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Red Tape, Regulation & Costs Holding Back Exports
Almost half (49%) of businesses say current customs checks and declarations are a barrier to exporting. This rises to 62% for manufacturers. Taxes and duties, due to tariffs, are the next biggest stumbling block for two fifths (40%) of firms. Regulations, such as product certification, cause problems for a similar proportion of businesses (38%).
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Migration Changes Will Cause Concern For Businesses Already Struggling To Recruit
Photo by Krzysztof Hepner on Unsplash
Today's announcements will cause concern among businesses already struggling to recruit the labour they need
6:25 PM 4th December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Malcolm Campbell (Aka Malcolm The Weaver)
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring business people from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Malcolm Campbell, textile aficionado and children’s author from The Cloth of Kings…
1:05 AM 4th December 2023
Businesses Urged To Prioritise Cookie Compliance After ICO Warning
Image by kalhh from Pixabay
After the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) voiced its concerns that some of the UK’s top organisations were using cookies incorrectly, cyber security and data protection consultancy CSS Assure is warning businesses to ensure their websites comply with the law.
1:00 AM 4th December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Graham Clayton
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring business people from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Graham Clayton, CEO of The Society of Dyers and Colourists…
1:00 AM 3rd December 2023
Christmas Spotlight: Rachel Mcelroy
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season. And they’re only allowed one word answers… Next up, it’s Rachel Mcelroy, Marketing Director from Axiologik…
1:03 AM 2nd December 2023
Secret Santa Tips 2023
A guide promised to deliver smiles to employee faces and not more workload for internal HR teams.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Paving The Way: Carbon Sequestration In Concrete To Mitigate Environmental Impact
Concrete, the most extensively used manmade material worldwide, carries a significant environmental burden, contributing to 8% of anthropogenic GHG emissions. With a staggering 30 Gt produced annually, the material consumption is over 3.5 tonnes of concrete per person annually. The majority of the emissions (88.5%) emanate from cement production, the essential ingredient in concrete.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Is There Enough Coffee On The Market?
Brazil is the undisputed leader in terms of coffee production in the world, although this applies primarily to Arabica coffee. It is this coffee that is used primarily in espresso machines. Brazil is also "only" the world's second largest producer of Robusta type coffee. This type of coffee, in turn, is used primarily for the production of instant coffee. Most Robusta is grown in Asia, mainly in Vietnam and Indonesia.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Dealing With Long-Term Absences: Supporting Your Workforce
Long-term absence due to sickness is at a record high in the UK. From April to June of 2023, nearly half a million people took leave from work because of a long-term illness, adding to the 2.5 million people already absent long-term.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Top Tips For Ensuring Business Wellbeing In 2024
(L-R)Wendy Swash, Chief Operating Officer at Moneypenny and Fiona Armstrong, Chief People Officer in the Moneypenny meeting room which for 6 weeks has been turned into a giant snowball pit, where every week different teams will take out a ball which represents a fun prize, such as a free air fryer, cuddly toy or a weekend away for the whole team, to reward them for their hard work throughout the year.
Moneypenny, the outsourced calls and communications company has been consistently recognised for its people strategy, and its leadership team firmly believes that employee wellbeing and satisfaction is central to achieving business success in 2024 and beyond.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Christmas Spotlight 2023: Jonathan Oldfield
Yet again for 2023, we’re bringing back our popular festive spotlight — featuring businesspeople from across the north. On each day of advent, we’ll be quizzing a notable name with 10 quickfire questions, covering the past year and their plans for the festive season.
8:57 AM 1st December 2023
IoD: Directors’ Confidence Remains Stuck In A Rut
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
The IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leader optimism in prospects for the UK economy, rose only slightly last month – from a negative reading of -25 in October to -21 in November. Since plummeting in June, business confidence has been gradually ticking upwards over the last five months.
