Author Archive
-
Skills shortage threatens SME growth
Thousands of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the UK are suffering a skills gap in the workforce which they fear could stunt growth, limit competitiveness and dent future profits, according to a new report from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking. The study shows that six out of ten SMEs believe there is a shortage of skills amongst their workers and a quarter of these feel that there are gaps in sales and marketing skills. One in five ...
-
Gangmaster ordered to pay £45,000 compensation
Unlicensed gangmaster, Christopher James Blakeney, of Conock, Devizes, has been handed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years and has been ordered to pay £45,000 in direct compensation to the workers he supplied illegally. The Wiltshire-based recruitment consultant systematically exploited around 60 Filipino workers and illegally supplied them to dairy farms across the UK. However, the chief executive of the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA), Paul Broadbent, says the sentence imposed does not "fit the crime", given ...
-
Four charged in alleged bio fuel fraud
An investigation by the Serious Fraud Office has resulted in four men connected to Sustainable AgroEnergy plc being charged with offences of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to furnish false information. The alleged offences relate to the promotion and selling of bio fuel investment products to UK investors, with the value of the alleged fraud around £23 million. The men, all British nationals, are: Gary Lloyd West (age 52) of Hertfordshire, the former director ...
-
Tougher penalties for irresponsible dog owners
As part of government plans to clamp down on dangerous dogs, the public are being given the chance to have their say about whether dog owners should be given harsher sentences when their dogs attack and cause serious or fatal injuries. Sixteen people have been fatally attacked since 2005 but the owners of dangerously out of control dogs can only be sent to jail for a maximum of two years. Those with strong views on the subject ...
-
UK home to world’s second-largest offshore wind farm
The world's second-largest offshore wind farm has been officially opened with plans for the installation to double in size by 2017. Located off the Suffolk coast, Greater Gabbard has 140 turbines and cost £1.3 billion to complete. It can generate enough clean electricity to power over half a million homes and plans are already in place for the wind farm to double in size by 2017. Energy and Business Minister, Michael Fallon, comments: “The UK leads the world ...
-
Shadow side to surge in consumer optimism in economy
The latest Consumer Insight Tracker from Which? suggests that Britons are feeling more optimistic about the UK economy. More consumers (36%) now think the economy will get better in the next 12 months, compared to those (29%) who think it will get worse. However, worries about rising food, fuel and energy prices are still high, with 9.5million households currently cutting back on essentials. According to the study, nearly a third of consumers are finding it difficult or very ...
-
Multi-million pound investment in offshore wind industry
The Government has unveiled a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening the UK’s position in the offshore wind industry in the hope that the sector will contribute £7 billion to the economy by 2020. Funding will include £20 million from the Regional Growth Fund to improve the industry’s supply chain and £46 million to join up innovation between industry, government and academia, and help bring new products to market. Key initiatives are as follows: £20 million from the Regional ...
-
£160m investment in agricultural science and technology
The Government has unveiled a new package aimed at boosting agricultural science and technology and backed by a £160 million investment from the public purse. Industry is also expected to invest heavily in the scheme which aims to make the UK a world leader in addressing global food security issues. Agri-tech is a well-established sector in the UK and the entire agri-food supply chain, from agriculture to final retailing and catering, is estimated to contribute £96 billion ...
-
T-pylon offered for first time in UK
National Grid has announced that the T-pylon, the winner of the Pylon Design Competition, is being offered for the first time in the UK for a new electricity connection in Somerset. One of the key objectives of the competition was to see if innovations in design and technology could improve an 85 year old structure that has divided popular opinion since its inauguration - the new design has a single pole and T shaped cross arms ...
-
Ban on imports of sweet chestnut trees
Imports of sweet chestnut trees from areas affected by sweet chestnut blight will be banned, the Government has announced. A consultation has already revealed overwhelming support for a ban, which will be implemented during this summer. Speaking at the CLA Game Fair at Ragley Hall this weekend Defra minister, Owen Paterson, said: "Tree health is one of my top priorities and I’m determined to act swiftly to protect our woodland and the thriving economy that relies on ...
