LATEST ARTICLES

East Midlands Airport collaborates with Uniper on safe demolition of Ratcliffe-on-Soar cooling towers

April Lara
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East Midlands Airport collaborates with Uniper on safe demolition of Ratcliffe-on-Soar cooling towers

East Midlands Airport is working closely with Uniper, the company overseeing the decommissioning of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, to ensure that flights are not disrupted when the station’s cooling towers are demolished. The airport is involved in planning to ensure the demolition occurs at a time that will not affect air traffic safety.

The Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, which closed its final unit on 30th September 2024 after 57 years of operation, is in decommissioning, a task expected to take around two years. During this time, the power station’s eight cooling towers, each 114 metres high with reinforced draught concrete walls, will be demolished as part of the site’s transition to redevelopment.

Approximately 120 staff members are still working on-site to manage the shutdown, which is divided into three major zones. Decommissioning will make the facility “cold and dark” before repurposing it for future use.

The airport’s management is in ongoing discussions with Uniper to ensure the demolition does not interfere with flight operations. While it is still too early to confirm exact dates, the goal is to carry out the demolition without disrupting air traffic, ensuring that aircraft can operate safely. The collaboration aims to balance the safety of air travel with the efficient completion of the power station’s decommissioning.

This project follows the demolition of cooling towers at the former High Marnham power station in Retford in 2012, the last such demolition in the region.

UK Government introduces measures to support the automotive sector amidst global challenges

April Lara
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UK Government introduces measures to support the automotive sector amidst global challenges

The UK Government has unveiled a set of measures aimed at securing the future of the domestic car industry, which has been under increasing pressure due to global factors, including US tariffs and the ongoing shift to electric vehicles (EVs).

The automotive sector has faced significant difficulties recently, including a 25% tariff on exports to the US, which has raised concerns over potential job losses and economic impact. The Government’s new initiatives are designed to mitigate these challenges and support the transition to electric mobility, a critical component of the industry’s long-term strategy.

One of the key changes is a revision to the zero-emission vehicle mandate, which will provide greater flexibility to manufacturers in meeting the 2030 target for phasing out petrol and diesel cars. This includes extending allowances for hybrid vehicles and offering exemptions for smaller manufacturers, such as McLaren and Aston Martin. In addition, the financial penalties for manufacturers failing to meet EV targets have been reduced from £15,000 to £12,000 per non-compliant vehicle.

Nissan, which has significant operations in the UK, will benefit from these adjustments. The company, which focuses on exporting vehicles primarily to Europe, is on track to expand production at its Sunderland plant. The launch of new electric models, including the next-generation Leaf, Juke, and Micra, is expected to strengthen its market position, with 2024 projections showing a rise in production and revenues.

While the measures are a step in the right direction, some industry leaders have voiced concerns that they do not go far enough to address the broader challenges manufacturers face. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has welcomed the flexibility provided to car makers, but cautioned that a more comprehensive approach is needed to stimulate demand for EVs, beyond the current focus on quotas and penalties.

The Government’s efforts aim to balance the need for environmental progress with the economic realities of a rapidly changing global market, offering a mix of regulatory adjustments and targeted support to help the UK automotive sector remain competitive on the world stage. However, as manufacturers continue to face mounting pressure, many are calling for further action, particularly on the demand-side incentives necessary to accelerate EV adoption among consumers.

Urban noise complaints highlight growing concern over hearing health

April Lara
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Urban noise complaints highlight growing concern over hearing health

Manchester, Hull, and Portsmouth are among the UK cities with the highest number of noise complaints since 2020, with Derby also emerging as one of the noisiest urban areas, according to a recent study.

Specsavers commissioned the survey of over 2,000 urban residents and backed it with data from Freedom of Information requests to local councils. The aim was to spotlight rising levels of noise pollution in UK cities and its connection to hearing health.

