,000, rising to £29,000 once they complete a 16-week training course.

A small number of roles open to qualified drivers will also be available in Darlington, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.

Tricia Williams, COO at Northern, said: “We have a range of rewarding roles for anyone who wants to become part of a dedicated team that runs more than 2,500 services a day to over 500 destinations.

“We are looking for customer-focused people with excellent communication skills who thrive in a dynamic environment and may not have considered a career in rail before. Successful applicants will demonstrate a high level of responsibility, a strong work ethic and a commitment to maintaining safety standards.”

Helen promoted to estate agency’s sales manager role in her home town

Stuart Pearcey
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Helen promoted to estate agency’s sales manager role in her home town
Otley-born Helen Jackson’s been promoted to sales manager at the town’s Bondgate office of Dacre, Son & Hartley. Helen joined the company as a sales negotiator three years ago and brought more than a decade’s worth of property experience to the role, having worked for several other estate agents in the Wharfe Valley. She said: “As an independent and longstanding Yorkshire based business, we have an unrivalled reputation in Otley and always recognise that every property buyer and seller is unique, with their own individual requirements, which is key to our success. “We’re also fortunate to work in a vibrant and very popular town with a thriving property market. In recent years we’ve seen an influx of buyers from outside the area, including several buyers relocating from the south of England, and few people move out of Otley once they’re here! “The market is gaining momentum as we head into spring and we’re currently preparing to launch a variety of properties, across all price bands, in the coming weeks. Ultimately well-presented properties that are accurately priced will sell and that’s where an estate agent with strong local knowledge will really add value.” Director Tim Usherwood, who heads up Dacres’ Otley office, said: “Helen has lived in Otley her whole life and knows the area inside out. This knowledge combined with her ability to always go the extra mile for clients, makes her a very good estate agent and she thoroughly deserves this promotion.”  

Kirkstall Brewery to make The Tetley a hub for great beer

Tess Egginton
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Kirkstall Brewery to make The Tetley a hub for great beer
Kirkstall Brewery is taking on the lease of The Tetley, with plans to make it a hub for great beer from Leeds and renew its status as a “landmark of Yorkshire beer culture.” The Tetley building is the former brewing headquarters of Tetley’s Brewery, built in the Art Deco style in 1931. In the 1980s, Tetley’s Brewery became the largest producer of cask ale in the world, and the site has remained an icon of Leeds beer history, even after its closure in 2011. The building, which now sits at the heart of Leeds’ newest mixed-use district, Aire Park, then operated as a contemporary art gallery from 2013 until 2023, when its lease ended. From May, Kirkstall will be operating The Tetley as a showcase of the very best of brewing in Leeds. It will feature beers from other breweries in the area, alongside brands from Kirkstall Brewery, Leeds Brewery and Holt’s most recent acquisition, North. Kirkstall also plans to host a number of events at the historic building. “It’s a tremendous privilege to bring Leeds’ most iconic brewery building into the Kirkstall fold,” said Steve Holt, Kirkstall Brewery’s owner and founder. “As a brewery that pays a great deal of respect to the history of brewing in the city, we believe we are the ideal custodians for the next chapter of this legendary building.” Michael Cronin, Head of Portfolio at Vastint UK, the developer behind Aire Park and owners of The Tetley building, said: “Last year we outlined our ambitions to safeguard this iconic building for the next 100 years and have now submitted our plans to the council. “Since we became custodians of the building, it was always our intention to keep it open until the restoration work got underway to bring this fantastic building up to 21st century standards. “So, we’re thrilled to be welcoming Kirkstall Brewery to Aire Park and to be bringing one of the current generations of Leeds and Yorkshire breweries to a site which has played such a pivotal role in the history of beer making in the region. “The Tetley will form the centre piece of Aire Park, alongside the eight-acre public park and this collaboration will hopefully give the people of Leeds a small taster of what’s to come in the very near future.” Holt added: “It really is the crown jewel of brewing history in Leeds, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to make it a landmark of Yorkshire beer culture once again.” The Tetley is expected to reopen under Kirkstall’s management in May.

