Author Archive
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UK business confidence hits 20 year high
A new report from Lloyds claims that business confidence in the UK has reached its strongest level since January 1994 on the back of rising expectations for orders, sales and profits in the next six months. Companies are now more optimistic about the economy than they have been at any point since January 2007 and are signalling that they intend to boost staff numbers, suggesting that employment could rise in 2014. Investment intentions have climbed to their ...
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CBI calls for better pay and opportunities for employees
As the recovery takes hold, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) is calling for better pay and training opportunities for employees. In a New Year message, CBI director general, John Cridland, says: “As the financial situation of many firms begins to turn a corner, one of the biggest challenges facing businesses is to deliver growth that will mean better pay and more opportunities for all their employees after a prolonged squeeze." In 2014, Mr Cridland expects most ...
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Cheque depositing to be easier and quicker
New government proposals could mean that from next year businesses and individuals will be able to use their smartphones to bank a cheque simply by sending a picture of the cheque to their bank. New technology should also mean that cheques are processed in two days in future, rather than the six days currently taken. Despite endeavours by the banking industry to get rid of cheques, the Government reckons they remain a crucial part of the British ...
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Planning update – Rights of Way
Our Planning Consultant, Richard Ling, has prepared an update on rights of way as follows: There have been two recent developments affecting rights of way that are of great relevance to rural landowners and land users. The first is that new regulations came into force on 1st October 2013 where authorities are allowed to make Orders to stop up or divert footpaths, bridleways or restricted byways, if the authority considers it necessary in order for development that has been granted ...
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Christmas / New Year Planning Update
Our Planning Consultant, Richard Ling, has prepared an update in the light of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement. As usual, the devil is in the detail so Richard's thorough coverage is well worth a read. As the New Year beckons, what will 2014 have in store on the planning front? The Chancellor in his Autumn Statement set out a number of matters summarised as follows:- • Measures to help the High Street both in terms of financial help ...
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Next steps for shale gas production
The Government has published a regulatory roadmap for shale oil and gas developers along with a Strategic Environmental Assessment report, for consultation. The roadmap sets out the series of permits and permissions developers need to obtain prior to drilling for onshore oil and gas. It aims to provide certainty to investors and local communities about what the permitting process entails. Meanwhile, the Strategic Environmental Assessment sets out the potential economic and environmental effects of further oil and ...
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ScottishPower drops Argyll windfarm plans
ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) has confirmed that it will not be taking forward plans to develop the Argyll Array Offshore Windfarm in the near future. The company has been working on the project since 2009 but ground conditions at the site, particularly the presence of hard rock, and challenging wave conditions that could impact construction have proved too worrying. Added to this this, there is a significant presence of basking sharks, which environmental groups continue to study to ...
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Waste management programme for English firms
Businesses are being urged to design products that last longer and to use resources more sparingly, in a drive to save money, boost the economy and protect the environment. The Government has launched its new Waste Prevention Programme for England, setting out how to make savings by cutting waste, managing resources better and passing on items no longer used. By way of encouragement, an £800,000 Community Partnership Fund is being put in place to help local authorities, ...
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Cleaner, greener future for Yorkshire power station
Britain’s largest coal-fired power station is set to become one of Europe’s biggest renewable electricity generators. Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Edward Davey, opened the £700 million Drax coal-to-biomass conversion plant today, meaning that in the future, the Yorkshire-based power station will burn wood pellets rather than coal, reducing carbon emissions by 80%. Mr Davey said: “Our coal industry has powered Britain for more than a century, and today we’re seeing a clear roadmap for its future ...
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New support for small businesses
Enterprise Minister, Matthew Hancock, has announced plans to make it easier for SMEs to grow and create jobs as follows: new broadband vouchers – 22 cities across the UK will benefit from up to £100 million of broadband vouchers worth up to £3,000 each to help more small firms boost their business by accessing faster and better broadband connectivity a fairer deal on energy – an agreement from the major energy firms to end auto-rollovers for business ...
