Employment Bill will wreak havoc on already fragile economy, says FSB
Small firms are tightening their belts on jobs, with potential changes that will expand the grounds for unfair dismissal and higher sick pay costs at the top of their list of worries, research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows.
New data shows that in the last quarter of 2024, 33 per cent of small employers said they expect to reduce staff, up from 17 per cent in the previous quarter.
Fewer businesses are also looking to hire – with only 10 per cent of small employers planning to take on more staff, down 14 per cent from the previous quarter. Meanwhile, 56 per cent expect to keep their workforce the same.
Elsewhere, 51 per cent of small employers say labour costs are one of the greatest barriers to growing their business.
The upcoming Employment Rights Bill is also causing dread among the small business community, and in response to a separate FSB survey last year, 75 per cent of small employers highlighted fears relating to unfair dismissal changes, while 74 per cent raised concerns about changes to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
In fact, two thirds (67%) of small employers say the proposals in the Employment Rights Bill would make them curb hiring and one third (32%) plan to reduce the number of employees they have before the measures are introduced.
Tina McKenzie, FSB’s Policy Chair, said: “The figures speak for themselves – plans to allow employees to sue their employers on their first day on the job will wreak havoc on our already fragile economy, while changes to Statutory Sick Pay will make employers think twice about their hiring plans.
“Of course, existing protections against unfair dismissal for protected characteristics from day one are essential and should remain. But extending these rights to any and all cases from day one risks opening the door to frivolous claims.
“Ministers should recognise the risk to jobs and resist any approach that comes across as out of touch with business reality, instead of brushing off their concerns.
“The Prime Minister should ditch these reckless changes to unfair dismissal and reinstate the one-year qualification period that worked under the last Labour Government. It’s a zero-cost fix that would show he understands what it takes to create and sustain jobs.
“If taking on staff becomes a legal minefield, businesses will simply stop. That means more people on benefits, a ballooning welfare bill, and a devastating hit to living standards. Those who will be shut out of work because of this Bill deserve better from the Government.”
Thousands express support for West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit network plans
Thousands of people, business and education leaders have expressed their support for West Yorkshire’s plans for a region-wide Mass Transit network.
It comes as West Yorkshire Combined Authority releases a consultation report showing more than two thirds of people surveyed across the region are supportive of plans to create a tram system initially covering Bradford and Leeds.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin added that support from the University of Bradford and the White Rose, shows West Yorkshire is ready and waiting for Mass Transit.
The feedback will help the Combined Authority select its preferred scheme later this year, before consulting on a detailed version of the preferred route in early 2026.
This feedback is important to ensure the final plans meet the needs of the communities and businesses near the routes, and it will help add more details to the development plans for Phase One.
The route options consultation for phase one of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit scheme took place during summer and autumn 2024, and saw 4,845 individuals and organisations have their say on plans for the region’s biggest proposed infrastructure project in decades.
A report now shows more than two thirds of people surveyed in West Yorkshire supported the plans for a line between Leeds and Bradford, while more than three quarters supporting a line from St James’s Hospital to the White Rose.
Respondents said improving connections with residential areas, reducing traffic congestion and providing quick journey times were the most important outcomes for a mass transit network in the region.
The consultation presented a number of possible route options for each section of the early Mass Transit network, labelled phase one.
In addition to thousands of members of the public, the plans also received support from regional leaders in the worlds of commerce and education.
University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon said: “We wholeheartedly support plans for a clean, quick, reliable mass transit system, particularly one that connects Leeds and Bradford.
“Such a scheme will benefit students, workers, businesses and residents. It will help reduce carbon emissions and congestions, it will kickstart growth and entrepreneurialism and ultimately boost local, regional and national economies.”
Steve Foster, Landsec’s Centre Director for White Rose and Trinity Leeds shopping centres, said: “Leeds has always been a city of industry and innovation and deserves a modern transport network to match its ambition. Today is an important step forward for improving connections between north and south Leeds, as well as the rest of West Yorkshire.