Government steps in with tighter regulation of the business of running football’s elite clubs

Stuart Pearcey
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Government steps in with tighter regulation of the business of running football’s elite clubs
Historic legislation to reform the the way men’s elite football is governed in England has been introduced in Parliament. The Football Governance Bill will see the introduction of an ‘Independent Football Regulator’ to be enshrined in law that will give fans a greater voice in the running of their clubs; promotion of financial sustainability, with the ability to fine clubs up to 10% of turnover for non-compliance; blocking of breakaway closed-shop competitions such as the European Super League; and strengthened owners’ and directors’ tests with powers to impose a ‘new deal’ on financial distributions The Bill is said to come at a critical juncture for English football, following the attempted breakaway European Super League, and a series of high profile cases of clubs being financially mismanaged or collapsing entirely. The legislation establishes a new ‘Independent Football Regulator’ as a standalone body – independent of both Government and the football authorities. It will be equipped with robust powers revolving around improving clubs’ financial sustainability, ensuring financial resilience across the leagues, and safeguarding the heritage of English football. Owners and directors will face stronger tests to stop clubs falling into the wrong hands, and face the possibility of being removed and struck off from owning football clubs if they are found to be unsuitable. The Bill also includes new backstop powers around financial distributions between the Premier League, the English Football League and National League. These powers mean that if the leagues fail to agree on a new deal on financial distributions, then the backstop can be triggered to ensure a settlement is reached. For the first time, clubs from the National League all the way to the Premier League will be licensed to compete in men’s elite football competitions in England. The proposed licensing regime will be proportionate to any problems, size and circumstances and involve a system of provisional and full licences, to give clubs time to transition. It follows a number of issues in recent years including financial mismanagement, breakaway plans for the European Super League, and changes to club names, badges and colours against the wishes of fans. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said: “Football is nothing without its fans. We are determined to put them back at the heart of the game, and ensure clubs as vital community assets continue to thrive.

“The new Independent Regulator of Football will set the game on a sustainable footing, strengthening clubs and the entire football pyramid for generations.”

Chief Executive of the Football Supporters Association Kevin Miles said: “The FSA warmly welcomes the tabling of the Football Governance Bill arising from the 2021 Fan Led Review, and particularly its central proposal to introduce statutory independent regulation of the game.

“The regulator provides a means to intervene and stop clubs being run into the ground, protect the heritage of clubs, give supporters a much bigger voice in the running of the game, and prevent any chance of domestic clubs joining a breakaway European Super League.

“The regulator must be given the power to impose a financial settlement in the interests of the sustainability of the game as a whole. It is far too important to be left to the squabbling between the vested interests of the richest club owners.”

The Sheffield College extends footprint at Pennine Five

Tess Egginton
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The Sheffield College extends footprint at Pennine Five
The Sheffield College has extended its footprint at Pennine Five, adding another 3,692 sq ft to its current agreement to accommodate its growing education and training provision for adult learners. The latest addition means that the college, which educates and trains around 13,000 young people and adults a year across all of its campuses, now occupies six floors at Pennine Five – totalling over 22,000 sq ft of space. Pennine Five is home to the college’s adult learning centre, which provides courses including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), maths, digital and employability courses. Andrew Hartley, Deputy Chief Executive at The Sheffield College, said: “Pennine 5 offers high quality modern teaching facilities which enhance students’ learning experience and inspire them to progress and go further in their education and careers. “We have built a strong community at Pennine Five and are pleased to extend our facilities there in partnership with RBH Properties. We also look forward to the plaza opening, which will provide an additional attractive outdoor space for our staff and students.” Jeremy Hughes, Director at RBH Properties, said: “We are delighted that The Sheffield College has extended its footprint at Pennine Five. It is a clear reflection that Pennine Five is working well for them. “This announcement represents a strong period for us. Interest and enquiries are high currently and we still have plenty of space available to add to our growing portfolio of tenants. “We have created a modern, attractive business campus that includes EV charging points, outdoor event space, natural light and flexible leasing options. I can’t wait to see the site thriving once all the works are finished and the campus is full.” The Sheffield College is one of a number of tenants to have moved into Pennine Five over the last two years, including serviced office operator, Spaces (part of the IWG group), Aztec Construction and First Intuition. Looking further into 2024, Pennine Five’s £1.5 million outdoor central plaza is nearing completion and will be opening in the coming weeks.

