Recruitment headache continues for small firms
New figures released by the British Chambers of Commerce reveal firms’ recruitment struggles remain at record high levels. The data for the leading business group’s Quarterly Recruitment Outlook for Q2 2022 was drawn from a survey of over 5,700 businesses.
Attempted recruitment in Q2 remained broadly the same as the previous quarter, with 61% of firms looking to find staff (60% in Q1 2022). But more than three quarters of firms (76%) continue to report recruitment difficulties, dropping just two percentage points from Q1 (78%).
The construction sector is facing the most severe recruitment challenges, with 83% reporting difficulties. This is closely followed by production and manufacturing on 79%, logistics on 79% and hospitality on 78%.
In the face of rising business costs, less than a third of employers (28%) have increased their investment in the last three months. Smaller firms are even less likely to report an increase, at just 19%.
Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, Jane Gratton, said: “Businesses remain under huge pressure to fill jobs, but record levels of recruitment difficulty are showing no signs of improvement. Solutions are urgently needed, so that firms can keep their doors open throughout these tough times.
“We have written to the Government outlining a three-point plan on how they can work with businesses to solve this:
• Firms must be encouraged to find new ways of unlocking pools of talent – by investing more in training their workforce, adopting more flexible working practises and expanding use of apprenticeships;
• Government must help employers invest in training by reducing the upfront costs on business and providing training related tax breaks; and
• The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) must be reformed to allow sectors facing urgent demand for skills to get what they need.
“The SOL is not currently fit for purpose and should be more flexible, so it supports firms experiencing a national recruitment crisis. Recruitment difficulties have been at record highs for a year.
“There are 1.3 million unfilled jobs in our economy and now fewer people in the workforce than before the pandemic. This is holding back productivity and growth, and employers are at their wits’ end. It is putting livelihoods at risk and damaging the economy. The Government must reform the SOL criteria to include more jobs at more skill levels to give firms breathing space to invest in their workforce.
“Employers cannot wait for a new Prime Minister before this is sorted. Shortages are impacting not only on their ability to service order books but also on the morale and wellbeing of their people. The economic challenge we are facing is huge and unless we start to fill the hole caused by 1.3 million vacancies, we cannot get back to growth.”
Clarion celebrates ongoing partnership with Leeds school
Clarion is celebrating a successful first year of partnership with Dixons Trinity Chapeltown school in Leeds. Working with Ahead Partnership, the successful law firm has delivered a bespoke programme of activities over the last nine months designed to help enable students to fulfil their potential, as part of the business’ ongoing commitment to making a positive contribution to local communities and championing diversity and inclusion.
Currently with around 700 pupils aged between four and 16, Trinity Chapeltown offers a curriculum and approach designed specifically to serve the community of Chapeltown and Harehills. It has a culture with excellence at the core and is committed to creating a world-class school which will transform the lives of every child who attends by creating equality of opportunity. Established just five years ago, the school was judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in November 2021.
Emma Lowe, legal director at Clarion, who is leading the initiative, said: “As a firm, we’re keen to give back to local communities and wanted to build a long-term relationship with a school in Yorkshire where we felt our team could play a real role in inspiring and empowering pupils to achieve their potential. Clarion has been involved in various activities through Ahead Partnership since 2011 and we are now very much looking forward to focusing our efforts on supporting Dixons Trinity Chapeltown in particular into the future – a school that we feel has values aligned to our own.
“We’re working with Ahead Partnership and the school’s careers leader to create a bespoke activities programme that will have a meaningful impact on their students, with activities that will develop confidence and employability skills and in turn enable them to act upon their aspirations. Critically, our programme’s sole intention is not just to promote careers within the legal profession, but to help students unlock their potential, whatever that may be, and improve social mobility as a consequence. We want to build a long-lasting partnership with Dixon’s Trinity Chapeltown that will continue for many years to come, and hope that this work will help support and benefit the lives of many students as a result.”
