Author Archive
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Government reaffirms commitment to rural businesses
Rural England has apparently been given new powers to hold the Government to account on its promise to grow the rural economy and support thriving rural communities. The Rural Statement, launched by Environment Secretary Owen Paterson earlier this week, formalises the Government’s drive to help rural businesses overcome barriers to growth and make a sustainable contribution to economic recovery. Available on the Defra website, it sets out initiatives that are already making progress in this area alongside ...
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New opportunities for social entrepreneurs
One hundred and fifty social entrepreneurs from across the country are set to improve their local communities after securing places on a new Lloyds Banking Group scheme. Successful enterprises include a company offering affordable recycled carpeting and an initiative encouraging an entrepreneurial spirit in schools, with the winners selected so far having demonstrated their determination to improve their local communities, and fight social inequality and deprivation. The programme provides financial support via grants and funds educational training at one of ...
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Booming demand for farmland
Demand for commercial farmland has continued to surge ahead with the average price per acre standing at £6,628 in the first half of 2012, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). In the six months to end-June, a jump in demand coincided with a sizable downturn in land availability and transactions fell to 115, the lowest level recorded by the RICS Rural Land Survey since the start of 2006. Across the UK, most areas saw ...
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A third of farmers plan investment in renewables
Fears over rising energy costs mean that a third of UK farmers are planning to invest in renewables in the next two years, according to new research from Barclays. For those who have invested or are considering investing in renewables, the favored forms are as follows: solar (51%), wind (43%), biomass (15%), ground source (4%) and hydro (2%). Of those farmers not considering investing in renewable energy, the main reason given was that it would be too ...
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Government backs major tidal energy projects
The Government is to back a range of major research and development projects that will focus on generating tidal energy at scale, while addressing the technological challenges faced in the deployment of arrays in the waters off the north and western coasts of Scotland. The UK’s innovation agency, the Technology Strategy Board, and Scottish Enterprise will undertake the work in collaboration with the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Over £6.5 million will be invested in seven ...
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German reinsurer invests in UK wind farms
A German reinsurance company with plenty of funds to invest has acquired three UK wind farms. Munich Re has purchased TIR Mostyn in North Wales with a capacity of 21 MW; Scout Moor near Manchester with 65 MW; and Bagmoor in Lincolnshire with 16 MW. Scout Moor, which is one of the largest onshore wind farms in the UK, has been sold by private equity firm HgCapital. Commenting on the move, Munich Re spokesman, Holger Kerzel, said: "The UK represents ...
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RICS defines “financial viability” for planners and developers
Planners and house builders baffled by the requirement to build "financially viable" developments can now obtain guidance from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Since the adoption of the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework, developers and local authorities can be required to demonstrate that developments are both financially viable and meet the needs of the local community. However, until now, no universally accepted definition of "financial viability" has existed, meaning that many potential projects have either ...
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British manufacturers stick with UK suppliers
Many UK manufacturers are still fearful that the risks of global trade outweigh the opportunities, according to new research from Barclays. Findings from a survey by the bank suggest an emphasis on quality and loyalty amongst UK manufacturers with businesses looking to each other for support, rather than looking abroad. Almost two thirds of those surveyed source commodities or components from the UK and when asked to name the key deterrent as far as trading overseas is ...
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Development land prices slip 0.4%
The value of residential land in England and Wales typically slipped by 0.4% between April and June 2012, according to Knight Frank. The decline comes after a 1.3% rise in values last year, as land prices continue to mirror the movement of UK house prices, which are down 0.3% since the start of 2012. The real estate firm is hopeful that constrained supply of development land, caused partly by backlogs and uncertainty in the planning system, will ...
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“Zombie” businesses stalk the UK
The UK is home to around 146,000 "zombie" businesses, according to R3. The insolvency trade body defines a zombie firm as one nearing the point of insolvency, but able somehow to hang on, with main features as follows: Just being able to pay the interest on debts, but not reduce the debt itself. In the event of a rise in interest rates, the business will be unable to pay its debt at all. Struggling to pay debts when they ...