“Investment in modern, sustainable transport infrastructure will not only boost economic growth, especially if it links the city centre to the wider region and hubs like White Rose, but also extends access to opportunity for people across the region.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “The public has emphatically told us: ‘we want mass transit!’
“This is our region’s biggest infrastructure project in decades and will help us deliver on the growth mission to put more money in people’s pockets.
“It is time to deliver a tram for the people of West Yorkshire and get spades in the ground by 2028.”
The report comes hot on the heels of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s recent growth speech, during which she spoke of government’s commitment to support the West Yorkshire Mass Transit scheme.
While no decisions on routes have yet been taken, the route between St James’s Hospital and Leeds city centre supported most by respondents (L1) would run via the First Direct Arena, Leeds Beckett University, Millennium Square, East Parade and Infirmary Street, before heading past City Square and Leeds Rail Station towards Victoria Bridge. This was closely followed by the L2 line, running via East Parade and Park Row.
The consultees most supported south Leeds route (L6) would run via Holbeck, Elland Road Stadium and Beeston Ring Road before finishing at the White Rose. This was followed by L7, which would run via Gelderd Road, Lowfield Road, Elland Road Stadium and Old Lane.
A similar level of support was given to all three Bradford Line options, including line B1 (running from Leeds city centre via Armley, Stanningley, Thornbury and Laisterdyke before arriving in Bradford city centre), B2 (via Laisterdyke and Wortley), and B3 (via Laisterdyke and Armley).
While routes are yet to be selected, the findings from the consultation will be considered alongside several other factors including the findings on environmental surveys, further engagement with stakeholders and feasibility analysis to inform the preferred scheme decision later this year. A further consultation on a detailed version of the proposed route will take place in early 2026.
Wakefield’s CCL Facades to deliver curtain walling for £14M college project
Wakefield-based CCL Facades has won a £380,000 contract to design, supply, and install the curtain walling facade at Pudsey Sixth Form College. The project, led by main contractor Caddick Construction, includes thermally broken aluminium windows, specialist curtain walling, and manual and automated doors.
The contract is part of Luminate Education Group’s £14 million development. The college will accommodate over 600 students aged 16 to 18 and is scheduled for completion ahead of the 2025/26 academic year.
CCL Facades, a subsidiary of Caddick Construction Group, specialises in public sector projects across Yorkshire. The firm will collaborate closely with Caddick to ensure timely delivery.
Doncaster developer builds homes and construction careers in Wigan
A ongoing partnership with Wigan Council has helped Doncaster developer Keepmoat to create almost 170 new homes with housing association Jigsaw Homes, and trained almost 20 people in a relevant trade role.
The company is helping transform acres of brownfield land, supporting thousands of young people, and has invested more than £9,000 in community donations supporting social value activities.
Most recently, it invested £23.4m to transform an abandoned brownfield site in Worsley Mesnes to create 169 new homes to form ‘The Seasons’. During the project, the team facilitated 23 weeks of work experience placements resulting in full time employment.
The company also helped to create 11 apprenticeships and delivered construction career events and talks to over a thousand young people, offering advice and guidance helping them choose their next steps.
Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare at Wigan Council, said: “Keepmoat has been incredible in how they have worked with and for the community during this build which I am delighted about, as supporting communities and creating opportunities is a key priority for the Council.
“As Keepmoat are working in partnership with us to build much-needed homes in our borough, they have also created opportunities for local people; providing work experience and apprenticeships, attending careers fairs and much more. I’d like to recognise their commitment to the people living in Worsley Mesnes in changing the landscape, and by strengthening the community, it has been a real pleasure working with them and I can’t wait to see what they do next.”
Communications firm says Harrogate is a bullseye location for its development
JBP Communications, which recently joined the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, has launched a new base in Harrogate to support its growing operations across Yorkshire and the North.
The Harrogate office will form part of a wider network which includes bases in Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Westminster, Manchester, Nottingham, and Warwick.
MD Chris Lawrance said: “Harrogate is a bullseye location for us as we expand our footprint across Yorkshire and the North, where we are already working with a growing and diverse range of clients.