Manchester topped the list with more than 31,000 noise complaints, while Hull and Portsmouth followed closely at around 14,000 each. Other cities with high complaint volumes include Leicester (13,900), Bradford, Liverpool, and Newcastle (all over 11,000), and Leeds (10,000).

London boroughs collectively reported more than 440,000 complaints. Islington and Kensington & Chelsea each recorded over 60,000.

Regarding public perception, 54% of urban residents believe their environment has become louder over the last five years. Traffic, construction, emergency sirens, and noisy neighbours were the most disruptive sources. Over half of those surveyed said urban noise affects their concentration and sleep, and more than 60% believe it has worsened their hearing.

Despite growing concerns, nearly half of respondents have never had a hearing check, even though many report issues with hearing clarity and social engagement.

Government injects £38m to accelerate zero-emission bus rollout and green jobs

April Lara
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Government injects £38m to accelerate zero-emission bus rollout and green jobs

The UK government has announced a £38 million investment to support the deployment of 319 zero-emission buses by 2027, reinforcing its commitment to decarbonising public transport and stimulating growth in green industries.

The funding, part of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) programme, is directed at local authorities to expand their electric bus fleets, reduce emissions, and create jobs in manufacturing, construction, and engineering.

Key allocations include nearly £20 million to the West of England Combined Authority for 160 electric buses, £3.9 million to Hull City Council for 42 buses, and £2.3 million to Nottinghamshire County Council, also for 42 vehicles. Additional funding will support similar initiatives in other regions.

The investment contributes to the UK’s broader plan to phase out diesel and petrol buses, with the goal of reaching a fully zero-emission bus fleet. It also aligns with the Bus Services Bill, which is designed to give local authorities more control over service delivery and modernisation.

Private operators are expected to co-invest, accelerating the transition to cleaner fleets and reinforcing public-private collaboration in building a sustainable transport infrastructure.

Hat-trick of property panel reappointments for Gateley Legal

Tess Egginton
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Hat-trick of property panel reappointments for Gateley Legal
Gateley Legal’s specialist residential development team has secured a trio of legal panel reappointments for Bellway Homes, McCarthy Stone and Taylor Wimpey. The legal business, which has offices in Nottingham, has been advising Taylor Wimpey for more than 30 years and recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary of working with Bellway Homes. The team has been reappointed to the streamlined panels covering all regions for both housebuilders. It will provide support on a wide range of property, construction, disputes, commercial, regulatory and compliance matters. Following five years of service, Gateley Legal has also been reappointed by retirement living developer, McCarthy Stone, across all its regions to cover land acquisition, planning and plot sales matters, as well as construction, litigation and fire safety work. In addition to core legal advice, complementary support will be provided through the technical expertise of its property and construction consultancies within the wider Gateley group. This includes assisting with utility diversions and new connections, surveying matters, project management and capital allowances. Callum Nuttall, partner and national head of the residential development team at Gateley Legal, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our long-term relationships with Bellway Homes, McCarthy Stone and Taylor Wimpey. “These reappointments are a result of the hard work of our brilliant people, a series of strong lateral partner hires and our unrivalled multi-disciplinary offering which sees us providing both legal and consultancy services under one roof to meet the needs of both clients and the market.”

Skegness station upgrade delayed after contractor exits project

April Lara
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Skegness station upgrade delayed after contractor exits project

A £3.3 million redevelopment of Skegness railway station has stalled after the appointed contractor, Taziker Ltd, withdrew from the project. East Midlands Railway (EMR), which is overseeing the scheme, is now in the process of sourcing a new delivery partner.

The revamp is part of a broader investment funded through the government’s Town Deal programme and aims to improve passenger flow by reconfiguring the station’s internal layout.

Originally scheduled for completion by 25 May, the timeline is now uncertain. EMR has reaffirmed its commitment to the project and is working to minimise disruption while securing a new contractor.