1:15 AM 1st December 2023
Independent Growth And Productivity Institution Needed To Address UK’s Economic Challenges
Recommendation to establish an Office for Budget Responsibility-style body to help boost UK productivity Call comes from The Productivity Institute at the University of Manchester and the Programme on Innovation and Diffusion at the London School of Economics’ Centre for Economic Performance Survey of UK businesses shows lack of awareness about UK’s poor record on productivity and recognition of skills challenge for improving performance
1:00 AM 1st December 2023
TUC: 3 In 4 Young Employees Miss Out On Protection From Unfair Dismissal And Redundancy Pay
A new report finds most employees aged 16-24 miss out on key employment rights – and young people are also much more likely to be employed on zero-hours contracts TUC says Labour’s New Deal for Working People would be “life changing” for young people by giving all workers day one rights in a job, banning zero-hours contracts and removing age bands from the minimum wage
1:00 AM 1st December 2023
North West Business Confidence Reaches Highest Level This Year
Business confidence in the North West has reached its highest level this year, climbing 20 points to 54%. North West businesses have identified their top three target areas for growth in the next six months as introducing new technology (38%), entering into new markets (34%) and evolving their offer (34%). Overall UK business confidence increased three points in November to 42% with firms’ outlook on the economy also up by four points at 38%
1:01 AM 30th November 2023
Private Sector Activity Falls In November – CBI Growth Indicator
Private sector activity continued to fall in the three months to November (weighted balance of -11%, from -7% in October), with no sign of any let-up over the coming quarter, according to the CBI’s latest Growth Indicator. The latest decline shows that activity has now contracted (-11%) for the last sixteen rolling quarters.
1:00 AM 30th November 2023
New Guide Launched To Help Businesses Navigate The Complex World Of The Supply Chain In M&a
Image: SCALA
Global supply chain and logistics consultancy, SCALA, has launched a complimentary good practice guide, which provides industry insights to help businesses navigate the complex supply chain implications of undertaking mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Despite the M&A market experiencing instability in 2023, driving growth and transformation remains a top priority for business.
1:00 AM 30th November 2023
Cost Pressures Ease Significantly But Business Sentiment Deteriorates – CBI
Image by Ronald Carreño from Pixabay
Sentiment within the service sector deteriorated over the quarter to November, against a background of falling business volumes and profitability, highlighting a continuation of difficult conditions across the sector – according to the CBI’s quarterly service sector survey.
1:01 AM 29th November 2023
Royal visit for Lancashire firm
HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO presented the King's Award for Enterprise to and Ashley Smith of Ormskirk-based GaraDry)
HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO paid a special visit to Lancashire-based firm GaraDry on Friday (24th November 2023) for a special tour of the company and to present staff with an award from His Majesty the King. The King’s Award for Enterprise celebrates outstanding achievements by UK businesses and is internationally recognised.
1:00 AM 29th November 2023
People Of Major Industrialised Nations Support Compensating Developing Countries Affected By Climate Change
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has launched the sixth edition of its Climate Survey. These are some of the most striking results of this annual survey conducted in August and September 2023.
1:00 AM 29th November 2023
Opinion
Late Purchases, More Returns: Preparing Customer Service Teams For An Unpredictable Golden Quarter
With the news that a record number of consumers are returning their Black Friday purchases and families are likely to wait until December pay day before buying Christmas presents, Martin Brown, CCO at FM Outsource, encourages retailers to introduce a scalable customer service strategy.
9:15 AM 28th November 2023
CBI CEO Calls On Parties To End Political Short-Termism To Deliver A Decade Of Sustainable Growth
Boost UK competitiveness by delivering an ambitious business tax system showing the UK is open for business. Prepare for the future of work by prioritising productivity and showing boldness on skills and immigration to solve shortages. Honour our climate commitments by delivering a new Net Zero Investment Plan to drive green growth beyond 2030. Demonstrate global leadership in tech and innovation by committing to ambitious targets and accompanying budgets on R&D and supporting businesses to adopt productivity-boosting technology. Transform public service delivery by renewing the UK’s partnership between Government and business
1:00 AM 28th November 2023
Pockets Of Deal Activity Drive Logistics And Supply Chain Transactions To Two-Year High
M&A activity in the UK logistics and supply chain management sector has rebounded to 2021 levels, with renewed interest from international buyers and venture capital investors targeting early stage tech-enabled companies. Mirroring levels seen in Q4 2021, 21 deals were completed between July and September.