Ash Jacobs, Vice Principal at Dixons Trinity Chapeltown, adds: “We’re thrilled to be working with Clarion whose culture fits so well with our own approach – we both believe that it’s about being values driven, having a clear vision, focusing relentlessly on results and building strong relationships at all levels. This partnership will give our pupils exposure to a wide range of careers, including those in professional services, increasing their understanding of the breadth of jobs and learning opportunities open to them.”
Already, the Leeds law firm has undertaken a number of activities from providing judges for a public speaking competition run by the school to delivering interview preparation workshops for pupils and then following up with mock interviews. It has also launched a book donation project and has given the school books by award-winning Manchester barrister Sally Penni MBE, who spoke at a Clarion event last October as part of Black History Month. During June, the Clarion team worked alongside the school’s PE department and ran an exercise workshop that tied in with a firm-wide health and fitness initiative that it was running. A number of colleagues also took part in a careers fair at the school.
In addition, over the course of the academic year, Clarion has welcomed a number of students from years 9 and 10 into their offices to, amongst other things, meet the team, speak at firm wide events and take part in tailored activities.
Megan Lipp, head of business development at Ahead Partnership, which has been working with the school since 2019 and is working with Clarion to design and deliver this social value programme, said: “We are so grateful to Clarion for making this long-term commitment to working with Dixons Trinity Chapeltown to inspire and support their students.
“We know that engaging young people around careers and skills from school-age and helping them to make connections with a professional network can have significant impact, and we’re looking forward to continuing to work in partnership to develop students’ confidence and guide them in thinking about the career and learning opportunities available to them after school. It is especially important that young people get these experiences with employers after successive periods of lockdown. It is predicted that the achievement gap between lower income areas and their wealthier peers could be as large as 75% as a result of the pandemic, so being able to ask business volunteers their questions and learn about the working world directly is a really tangible and effective way for employers like Clarion to prepare young people for a post-Covid world.”
Commercial insurance broker Attis 20% ahead of 2022 forecasts – grows team by over 30% and projects £6m turnover for year
Fast-growing commercial insurance broker Attis is forecasting revenue of over £6m for 2022, with gross written premium set to exceed £60m. If achieved, the figures will outstrip projections by more than 20% for the Leeds-headquartered group, which includes commercial broking, employee benefits and credit solution arms.
Since the 2020 launch of its Leeds head office, led by directors Keith Browne, Neil Beck and Justin Chadwick, Attis Insurance has opened five further offices to cover the Manchester, Halifax, Teesside, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire regions and now employs over 100 people, up from 75 at the start of the year.
The business is backed by chairman Joe Henderson, who sold his Leeds-based, 30-year-established Henderson Insurance Broking Group to global professional services firm Aon for £90m in December 2017.
Mr Henderson said: “We started the business in the face of all the challenges of the global pandemic and yet we are on track to achieve robust growth that effectively puts us two years ahead of forecasts by the end of 2022. We expect to hit £100m in gross written premium by 2024 and since our launch in 2020 we have also settled over £4m in previously outstanding property insurance claims for clients.
“The exceptional costs involved in setting up the business are behind us and were smaller than anticipated, and in the last six months we’ve got great traction. We set out to be a disruptor, challenging the complacency of industry giants and offering a fresh perspective and more effective way of doing things, and that has clearly been well received by our growing client base.
“We have a fantastic, and expanding, team in place, including an apprenticeship programme that has attracted some outstanding young people and is very much part of our long-term development plan. Added to our outstanding reputation for service and network of local offices, we have established a great foundation for growth.”
With further senior hires and new offices in the pipeline this year, the firm expects to make an executive broking director appointment imminently.
Attis director Neil Beck added: “We are very clear that Attis differentiates itself from other commercial brokers in everything we do. The progress we’ve made so quickly, and faster than anticipated, shows that the UK commercial market was obviously ready for a truly independent broker, focused more clearly on service, that aims to help directors to actively protect their balance sheets from risk.
