Business News

More than half (60%)* of landlords are unwilling commit to contributing more than £250 towards the costs of improving the energy efficiency of a rented property, the Social Market Foundation revealed.

The SMF, a cross-party think-tank, said that government targets to decarbonize homes are likely to fail if politicians cannot find ways to ensure private rented sector landlords do more to better insulate rented homes. Polling for the SMF asked landlords and homeowners how much they were willing to pay out of their own pockets towards a government-discounted insulation upgrade.

Plans to give workers more rights to request flexible working could impact on the way businesses operate, a leading employment lawyer has warned.

Joanne Stronach, Head of Employment Law and HR at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said employers needed to be prepared for the new legislation which will give workers the right to request flexible working from the first day of their employment.

Swedish heat pump company Qvantum today received the German ISH Design Plus award for their brand-new apartment heat pump. The heat pump is so compact that it can be installed, for example, under a kitchen sink and will be able to replace the gas burners that are now to be phased out in the cities of Europe.

“It’s a fantastic acknowledgment for us to be awarded this prize”, says Qvantum CEO Fredrik Rosenqvist. The company has been producing heat pumps for more than 30 years and is currently in a rapid expansion phase.

Construction professionals spanning the Midlands' supply chains are set to gather today (Wednesday 22 Mar) in Birmingham for the latest Constructing Excellence event to discuss how the industry must commit more towards promoting social value and inclusion.

Presented by the CE Birmingham and Black Country Club of Constructing Excellence Midlands, the ‘Social Value and Inclusion... why it’s critical for your business’ conference will take place from 8:30am-10:30am at The Macdonald Burlington Hotel - with CE members and non-members encouraged to secure their ticket.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has negotiated a new Deeper Devolution Deal securing wide ranging new powers and a budget windfall in excess of £1.5 billion to level up the region.

Under the Deeper Devolution Deal – announced by Government in yesterday’s Spring Budget – the WMCA has secured new and significant longer-term funding agreements including 100% business rates retention for 10 years, worth £450 million.

The developer of a £50m property scheme in the centre of Derby has appointed an East Midlands construction specialist to deliver the project over two years. Elevate Property Group, which is responsible for the iconic Trent Bridge Quays development in Nottingham, has selected Bode Contracting to build the 258 apartments that will offer high quality, affordable city centre living for young professionals, couples, and downsizers.

Midlands-based engineering business adi Group’s Environmental division has ramped up its capacity in response to the continued rise in demand for environmentally compliant solutions. Having delivered water treatment, air/steam quality and pre-treatment solutions to huge global brands including Müller, PepsiCo, Cadbury and Coca Cola, adi Environmental is already on a path of undeniable success.

The division’s team has increased from 12 to 18 skilled water treatment and air hygiene specialists in just 16 months, allowing the division to provide new key services and lay the foundation for continued growth.

Mark James Auctions, a leading auction house specializing in urban and contemporary art, announced unprecedented demand and record-breaking results in their online Street art auction schedule. The auction house has seen a surge in interest from collectors looking to acquire artwork from some of the leading names in the industry, including Banksy and many others.

With the Spring Budget due in just a few days’ time, rumours and predictions are circulating widely about what Chancellor Jeremy Hunt might include. One area attracting considerable interest is that of workers aged 50+.

Many older workers retired early during the pandemic, but there could be significant economic benefits from them returning to the labour force. Some have already done so, as part of the ‘great unretirement’.

Over four million families are set to save £45 a year on their energy bills from July as the Chancellor ends the prepayment premium.

Households on prepayment meters pay more on average compared to direct debit customers due to extra costs firms take on managing meters – such as supplying vouchers and collecting payments – being passed on to users.

Wincanton has announced that it will be opening the doors of its Stoke-on-Trent site to the public as part of Logistics UK’s Discover Logistics Careers weekend. Taking place at its Screwfix, Trentham Distribution Centre on Saturday 18th March from 10:00-14:00, the logistics firm is offering site tours around the distribution centre with management, a presentation about the site with a Q&A session to follow and refreshments. Site is also encouraging the local community to get involved in visiting the site to find out more about the diverse world of logistics.  

The Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) are ringing in their 10th anniversary year. Since these prestigious awards were launched in 2014, they have recognised the outstanding achievements of inspirational Black professionals and entrepreneurs across Britain and all industries. 

Nominations have officially opened for the 10th anniversary BBBAwards ahead of the ceremony in October.

French engineering group Egis has moved its London employees into a new UK headquarters.

The new Egis UK headquarters is an 11,500 sq ft campus-style complex of three buildings up to five storeys in London Waterloo housing 350 employees working across its business lines from architecture to rail and energy. The buildings have been designed and developed to integrate within the surrounding Valentine Place conservation area.

Further support with council tax bills is being provided for those in greatest need after Birmingham City Council confirmed details of its discretionary support scheme for the 2023/24 financial year.

Birmingham was awarded £3.04million to support households in the forthcoming year, with an expectation from the Government that councils use the majority of their funding allocations to reduce bills for current working age and pension age Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) households by up to £25.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, Editor of Street Cred Magazine, Mark Dwayne attended an Embracing Equity event at Metro Bank.

International Women's Day celebrates women's rights and inspires people to act in the ongoing fight for gender equality - this year’s IWD theme is Embrace Equity. 

City of Wolverhampton Council’s Heath Town regeneration scheme will later this month (March) complete the construction of the first new council homes on the estate since it was officially opened by HRH Princess Margaret in 1969.

It forms part of a major transformation of the estate, which has seen an extensive demolition programme of vacant buildings, existing residential blocks undergo major improvements by Wolverhampton Homes, and the creation of three new play areas and a football pitch.