Barnsley & Rotherham Construction Forum brings together more than 300 businesses

Stuart Pearcey
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Barnsley & Rotherham Construction Forum brings together more than 300 businesses
A Construction ‘Meet the Buyer’ Expo arranged by Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber’s Construction Forum brought together about 320 businesses and key industry players for a morning of networking and service sharing. The event welcomed businesses from across the Barnsley and Rotherham region, providing an invaluable opportunity to connect with leading buyers and decision-makers in the construction sector. Attendees had the chance to engage directly with procurement teams, explore potential partnerships, and gain insights into upcoming projects in the industry. The expo featured a busy exhibition space, an interactive seminar from Henry Boot on the importance of establishing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion practices and policy in their operations, and a direct line with buyers representing a range of construction-related companies. Shane Young, Operations Director at Barnsley & Rotherham Chamber, said: “We were delighted with the turnout and the connections made between exhibitors and visitors alike. This event is all about creating opportunities, and once again, we’ve seen businesses come together to swap business cards, showcase their services and products and make those crucial connections that will help drive the local construction industry forward.”

UK inflation jumps

Tess Egginton
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UK inflation jumps
UK inflation jumped in January, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), inflation came in at 3% in the 12 months to January, up from 2.5% in December, and above expectations (2.8%). The largest upward contribution to the change came from transport, and food and non-alcoholic beverages; the largest downward contribution came from housing and household services. Core inflation, meanwhile, which takes out volatile factors like energy, food, alcohol and tobacco to give a clear picture of underlying trends, stood at 3.7% in the 12 months to January, increasing from 3.2% in December and in line with expectations.
Martin Sartorius, Principal Economist, CBI, said: “The stronger-than-expected rise in inflation in January highlights the challenges facing the Monetary Policy Committee as they seek to rein in persistent price pressures. Higher energy prices, strong wage growth, and the impact of Autumn Budget measures are likely to keep inflation above target this year. “While we still expect a gradual, quarterly pace of rate cuts throughout 2025, this inflation surprise raises the possibility that the MPC might tread even more carefully as it looks to reduce borrowing costs.”

Council continues campaign against rogue tobacco traders

Stuart Pearcey
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Council continues campaign against rogue tobacco traders

New figures reveal more than 670,000 illicit cigarettes were removed from Lincolnshire’s streets last year, as the council steps up its war on rogue traders who put residents’ health at risk.

It’s a 150 per cent increase compared to the year before says the report, which shows shows 17,000 illegal vapes were seized, along with 370kg of hand rolling tobacco, and 68 shops selling the counterfeit products were served closure orders last year. The huge leap in shop closures and seizure of goods is said to be the result of effective joint working and intelligence sharing between Lincolnshire County Council Trading Standards officers, Lincolnshire Police and other partners. The report coincides with the launch of Operation Nivada, a public awareness campaign showing the fight against illegal tobacco and an underworld of associated criminal activity. Cllr Daniel McNally, executive member for Trading Standards at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Trading Standards officers and partners protect residents by removing these illegal products and lead the charge against the selfish rogue traders who peddle them. “Make no mistake – these items are unsafe. Not only can they contain harmful, unregulated substances that damage health, they have also caused fatal house fires in Lincolnshire, and threaten the livelihoods of legitimate, hard-working small business owners. “There is absolutely no place for these illicit products on Lincolnshire’s streets. The criminals have been put on notice, we will continue to clamp down hard on the unscrupulous individuals who sell them.” The council’s Trading Standards team deploys a variety of measures against the rogue traders. Staff conduct regular test purchasing and inspections, work with landlords to remove tenants, secure closure orders on premises and bring criminal cases before the courts.

Payroll company boss warns against ‘dodgy companies’ after seven are jailed for fraud

