South West companies have won contracts with the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset worth more than £1.3billion. More than £650million has already been spent with the region’s businesses and the project is creating opportunities for companies and workers, as well as reinvigorating UK industry, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has said. The South West is set to benefit by £200million each year during peak construction, according to a BEIS report, with £4billion being generated for the regional economy over the lifetime of the project. Minister for business and industry Richard Harrington MP said:…
Author: sme-admin
Businesses across Swindon recently gathered together for a day of networking and keynote speakers at this year’s South West Expo Swindon, hosted at Steam. Currently the largest business show in the UK more than 90 companies exhibited at the event. Throughout the day a variety of keynote speakers delivered presentations sharing their personal experiences and offering tips and advice within their sector of expertise. The speakers included Jackie Chappel, – the CEO of National Rail and Ambassador for Women in Business and National Charity Sue Ryder – and James Sinclair – known as “The Millionaire Clown” since starting up his first business…
COULD CUT CONGESTION AND AIR POLLUTION IN READING Employers in Reading may be charged for providing parking, if a proposed scheme is taken forward. Reading Borough Council have been asked to consider the introduction of a Workplace Parking Levy. Councillor Josh Williams, who has brought forward the charge, says it would reduce congestion and air pollution by encouraging people to car share, walk, cycle or catch the bus to work. He added the levy would raise additional revenue which could be invested in public transport. The controversial charge was introduced by Nottingham City Council in 2012 and last year it raised more than…
OXFORD LEADS OTHER AREAS FOR ‘VIBRANT ECONOMY’ The Thames Valley is home to some of the most dynamic business environments in the UK, but has pockets of social deprivation that could hinder growth, data from Grant Thornton UK LLP’s Vibrant Economy Index has revealed. Oxford was placed second out of 324 local authorities in England, scoring 108.54, following closely behind Cambridge for the national crown. While other council areas in the Thames Valley performed highly overall – with 12 of the 15 scoring in the top 20% nationally, and four appearing in the top 10 – the research also identified…
GOOD FOR THE AREA Plans to build a £500m development around Reading FC’s football ground have been approved. The proposed Royal Elm Park,which will be situated next to the Madejski Stadium, includes 600 homes, a convention centre, a 246-bed hotel, an ice rink, leisure facilities and restaurants, and could create about 1,000 jobs. The deputy council leader, Mr Page, who leads strategic environment, planning and transport, added: “I and all my colleagues on the council are concerned to ensure that it remains a package of measures that benefits the club.”
HOUSING DEVELOPER COUNTRYSIDE SELECTED Developer Countryside will deliver a multi-million pound regeneration of Maidenhead town centre and will focus on the redevelopment of York Road, West Street, Reform Road and St Cloud Way. Leader of the council Simon Dudley said: “With Crossrail arriving in 2019, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver an ambitious redevelopment programme right at the heart of the community. “The council will retain considerable control over how the sites are developed and is committed to providing high quality homes, including genuinely affordable options.“ Construction could start as early as 2018.
Labour has today released it’s 43-page manifesto document outlining plans to re-nationalise key industries, boost worker’s rights and reverse a number of benefits cuts. Health & social care comes high on the list with £37bn pledged for the NHS, approximately £8bn for social care, a £10/hour minimum wage pledge, 30 hours of free childcare for children between the ages of two and four and university tuition fees to be abolished. The list of pledges, at a sum of £48.6bn is to be funded almost entirely by tax revenue. For individuals, those on more than £80,000 will be paying the 45p…