“Linking seamlessly to our central office in the heart of Westminster, JBP’s Harrogate base will also offer clients an inside track into our parliamentary and public affairs specialism.
“Yorkshire and the North is an increasingly important heartland for us, and our new office heralds an exciting start to our fortieth anniversary year, as we explore further opportunities to expand at pace and at scale through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.”
The Harrogate operations will be led by a team including two PR consultants from the town – Richard Chew, whose 30-year career has been dedicated to healthcare communications and crisis management, and Jane Burgess, a specialist in the energy and planning sectors.
Council launches food waste collection scheme to help businesses meet new legislation
A commercial food waste collection service is being offered to businesses across the district by West Lindsey District Council.
The service, which aims to support businesses in meeting new government regulations on recycling food waste, is being offered from 31 March, when the new statutory requirements come into effect.
The new regulations, which apply to all businesses regardless of their food waste volume, is a significant step towards promoting sustainability, as well as reducing C02 emissions caused by waste sent for energy recovery.
Small businesses with fewer than 10 full-time employees are temporarily exempt until March 2027.
Businesses that sign up for the council’s new food waste collection service, will benefit from reliable and eco-friendly collection and recycling of food waste by the council’s award-winning service.
Businesses will be provided with 140 litre wheeled bins for the collection, which are small enough to be used inside kitchens or dining rooms, but can also be wheeled outside for collection.
The council will also issue businesses signed up to the service with a Waste Transfer Note, to show they are legally compliant with the new regulations.
The new regulations don’t just apply to food waste, they will also require businesses to separate other recyclable materials including glass, metal, plastic, cardboard, and paper – West Lindsey can also provide these recycling collections for you using a variety of bin sizes to suit your needs.
Chairman of the Environment and Sustainability Group Stephen Bunny, said: “By introducing this service, West Lindsey District Council reaffirms its commitment to improving sustainable waste management and practices and supporting local businesses in their efforts to reduce environmental impact.
“By participating in this programme, businesses can ensure compliance with the new regulations while contributing to a greener future.”
Food waste that can be collected includes:
- Vegetable and fruit peelings
- Uneaten food and plate scrapings
- Out-of-date or mouldy food
- Raw and cooked meat and fish, including bones
- Tea bags and coffee grounds
- Dairy products, such as eggs and eggshells
- Oil/liquid fat and milk
Bridlington firm boosts its apprentice sponsorship scheme
Bridlington business Hudson Contract is beefing up its support for construction industry apprenticeships with more places and more sponsorship through its Hudson Foundation.
The enhanced package includes increasing the number of sponsorships from 30 to 40 each year, raising sponsorship from £2,600 to 3,000 per apprentice, and introducing a £500 completion bonus split between apprentices and employers.
Launched last year, the foundation unites Hudson Contract’s efforts to create opportunities for young people to acquire skills, develop self-confidence and get a good start in life. Additionally, the foundation supports families in need and provides a voice for self-employment in construction.
Latest government figures show national construction apprenticeship starts fell by 1.2 per cent year on year while drop-out rates have reached 47 per cent, illustrating the skills challenge facing the sector.
The scheme has already helped 278 young people enter an industry where highly skilled tradespeople can earn more than £1,000 per week.
David Jackson, founder and chairman of Hudson Contract, said investing in skills is vital at a time when businesses face rising costs: “That’s why we provide a straightforward scheme of financial support, and supply companies with advice on how to navigate the bureaucracy of national apprenticeship schemes. Coastal communities face unique challenges so we are trying to bridge that gap with our scheme.”
Bridlington businessman Tom Hart, who started his career as an apprentice bricklayer and now runs Springvale Homes, has seen the benefits of the scheme first-hand. He said: “It takes away the financial burden and gives local businesses the chance to bring on an apprentice,” he said. “Sam Emmerson joined us through the scheme at 16. He’s now 22, fully qualified and a real asset to the company, working alongside his dad who has been with us for ten years.”