Stuart Pearcey
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Payroll company boss warns against ‘dodgy companies’ after seven are jailed for fraud
Payroll company boss Ian Anfield is warning against working with what he calls ‘dodgy payroll companies’ after seven people have been jailed in a £22m tax fraud. Mr Anfied, of Bridlington-based Hudson Contract, said: “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the owners of construction firms hauled off to jail alongside the dodgy payroll companies they used – and it won’t be the last. HMRC has new legal powers and extra resources so time is running out for fraudsters and those who profit from using them. “Any CIS payroll firm or so-called ‘commercial contractor’ that offers cash backs, volume rebates, free credit, free insurance or fees that seem too good to be true should be given a wide berth. “It is easy to see why firms are attracted, especially when the use of commercial contractors is so prolific, but ignorance is no defence. Those who have fallen into the trap need to get out – while they still can.” His warning comes after seven individuals connected to payroll firms and a construction company have been imprisoned. Daniel Newton, Philip Bailey, Sean Dean, Lee Hudson (no relation), Sarah Gillard, Bradley Mortimer, and Kevin Ratcliffe were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court for cheating the public revenue, money laundering-related offences, acquiring criminal property, and organised criminal gang activities. The individuals were involved in setting up commercial contractor payroll firms that would pay individual construction operatives for construction companies. The payroll firms would charge customers gross plus VAT and then pay the individuals net of CIS deductions. The VAT collected from the clients, and CIS deducted from the individuals – amounting to 40 per cent of anything paid – was supposed to be paid to HMRC. However, instead, the unpaid contributions were diverted to the bank accounts of the defendants, who were beneficiaries of these fraudulent actions. Most of those convicted actually ran the payroll fraud, but a client who ran a construction firm also went down because he was aware of the fraud and profited from it. Ian Hackett, operational lead at HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said: “We have worked closely with Kent Police to dismantle this sophisticated and complex fraud. The tenacity and expertise of the investigators involved in this joint investigation has protected millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money, which is needed to fund our public services. “We encourage anyone with information about any type of tax fraud to report it to HMRC.”

Wakefield Council loses appeal over landfill site

April Lara
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Wakefield Council loses appeal over landfill site

Wakefield Council has lost its legal battle to stop waste tipping at Welbeck Landfill Site, following a five-day public inquiry. The Planning Inspectorate ruled in favour of site operators Welbeck Waste Management Ltd (WWML), allowing operations to continue until 2025.

WWML appealed after the council rejected its application in November 2023 to extend tipping for two more years. The company argued that reduced landfill volumes had delayed the site’s completion. The council cited concerns over the impact on residents and biodiversity.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, funded by the BBC, planning inspector Jason Whitfield found that extending operations would not harm the environment or local residents. He stated that further filling was necessary to prevent long-term pollution risks.

Wakefield Council has also been ordered to cover WWML’s legal costs, after the inspector ruled the council had acted unreasonably. A financial report from September 2023 estimated the council’s own legal expenses at £200,000.

Forgemasters unveils future plans at Electric Steelmakers Guild meeting

April Lara
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Forgemasters unveils future plans at Electric Steelmakers Guild meeting

At a recent gathering of the Electric Steelmakers Guild in Sheffield, key industry figures discussed the future of steelmaking in the UK. Major steel producers, including Forgemasters, TATA Steel, and British Steel, were represented at the meeting, highlighting a forward-looking update from Forgemasters.

Gareth Barker, Chief Operating Officer, and Aleck Knight, Head of Operations, shared their plans for the Sheffield site, emphasising long-term investments that will ensure the facility’s future sustainability. These efforts are crucial for the local economy and the broader UK defense strategy.

Carl Brown, Guild Vice President, and incoming President expressed enthusiasm about Forgemasters’ investments, particularly in equipment and workforce development. He pointed out that the company’s commitment is vital for the Sheffield area and the national steel industry.

The Guild’s 2025/26 agenda will focus heavily on South Yorkshire and the North, with planned visits to British Steel’s Skinningrove Special Profiles and new electric arc furnace facilities, as well as to Danieli’s facility at the Advanced Manufacturing Park later in the year.

Government doesn’t care about farming families, says NFU

Stuart Pearcey
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Government doesn’t care about farming families, says NFU
Government ministers have angered farmers’ representatives by rejecting a compromise plan on reforms to inheritance tax proposals. NFU President Tom Bradshaw says the Government doesn’t care about the impact of their proposals on farming families can’t afford vast tax bills on the death of a loved one, or the elderly who feel they are now a burden on their family.
He said: “This morally bankrupt position sits with this government. Without change, ministers will reap the consequences.
“For the 70 million people living on these islands, food security matters. It matters more given the ever-increasing geopolitical uncertainty. “While this is shocking for me to say, the only conclusion I can come to is this government doesn’t care about British food production. Is this the same government which in its manifesto said food security is national security?” He said farmers didn’t get money when they inherited. He said they got the farm, the business asset, and often the debt. “Any money they do get, they get when they sell.”
He said it was nonsense to say the £500m the proposals would generate would rescue the NHS. “This amount will fund the NHS for a day. It’s disingenuous for ministers to repeat this untruth,” he said.
“Despite the Chancellor calling for alternatives, and today the UK food sector went collectively to share those, I am hugely disappointed there was no response from Treasury today, no acknowledgement that this could be done better. This is the same Treasury department which admits it has not yet carried out impact assessments on its current policy. “Let’s remember, this policy has now been challenged by farming unions and agriculture representatives from across the UK, it has been challenged by the independent Office of Budget Responsibility, by the Efra Select Committee, by tax advisers to the government, and recently the National Preparedness Committee has reminded us that UK food security is in a precarious state. “And every single major food retailer in the UK has also called for change. Why? Because they can see what this will do to the security of the supply of their products.”