“We are already becoming known for our swift decision making and innovative client support and, as we are seeing, there is huge demand for that at the moment and we aim to maintain our expansion nationally in 2022 and beyond.”
Energy cost review hopes to yield lower prices for consumers
The exposure UK consumers to volatile global gas markets and energy costs could be radically reduced in the long term, thanks to a transformational review into Britain’s electricity market design, launched today by the UK government.
The Review of Electricity Market Arrangements will seek views on a wide range of options to address the combined challenges of responding to higher global energy costs, the need to further boost energy security, and move the UK to a cleaner energy system.
Some of the changes being consulted on include:
- introducing incentives for consumers to draw energy from the grid at cheaper rates when demand is low or it’s particularly sunny and windy, saving households money with cheaper rates
- reforming the capacity market so that it increases the participation of low carbon flexibility technologies, such as electricity storage, that enable a cleaner, lower cost system
- de-coupling costly global fossil fuel prices from electricity produced by cheaper renewables, a step to help ensure consumers are seeing cheaper prices as a result of lower-cost clean energy sources
“In what could be the biggest electricity market shake up in decades, I am confident that this review will significantly enhance GB’s energy security and supply for generations to come.”
With electricity demand set to at least double over the next 13 years, REMA will focus on establishing a fit-for-purpose market design, identifying and implementing the reforms needed to GB electricity markets that work for businesses, industry, and households. This includes consulting on both the continued evolution and expansion of existing schemes, such as the Capacity Market and Contracts for Difference, and the introduction of more fundamental change where needed to guarantee uninterrupted supply during periods of no wind or sun at the lowest cost possible for consumers.Ringrose Law launches industry leading technology to enhance their client experience
Earlier this year Ringrose Law launched Perfect Portal to enhance and improve their client experience.
Perfect Portal is the industry’s leading digital onboarding and client-centric technology solution for law firms and is used by a number of client focused law firms across the country.
The technology includes a brand-new client onboarding software, allowing the firm to centrally deal with all enquiries coming into the business, creating a personal service to clients, understanding their needs and ensuring they are dealt with by the right person.
The technology also includes a Ringrose Law app for clients to download at the start of their matter that supports every area of law, with integrated features from electronic verification of identity, open banking for verification of funds, payment on account, document completion, digital signing of documents, matter updates and more. The app allows clients to upload and access documents and receive updates on their file 24/7, whilst still receiving a personal one to one experience with their legal adviser.
The firm launched the software earlier this year for their Personal Injury & Medical Negligence Teams and their Residential Conveyancing Team and hopes to have integrated it into all departments by the end of the year.
John Knight, senior director of the firm, says: “We are a personable legal practice that puts our clients and their individual needs at the forefront of what we do. Whilst we still maintain a very personal client experience, the new client App, should clients wish to use it, sets us apart from our local competitors, the App looks fantastic, is easy to use and provides our clients with access to their file at their own convenience.
“Our new client onboarding process allows us to track every enquiry into the firm, gain valuable insight and feedback information at a level that we haven’t had before, and helps us improve our client service all the time.”
For more information or to speak to a member of the team please contact wecanhelp@ringroselaw.co.uk
Mass transit system for West Yorkshire to be discussed by Combined Authority
Plans for a mass transit system in West Yorkshire to improve connectivity, air quality, provide alternatives to car travel and connect communities to jobs and education will be discussed at the next meeting of the Combined Authority on Friday 22 July.
Following on from an initial consultation in 2021, the revised West Yorkshire Mass Transit Vision 2040 will set out the process for developing a new system of transport to make the region greener, more inclusive, and better connected.
The vision also shows how mass transit has the potential to lower carbon emissions, boost the economy by improving access to jobs and training, speed up regeneration and improve the quality of life.
In the engagement on the 2021 Vision, around 90% of respondents said they supported the Combined Authority’s vision for Mass Transit.