1:00 AM 28th November 2023
Retailers Anticipate A Disappointing Festive Period – CBI Distributive Trades Survey
Retail sales volumes fell year-on-year in November for the seventh consecutive month, according to the latest quarterly CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Despite a slight uptick in sentiment, firms expect sales to decline again in December. Retailers also reported a reduction in headcount in the year to November, while investment is set to decline in the year ahead.
3:08 PM 27th November 2023
Local Entrepreneur Encourages People To Access Business Support That Helped Her
Laurelle Kamara
Laurelle Kamara accessed support from charity Hatch Enterprise to grow her business, and is encouraging local people to do the same. Laurelle is the founder of Photo by Laurelle, an award-winning photography and videography business based in Yorkshire capturing authentic and aesthetic visuals with a specialism in fashion, portrait and event photography.
2:54 PM 27th November 2023
160 Years On, Hydes Keeps It In The Family With Latest Appointment
Tom Allkins (left) and Adam Hyde toast Hydes' newly launched Harry Beswick premium dining pub in Heswall
North West brewery and pub retailer Hydes is ensuring that the future of the business is in good hands after Hydes family member and brewery employee Tom Allkins, passed his Level 4 brewing apprenticeship with distinction. Established in 1863, Hydes is commemorating its 160th anniversary this year.
2:38 PM 27th November 2023
Aviva To Acquire Optiom
Aviva plc has today announced the acquisition of Optiom O2 Holdings Inc from Novacap and other minority shareholders for consideration of c.£100m (c.CAD$170m). Optiom, which operates as a managing general agent, is a leading provider of vehicle replacement insurance in Canada and offers flexible payment options to customers.
7:40 AM 27th November 2023
New Master’s Program At The University Of Manchester Is Taking A Fresh Approach To Tackle Climate Change
University of Manchester
A new postgraduate course addressing the global environmental crisis and the challenges of building sustainable societies has been launched by The University of Manchester. According to a recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), profound social change is urgently needed to help mitigate the climate crisis and meet other sustainability goals.
1:03 AM 27th November 2023
Industry Leaders Welcome Landmark Plan For UK Advanced Manufacturing
Industry leaders from across UK advanced manufacturing have welcomed the Government’s landmark Advanced Manufacturing Plan (AMP) backed by billions to boost Britain’s manufacturing sector, announced by Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch yesterday.
1:02 AM 27th November 2023
Cost Of Living Crisis: UK Professionals Forced To Abandon Christmas Break Amidst Financial Strain
As the cost-of-living crisis intensifies across the United Kingdom, more than half of workers find themselves having to forgo their traditional Christmas breaks, as financial constraints make taking time off unfeasible for the majority.
1:00 AM 27th November 2023
Opinion
Autumn Statement 2023: When Is A Tax Cut Not A Tax Cut?
Chris Etherington, tax partner at RSM UK comments: "If this was meant to be an Autumn Statement of intent by the chancellor, then it may not have gone far enough. "Jeremy Hunt has bet the house on cuts to National Insurance contributions (NICs) being welcomed by workers and shifting his party’s political fortunes in the polls.
1:00 AM 25th November 2023
Opinion
Market Analysis: Cranswick
Cranswick: Shortage of butchers is driving up costs; Growth opportunities in pet food market and China
1:00 AM 25th November 2023
Is There Any Point To Generational Cohorts?
Ian Garner
Business Writer
Photo by little plant on Unsplash
We’ve all seen lots of comments about the differences between generations. You know the labels: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z, and the latest, Generation Alpha, which refers to the group of individuals born between 2010 and 2025. These are familiar labels, loved by the media, and the basic building blocks for campaigns by some marketing and sales professionals.
1:00 AM 25th November 2023
Defence Outsourcing Could Save Taxpayer Money, Says New IEA Paper
Image by Defence-Imagery from Pixabay
The greater use of outsourcing in national defence could encourage efficiency, innovation and better services and equipment for military personnel. The UK government spends over £55 billion annually on defence, yet has little incentive to keep down costs or try new methods. Competition could even be encouraged between the army, navy and air force
1:00 AM 24th November 2023
Made Smarter To Continue Support For Lancashire SME Manufacturers With National Roll-Out
Bells of Lazonby a manufacturer supported by Made Smarter
Made Smarter, a pioneering programme helping SME manufacturers in Lancashire access technology and digital skills, will continue as part of Government plans to roll out the initiative nationally.