Leeds supports local innovation with new grant funding

April Lara
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Leeds supports local innovation with new grant funding

Leeds City Council has confirmed funding for seven innovative projects designed to support the growth of small and emerging businesses in the city’s digital and tech sectors. As part of the Innovation@Leeds programme, these grants are aimed at fostering talent and providing key resources for entrepreneurs, particularly from diverse backgrounds, to succeed in industries like artificial intelligence, fintech, and green tech.

A competitive selection process saw 40 applications, with each of the successful projects awarded grants of up to £25,000. These initiatives will provide a mix of mentoring, workshops, and networking opportunities, helping participants acquire the skills and contacts necessary to thrive in the competitive world of innovation-led business.

Among the successful projects is GreenTech Gathering, a series of workshops that will help green technology businesses with topics such as investor readiness and brand strategy. FinTech North is also on board, offering mentorship and opportunities for future business leaders to develop their pitching skills. Buttercrumble’s The Brand Lab will also focus on helping tech businesses enhance their communication strategies, while Lifted Ventures’ Athena VC Elevate aims to guide founders toward rapid growth.

Other initiatives include Quick Labs, which will provide essential business support to early-stage start-ups, and the Global Innovators programme, which will help businesses explore their potential for international expansion. AI 360 Leeds will also offer resources for businesses looking to integrate AI into their strategies.

This round of funding is backed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, managed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Leeds City Council’s Deputy Leader, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, emphasized that these grants are more than just financial support; they’re a step toward creating long-term opportunities for growth and innovation in the city.

Yorkshire Kennels and Cattery business to be auctioned online

April Lara
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Yorkshire Kennels and Cattery business to be auctioned online

Stod Fold Farm Kennels and Cattery, a property situated on 1.5 acres in Yorkshire, will be featured in Mark Jenkinson’s online property auction on February 26, 2025. The kennels, with a guide price of £375,000, are licensed to accommodate up to 10 dogs and hold a two-star rating.

Along with the kennels, the property includes a bungalow that offers flexibility for business or residential use. It could serve as the business owner’s main residence or be converted into short-term rental accommodation. The location near Ogden Water Country Park offers a desirable setting for potential visitors, with local amenities, including pubs, schools, and restaurants.

This sale presents a unique opportunity for buyers seeking a combination of business and lifestyle. The property is expected to attract interest from both those in the animal care industry and investors looking for vacation rental potential. The auction will begin on February 25, with bidding closing the following day.

Doncaster named top investment hub for third year

April Lara
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Doncaster named top investment hub for third year

For the third consecutive year, Doncaster has secured its position as one of Europe’s top investment destinations, ranking among the top five Small European Cities in the fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future competition. The competition evaluates over 300 cities and 141 regions across Europe, assessing economic potential, business friendliness, connectivity, human capital, lifestyle, and cost-effectiveness.

Doncaster was recognised in the ‘fDi Strategy’ category, highlighting cities with strong investment promotion strategies. The city’s strong performance in infrastructure, workforce availability, and business-friendly environment contributed to its ranking. Notably, Doncaster was ranked first in the category in 2021.

The city’s appeal to investors is further supported by its membership in the UK’s first Investment Zone, which is set to benefit from a £1.2 billion funding boost. It has seen significant development, with multiple major projects across strategic sites. Local leaders emphasise the city’s connectivity, skilled labor force, and favorable investment conditions.

Doncaster’s business environment was also recently recognised by Simply Business, which ranked it the fifth best city in the UK to start a business. These accolades strengthen Doncaster’s position as a prime location for established companies and startups.

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