For businesses involved in infrastructure, transport, or town centre regeneration, the delay highlights the potential risks of contractor dependency in publicly funded development schemes.

n Industries takes majority stake in Derbyshire industrial brake, clutch and friction materials supplier

Tess Egginton
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n Industries takes majority stake in Derbyshire industrial brake, clutch and friction materials supplier
n Industries Group has acquired a majority stake in Industrial Clutch Parts (ICP), a Derbyshire-based supplier of mission and safety critical industrial brakes, clutches, friction materials and couplings. ICP is a specialist distributor for many major industrial brake and clutch brands including WPT, Danfoss Airflex and Goizper, complemented by a portfolio of own brand products and aftermarket parts and consumables. With additional in-house manufacturing and refurbishment capabilities, ICP is a global business serving growing end markets such as wind energy, process industries, metal pressing, medical and mining. n Industries Group CEO, Jonathan Bates-Kawachi said: “It is a great pleasure to welcome ICP to the n Industries Group. ICP is one of the leading specialist distributors and manufacturers of brakes, clutches and friction materials globally. The safety critical nature of their products makes ICP a strong fit with our mission to build a group of high-quality industrial businesses.” ICP’s Managing Director, Chris Holmes, said: “Our decision to welcome n Industries as a majority stakeholder was driven by their innovative business model, which perfectly aligns with our ethos of remaining autonomous. “This deal mirrors n-industries recent investment in our sister company Friction Technology Limited and gives us the necessary capital and confidence to accelerate our growth. This is excellent news for customers and all our major supply partners who will benefit directly from our expansion initiatives. “I am particularly excited for the younger members of our team to work alongside Jonathan Bates-Kawachi and Duncan Penny, who has achieved remarkable success in growing SMEs. Their expertise and vision will be invaluable as we take this next step in our journey. Together, we are poised to build on our strong foundation and deliver enhanced value to our customers, supply partners and stakeholders.”

Nottingham College to deliver Halfords apprenticeship training academy

Tess Egginton
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Nottingham College to deliver Halfords apprenticeship training academy
Nottingham College has been appointed to deliver bespoke apprenticeship training for household brand, Halfords.
The partnership will initally see apprentices undertake a Light Vehicle Technician Level 3 programme. Apprentices, who will study at Emtec, part of Nottingham College’s Ruddington campus, may also be fast tracked to qualify more quickly, if they demonstrate advanced technical ability. As part of the agreement, Halfords has taken on a physical unit at Ruddington, with the option to be able to expand into further space to accommodate the growing programme. Lindsey Smith, Assistant Principal at Ruddington campus, said: “We are really pleased to have won part of the Halfords apprenticeship training provision. Emtec is a globally renowned provider of exceptional education and training, so it’s fitting that a national household name has trusted us to deliver their apprenticeship programme. “We have already started welcoming apprentices through our doors and we look forward to building on this new relationship in the coming months and years.” Daniel McCann, Head of Skills Development at Halfords, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Nottingham College to deliver bespoke apprenticeship training for our future technicians. “Investing in the next generation of professionals is a key priority for us, and Nottingham College’s expertise in apprenticeship training makes them the ideal partner for this initiative.”