1:00 AM 24th November 2023
Sheffield Forgemasters Welcomes Westminster Nuclear Report
Sheffield Forgemasters, the UK’s sole supplier of ultra-large, nuclear-grade forgings, has welcomed an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) report on the future of nuclear energy in the UK.
1:00 AM 23rd November 2023
Stress Of Juggling Work And Unpaid Care Causes Thousands Of Carers To Leave The Workplace
Research shows 40% of unpaid carers providing high levels of care are giving up work to care, while 22% are reducing their working hours. Carers UK encourages employers to get ready for implementation of new law which will give 2 million employees the right to five days of unpaid carer’s leave
1:00 AM 23rd November 2023
Unpredictable Black Friday Demand: What Does An Uncertain Golden Quarter Mean For Retailers’ Supply Chains?
Unpredictable Black Friday demand: what does an uncertain golden quarter mean for retailers’ supply chains?
1:00 AM 23rd November 2023
Manufacturing Output Falls And Order Books Deteriorate – CBI Industrial Trends Survey
Manufacturers reported that output volumes fell in the three months to November, disappointing expectations for expansion, according to the CBI’s latest Industrial Trends Survey (ITS). Manufacturers expect output volumes to decline further into the new year. A more subdued outlook for production comes as order books fell to their weakest level since the second COVID-19 lockdown in early 2021.
1:00 AM 23rd November 2023
Willerby Crowned UK’s Most Sustainable Manufacturer In Prestigious Awards
Holiday homes firm Willerby has been recognised as the UK’s most sustainable manufacturer at a highly prestigious awards ceremony. Hull-based Willerby won the Sustainable Manufacturing Award in The Manufacturer MX Awards 2023 – widely recognised as the “Oscars” of manufacturing.
8:18 PM 22nd November 2023
CBI North West Responds To Autumn Statement
Damian Waters
With tough decisions to be made, the Chancellor was right to prioritise ‘game-changing’ interventions that will fire the economy.
3:55 PM 22nd November 2023
Focus On Innovation Growth Welcome, But Government Must Go Further, Says NCUB
Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay
Rosalind Gill, Head of Policy and Engagement at the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) said: “Becoming an innovation nation requires the UK to attract, start and scale more innovative businesses.
2:36 PM 22nd November 2023
Business Response To Autumn Statement
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive, said: “With tough decisions to be made, the Chancellor was right to prioritise ‘game-changing’ interventions that will fire the economy.
2:33 PM 22nd November 2023
IoD: Autumn Statement Provides A Significant Boost To Business Investment
Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Autumn Statement, the Institute of Directors welcomed efforts by the UK government to boost business investment.
2:14 PM 22nd November 2023
Whitby Seafoods Appoints Finance Director To Help Drive Growth Plans
Whitby Seafoods, the UK’s largest scampi manufacturer, has made an important appointment to bolster its finance and senior leadership teams. Carol Gee has joined its Board as finance director following a recruitment process led by finance recruitment specialist, Headstar.
1:03 AM 22nd November 2023
North West Businesses Concerned About Tax Rises After The General Election
Businesses expect taxes to rise after the next general election and the chancellor should focus on improving HMRC service and green tax breaks, according to the latest research from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.
1:00 AM 22nd November 2023
West Cumbria Well-Placed For Growth As iSH Starts New Managing Director Search
Business, industry, academia and communities in West Cumbria are well-placed to work together to maximise a wealth of opportunities. That’s the message from Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) Managing Director John Maddison as he prepares to hand over the baton to a new leader of the organisation. John has been the Managing Director of iSH since it was formed in March last year.
1:00 AM 22nd November 2023
2024 Predictions: Cost Of Raw Materials Set To Finally Come Down Next Year
Supply chain improvements and reduction in demand is leading to lower costs. Largest online metal supplier, metals4U, provides industry predictions for 2024
12:00 AM 22nd November 2023
Construction Business Evolution Helps Residents Gain Essential Lifeskills
Evolution Managing Director JJ Fitzgerald
A construction company which puts communities at the heart of its operations is helping tenants gain essential skills. Evolution, which creates better places for people to live across the North-West by delivering quality private housing and social housing, is donating its time and expertise to help residents.
6:21 PM 21st November 2023
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