Keyland appoints land & planning manager

Tess Egginton
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Keyland appoints land & planning manager

Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has appointed Mike Powell as land & planning manager to further strengthen its Land and Planning Team.

Mike joins from Peacock and Smith where he was a senior associate.

Mike joins the team with a focus on further growing Keyland’s successful Planning Promotional Agreements (PPA) initiative, which is designed to enable private landowners to maximise the development potential from their land risk free.

Additionally, Mike will be working to unlock public sector opportunities via the company’s role as the only land broker on Land Solve 2, the forward-thinking public sector land delivery framework.

Mike brings a wealth of strategic expertise from both the private and public sectors, having started his career in local government in Northumberland, before moving to private practice in Yorkshire with roles across local and national planning consultancies. Prior to Peacock and Smith, Mike worked as senior planner at Hallam Land Management Ltd.

Luke Axe, land & planning director, Keyland Developments Ltd, said: “We are delighted to bring Mike into the Keyland team at an exciting time for the business.

“Mike’s extensive experience in the industry, and in particular his strong track record of strategic land promotion, adds even greater depth to our Land & Planning Team at a time when we are rapidly growing our PPA offer, as well as seeking to unlock public sector opportunities.”

Mike Powell said: “I am looking forward to supporting Keyland’s growth as a leading land promoter for both private and public sector clients. I am excited to use my skills and experience to help Keyland deliver its innovative Six Capitals approach to land promotion on some of the largest and most complex commercial and residential opportunities across the region.”

Yorkshire and the Humber achieves lowest level of insolvency-related activity in England in February

Tess Egginton
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0
Yorkshire and the Humber achieves lowest level of insolvency-related activity in England in February

Yorkshire and the Humber put in a stalwart performance in February recording the lowest level of insolvency-related activity of all the English regions since the previous month according to the latest research from the UK’s insolvency and restructuring trade body, R3.

Last month, insolvency-related activity affected 263 businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber, up from 236 in January. This 11.4% rise was the second lowest seen across all 12 nations and regions, with only Scotland outperforming the region with a 7.5% month-on-month rise.

The research from R3, which is based on an analysis of data provided by CreditSafe, also showed that the South West with a 15.7% increase in this type of activity (which includes liquidator and administrator appointments and creditors’ meetings) and the North East (up by 19.4%) performed relatively strongly in February compared with the previous month.

Looking at month-on-month changes to the number of start-ups, another indicator of economic health, the picture in Yorkshire and the Humber was less encouraging with the region seeing no increase in the level of new businesses since January.

In February, there were 5,386 new businesses in the region compared with 5,405 the previous month. However, only Scotland put in a stronger performance (up by 5.6%).

“With the news last month that the UK economy had technically slipped into recession in the last quarter of 2023, potentially just months ahead of a general election, there are very real worries that we will only see sluggish growth at best this year,” explains Eleanor Temple, chair of R3 in Yorkshire and a barrister at Kings Chambers in Leeds.

“A number of factors, such as the curb in consumer spending and the doctors’ strikes, are continuing to act as a drug on growth, and so prospects are far from rosy.

“In this difficult climate it is positive to see our region performing relatively well last month with levels of insolvency-related activity here among the lowest across the UK compared with January. However, the low levels of start-ups in February across the majority of regions and nations is a cause for concern, again revealing poor business confidence.

“While some commentators are claiming that the economy has now ‘turned the corner’, with an imminent interest rate cut unlikely, there may well still be tough times ahead for many businesses. As ever, it’s vital that directors keep a sharp eye on their finances and seek professional advice as early as possible to avoid problems from spiralling out of control.”

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