Salaries frozen and pay rises delayed ahead of employers’ NIC rise

Tess Egginton
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0
Salaries frozen and pay rises delayed ahead of employers’ NIC rise
Salaries have been frozen and pay rises have been delayed ahead of the rise in employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NIC), which came into force on Sunday, a new survey has found. More than a third of Midlands businesses (37%) have taken action on pay since the October Budget to prepare for the increase in both employers’ NIC and the National Minimum Wage (NMW). More than a third of regional businesses (34%) have also chosen to use contract workers instead of recruiting, with 28% imposing a full recruitment ban. More than a third of Midlands businesses (37%) have chosen an alternative route by introducing or enhancing salary sacrifice schemes. BDO’s Economic Engine survey of 500 mid-market businesses found that while some businesses have taken drastic action ahead of the changes, others are looking at ways to help retain and motivate staff in 2025, as costs increase within businesses. According to the BDO survey, 37% of regional businesses are exploring new awards schemes to improve employee engagement, with nearly a third (31%) looking at flexible working and 34% planning to introduce wellbeing programmes. Commenting on the survey findings, Steve Talbot, Head of Employment Tax at BDO in the Midlands, said: “The increases to employers’ National Insurance Contributions announced at the Budget, and the accompanying drop in the threshold at which NIC applies to employee earnings, have clearly forced many businesses in the region to take drastic action, freezing salaries and delaying pay rises, while also imposing full recruitment bans. “As our previous Economic Engine surveys have shown us, Midlands businesses are keen to explore other options, as a way of mitigating cost increases, while also helping to retain and motivate staff. Wellbeing, training, flexible working and award schemes rank highly, as business leaders try to think outside of the box when it comes to balancing two important factors – finances and staff.” Last week, the National Living Wage (for those aged 21 and over) also increased, rising by 6.7% to reach £12.21 per hour. Meanwhile, the NMW rates for those aged 18-20 increased by 16.3% to £10 per hour, while under 18s are now entitled to £7.55, up 18%. BDO has warned that businesses face a growing compliance risk with the new NMW rates in force from 1 April. If incentives such as pension or other salary sacrifice schemes push employees below the minimum wage floors, this could bring the risk of HMRC sanctions such as penalties of up to 200% and being named and shamed. Talbot said: “Those employers who have historically paid wages above the minimum levels may now find themselves in a position where they have to pay close attention to the rules to ensure they are NMW compliant. “There are a number of risk areas for employers to consider – notably around salary sacrifice, deductions for uniforms or accommodation, or memberships of savings clubs that could in certain circumstances tip them over the threshold into non-compliance. “All too often, we see household names appearing on the list of companies judged to have breached the NMW rules, many of whom are likely to have been tripped up on technicalities.”

Staffline “delighted” with “outstanding performance in 2024”

Tess Egginton
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0
Staffline “delighted” with “outstanding performance in 2024”
The CEO of Staffline is “delighted” with the Nottingham recruitment group’s “outstanding performance in 2024,” he has announced in audited results for the year. The firm saw a 14% increase in revenue, from £871.3m in 2023 to £992.9m in 2024, due to market share gains and the increase in the National Living Wage. Meanwhile, underlying operating profit exceeding market expectations, growing to £10.1m from £7.2m, and gross profit increased to £70.8m from £64.2m. The business also reduced its losses with a loss after tax of £8.3m compared to £11m in the year prior, while pre-tax losses of £2.1m in 2023 turned into a £5m pre-tax profit. Looking ahead, Staffline noted that headwinds caused by the proposed increases in employers national insurance rates have reduced business confidence, causing caution about prospects for the year. Contributing to this caution are interest rate levels, which remain higher than anticipated. The firm, however, expects continued growth in essential workforce solutions offered by its blue-collar temporary recruitment service, “driven by a strong pipeline and good momentum in new business.” Trading is anticipated to remain in line with current management expectations for 2025. The results follow the £12m disposal of PeoplePlus in early 2025, to create a pure-play recruitment platform, underpinning further share buybacks and providing working capital for growth. Albert Ellis, Chief Executive Officer of Staffline, said: “I am delighted with Staffline’s outstanding performance in 2024, with the ongoing commitment of the Group’s staff and leadership team central to achieving these results, alongside tight control of our cost base. “In addition, our success in maintaining excellence in delivery over the crucial Pre-Christmas peak trading period in the food retailing and logistics sectors remains a key feature of our impressive financial performance. “There is no question that the recruitment market remains challenging but the combination of Staffline’s extensive scale and reach, market leadership and strong brand has ensured we continue to outperform in an uncertain market, remaining the trusted partner of choice. “Our strategy is now firmly focused on our recruitment activities, and the disposal of PeoplePlus allows us to dedicate greater focus and resources on continuing to deliver the organic growth strategy and accelerating value creation for our shareholders.”
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