It also highlights the benefits for disadvantaged communities in West Yorkshire and the potential for improved connectivity to hospitals and for districts with growing populations.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This is an exciting time for the region as we move ahead with our work to radically improve our transport network to make it fit for the future.
“A new mass transit system in West Yorkshire will be a key element of this and has the potential to provide communities with a quick, reliable service, integrated with cycling, walking, bus and rail.
“Alongside our plans to improve local bus and rail services, Mass Transit will help connect people and places, opening up job and leisure opportunities and making it easy to get to the places that are important to people.
“A new mass transit system for West Yorkshire has cross-party support, locally and nationally, and I am working hard to ensure that this commitment continues. Our Mass Transit proposals are an important part of our work to deliver a transport system that will benefit many generations to come.”
Combined Authority members will be asked to endorse the West Yorkshire Mass Transit vision, approve a new governance model including creation of a Member Transit Strategy Group and Transit Senior Leadership Board; and the creation of a development team, reporting to the Combined Authority’s director of mass transit and Chief Executive.
As part of its recent £830 million City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, £200 million is allocated to Mass Transit for the next five years, although the full system as planned will require further funding from government in the future.
Government back new rules to prevent firms hanging on to employees’ tips
Millions of UK workers will be able take home more of their hard-earned cash under new legislation, backed by the government, banning employers from withholding tips from their staff.
Despite most hospitality workers – many of whom are earning the National Minimum Wage – relying on tips to top up their pay, there are still too many businesses failing to pass on service charges from customers to their staff.
The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Bill, introduced by Dean Russell MP and backed by the government, will ensure that all tips go to staff by making it unlawful for businesses to hold back well-earned service charges from their employees.
This overhaul of tipping practices is set to benefit more than two million UK workers across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors – who tend to reply on tips the most – and will help to ease pressures caused by global inflation and an increase to the cost of living.
Business Minister Jane Hunt said: “At a time when people are feeling the squeeze with rising costs, it is simply not right that employers are withholding tips from their hard-working employees.
“Whether you are pulling pints or greeting guests, today’s reforms will ensure that staff receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – and it means customers can be confident their money is going to those who deserve it.
“I particularly want to tip my hat to the work of Dean Russell MP and all the campaigners who have helped make the Tipping Bill a reality.”
Through the Bill, a new statutory Code of Practice will be developed to provide businesses and staff with advice on how tips should be distributed. On top of this, workers will receive a new right to request more information relating to an employer’s tipping record, enabling them to bring forward a credible claim to an employment tribunal. Mr Russell said: “It has always felt wrong that some employers have retained tips intended for their staff. This new legislation will halt this practice, particularly given the current challenges around the cost of living. I would like to thank all of the businesses and stakeholders that have got in touch to voice their support.” The move towards a cashless society has exacerbated the problem of companies keeping card tip payments for themselves, and today’s measures, once in law, will ban that practice. UK Hospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Tips and service charges provide a significant and welcome boost to hospitality employees’ take-home cash. So we’re delighted to see this proposed legislation recommend that employers can set a fair distribution policy for staff, meaning they all benefit. This should also reassure prospective hospitality sector workers at a time when the industry is seeking to fill vacancies.”South Yorkshire’s Mayor heads to USA to promote county
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard is heading to the USA to promote the region on an international stage.
The Mayor will be working with 40 other mayors from around the world, as part of a prestigious programme for leaders run by Harvard University.
While in New York, he will hold a series of meetings with businesses and investors to strengthen ties with the US for trade and investment opportunities.
Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire deserves to be shouted about on an international stage and I can’t wait to show the world what we’re capable of.
“We are home to world-class universities, an advanced aerospace cluster and businesses working at the cutting edge of manufacturing and low carbon technology, and I will use this opportunity to highlight our successes, placing South Yorkshire at the heart of any future expansion plans.