HMRC seizes 15,000 imported items to protect honest businesses
HMRC has seized nearly 15,000 imported items from delivery warehouses across the UK in a bid to tackle customs fraud and help level the playing field for honest businesses.
The items were removed from 25 sites during a three-day operation targeting counterfeit, misdescribed or undervalued goods. They were due to be sold to UK customers.
The blitz is part of an ongoing operation to identify suspected fraud by multiple overseas and UK businesses. It targets those undercutting law abiding firms by evading the customs duty due on imported stock.
HMRC has already made 26 similar seizures from various warehouses in the last nine months, which has included E-Bikes, robot vacuum cleaners, 3D printers and air humidifiers.
Marc Gill, Director, Individuals & Small Business Compliance at HMRC, said: “We’re determined to create a level playing field to allow honest businesses to thrive and will take robust action to make sure that everyone pays the correct duty due for importing goods into the UK.
“We will not tolerate abuse of the customs regime and these seizures show that our checks can and do stretch beyond the border.
“I hope it sends a clear message to any business that thinks it can import counterfeit, misdescribed or undervalued goods that we can and do work with registered fulfilment businesses to identify and seize items inland.”
Any company that stores and delivers items owned by an overseas business that have been imported prior to sale must be approved by HMRC under the Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme (FHDDS). More than 600 businesses are registered under the scheme with HMRC. The latest seizure was planned with support from those holding the stock, but the items were not owned by them.
Canadian engineering company secures premises in Slaithwaite
Canadian-owned process engineering and consulting firm GMP Engineering has secured new offices for its European HQ at The Globe in Slaithwaite in West Yorkshire.
The acquisition is intended to be a supply chain bridge, for now predominantly to serve a $1.3 billion cancer treatment project in north American and to develop further ties to Europe.
With its global headquarters in Toronto and further premises in New Jersey, USA, GMP Engineering selected the UK as a prime location to support its Europewide growth plans. It currently has an expert team of four with plans to become a self-sustaining entity with a team of around 15 over the next five years.
Michael Mellor, the Director leading the UK office at GMP said: “With an existing clientele of medical and life sciences related practices in the building we’ve moved into, we are in good company, but the location and connectivity aspect were most appealing. Proximity to the M62 corridor, by rail or road, gives us good access to most of our network of vendors in Leeds, Bolton and Liverpool and throughout the UK
“Of course, the Mill building itself is impressive, providing a light and airy, state of the art workspace of historical importance in the ‘up and coming’ village of Slaithwaite is really great for the wellbeing of our team.
“We are excited to represent GMP Engineering and our containment subject matter expertise to the UK and Europewide market for this pharmaceutical industry.”
The Globe is a landmark site in the village of Slaithwaite which is a fast-emerging location for medical enterprise in Kirklees. Hartley Property Trust Ltd, in partnership with Kirklees Council has invested more than £ 6.5 million to repurpose the first of two significant mill buildings to provide 80,000 sq ft of innovation space. All five floors have now been transformed to provide a state-of-the-art innovation centre, laboratory space, medical suites, offices and retail space as well as an atmospheric Artisan Hall.
GMP Engineering establishes European HQ in UK mill redevelopment
Canadian process engineering firm GMP Engineering has opened its European headquarters at The Globe in Slaithwaite, UK. The 1,000 sq ft office will support the company’s expansion in Europe and its role in a $1.3 billion cancer treatment project in North America.
With its global headquarters in Toronto and a U.S. office in New Jersey, GMP Engineering chose the UK for its strategic location and market access. The company’s UK team currently has four employees, with plans to grow to 15 over the next five years.
The Globe, a repurposed mill transformed into an innovation hub, has received over £6.5 million in investment from Hartley Property Trust Ltd and Kirklees Council. The facility offers laboratory space, medical suites, offices, and retail areas.
GMP Engineering’s UK director, Michael Mellor, cited The Globe’s connectivity and collaborative environment as key factors in selecting the location. Hartley Property Trust confirmed that much of the first building is now occupied, with redevelopment plans underway for a second building to expand parking and amenities.