“We have unending talent and limitless potential, we’re the ideal place to invest in, and I’ll make that case to future partners in the United States.”
Every year the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative works with 40 Mayors from around the world, bringing them together to strengthen their capabilities and discuss responses to shared issues like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. A collaboration between Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, it was established in 2017.
Mayor Oliver Coppard continued: “This programme offers unrivalled opportunities for us here in South Yorkshire to build relationships, share information and learn from other regions across the globe.
“There’s never been a more important time to shout about South Yorkshire, and I will take every opportunity to be an advocate for our communities wherever I can.”
Professor Koen Lambers, president & vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “We are very pleased to see South Yorkshire’s Mayor represent our region internationally. The USA remains an important strategic partner for the University in terms of R&D, academic partnerships and student recruitment and exchange.”
For the trade mission, the Mayor will be accompanied by SYMCA’s director of trade & investment Rachel Clark, and AMRC’s head of external affairs, Simon Collingwood.
The Mayor’s flights and accommodation for the Bloomberg Harvard programme have been paid for by Bloomberg. All other costs have been covered by SYMCA.
340,000 sq ft Barnsley logistics scheme receives green light
Firethorn Trust has secured planning approval to deliver a 340,000 sq ft logistics scheme in South Yorkshire.
The 24-acre site, Barnsley340, will comprise a Grade-A warehouse unit spanning 320,000 sq ft, in addition to 20,000 sq ft of highly specified office space.
Barnsley Council has now approved Firethorn’s plans for the site, which will sit within the wider ‘Phase 2’ Gateway 36 project – a mixed-use development owned by Yorkshire-based land and property regenerators, Harworth Group plc.
Paul Martin, development director at Firethorn Trust, says: “Now that we’ve received the green light, we’re excited to begin construction and swiftly bring our plans for the scheme to life.
“As the market continues to experience pent-up demand for modern logistics space, and the region benefits from ongoing inward investment, we are confident that the Firethorn specification will unlock the full potential of the site, bringing wider economic and employee benefits into the area.”
Constructed to net-zero carbon, Barnsley340 will be delivered to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, with renewable design features and sustainability initiatives looking to enhance cost- and energy-efficiency.
Work on site will begin later this year, with practical completion due in Q2 2023.
Hull Maritime to tender for Spurn Lightship’s new berth
Hull City Council has published a decision record that will allow the council to open a tender process to construct a permanent wet dock for the Spurn Lightship.
To berth the Spurn Lightship in Hull Marina for visitors to enjoy, the council requires the services of a specialist contractor to deliver a wet berth on the northwest corner of Hull Marina, close to the Holiday Inn and Murdoch’s Connection.
A successful funding bid from National Highways for £1,044,725 will enable works to take place. The main works to create the new dock will be the sinking of five piles to create mooring points for the ship.
The restoration of the Spurn Lightship is part of Hull Maritime, a locally led project funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Work to restore the lightship will be complete this autumn and the ship will move to a temporary position on Hull Maritime until the new dock is completed in early 2023.
Councillor Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the funding from National Highways. This is the latest stage in the work and this investment will create a new permanent home for the city’s cherished Spurn Lightship.
“Residents and visitors will learn more about what it was like to work on the Spurn Lightship, guiding vessels as they navigated the Humber estuary – one of the most treacherous waterways in the world.
“For the first time, visitors will be able to climb to the top of the lantern, this is going to be something very special for the city and will continue to act as a signpost to Hull Marina, a constant reminder that our maritime heritage is never far away.”
The procurement exercise will open in the coming weeks, with work expected to start on site in the autumn.
It is expected the Spurn Lightship will open to visitors in summer 2023.
The restoration of the Spurn Lightship is part of Hull Maritime. Other elements of the project include the refurbishment of the Grade II* Hull Maritime Museum and the Dock Office Chambers, the creation of a new visitor attraction at the North End Shipyard which will become the new home of the Arctic Corsair.
