North Northamptonshire Council are celebrating after being nominated for nationally recognised awards.Teams from NNC have reached the final five in the following categories at the MJ Awards:Best Transport Decarbonisation project Transforming LivesThe North Northants e-scooter trial has been nominated for the Best Transport Decarbonisation project. Since the trial started, over three million rides have been undertaken with over 87,000 registered users. The scheme in North Northants is led by NNC, working alongside West Northamptonshire Council, Voi technology and Northamptonshire Police.It is estimated that since e-scooters were introduced to North Northants, 1.6 million car trips have been replaced and 700...

31 March, 2023

Northamptonshire’s Top 20 Easter Days OutWith spring in full swing, now's the time to get out and about. Plus; a forward look at the King’s Coronation celebrations at Adrenaline Alley. THE SILVERSTONE MUSEUM #ONTRACK! 1-16 APRILSilverstone Museum is bringing two iconic British brands together this Easter with the launch of the brilliant new Scalextric On Track! exhibit, which opens April 1 and runs until April 16.As well as recreating the track, the special Scalextric set features architectural elements including grandstands and the Silverstone Wing, pit garages and the pit lane.  The Scalextric set will be a highlight of the exhibit and, throughout...

31 March, 2023

There has been a lot of change and instability in our economy over the last number of years with the Pandemic, adapting to the impact of Brexit and leadership changes within the Government which have started to settle at No. 10, but what support has been given by the Government to Small and Medium Enterprises in recent times ? We look back at the support announced.Support to small and medium enterprisesIn this year’s Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced a commitment to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business. Some of this...

31 March, 2023

Prime Minister announces deal to join CPTPP – a huge trade bloc in the Indo-Pacific which will now have a total GDP of £11 trillion.The UK will join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a vast free trade area of 11 countries spanning the Indo-Pacific, the Prime Minister has announced today [Friday 31March].The historic agreement follows two years of intense negotiations by the Department for Business and Trade and puts the UK at the heart of a dynamic group of economies, as the first European member and first new member since CPTPP was created. We would not...

31 March, 2023

Low-paid workers across the country will receive a pay increase this weekend as all rates of the National Minimum Wage rise.The National Living Wage (NLW) increases on Saturday 1 April by 9.7 per cent to £10.42, providing a pay rise to millions of workers aged 23 and over across the UK. 21-22 year olds will see their pay increase by 10.9 per cent to £10.18 per hour while pay for younger workers and apprentices will also rise by 9.7 per cent.NMW rate Annual increase (£) Annual increase (per cent)National Living Wage (23+) £10.42 0.92 9.721-22 Year Old Rate £10.18 1.00 10.918-20 Year Old Rate £7.49 0.66 9.716-17 Year Old Rate £5.28 0.47 9.7Apprentice Rate £5.28 0.47 9.7Accommodation...

31 March, 2023

Measures announced to increase use of electric vehicles, as well as the production of sustainable aviation fuel in the UK.A robust package of measures to turbocharge the UK’s progress towards decarbonising transport, has today (30 March 2023) been unveiled by the government.The measures will support the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), as well as the production of sustainable aviation fuel in the UK – continuing the country’s transition towards net zero.The government has today launched the £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund alongside an additional £15 million for the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS). Taken together, the funding will support the installation of tens...

30 March, 2023

Energy Security Secretary outlines steps to strengthen Britain's long-term energy security and independence to help deliver clean, prosperous future for the country.Ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries in Britain have been unveiled by the government today (Thursday 30 March) - boosting the country’s energy security and independence and reducing household bills for the long term and maintaining a world-leading position in achieving net zero.Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine had a devastating effect on global energy markets, forcing up wholesale prices and with it the energy bills of households and businesses in the...

30 March, 2023

Abseiling, half marathons and mountain climbing are among the fundraising feats that have helped buy a new rehab bike to help patients cycle their way to recovery.Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) has introduced the new £8,000 Therabike which is set to help patients suffering from neurological and mobility conditions.The new equipment, which is being used at the Hazelwood Ward in Isebrook Hospital in Wellingborough, can help with a number of conditions, such as strokes, and improve mobility to speed-up patients’ recovery so they can return to doing the things they enjoy.The static bike is able to give feedback on...

29 March, 2023

A new bill introduced today will support businesses by modernising the business rates system to incentivise property improvements.A new bill introduced today (Wednesday 29 March) will support businesses by modernising the business rates system to incentivise property improvements and support more frequent revaluations.The measures being put forward review and reform business rates in England, making them fairer and more responsive to changes in the market.The Non-Domestic Rating Bill will introduce more frequent valuations, to take place every three years instead of the current five, meaning those with falling values will see their bills drop sooner.It will also provide new business...

29 March, 2023

A TEAM of employees from Northampton Saints Foundation will be joined by members of their families as they take part in the TCS Virtual London Marathon to raise money to support young people across Northamptonshire and beyond.Staff from the Foundation, which helps young people develop new skills and build positive futures through their social inclusion and education programmes, will take part in the event on April 23, which will see them walk 26.2 miles from Glebe Farm School in Milton Keynes to Old Northamptonians RFC in Northampton. The school and rugby ground both host the Foundation’s Engage programme, which supports...

29 March, 2023

As part of an exciting new partnership with Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal & Derngate is delighted to be hosting the opening performance of the inaugural Gala tour of their new company BRB2, on Tuesday 25 April, showcasing the talents of these rising stars in a programme entitled Carlos Acosta’s Classical Selection.BRB2 is a new initiative where Birmingham Royal Ballet pro-actively seeks out some of the best young ballet graduates (aged 18 to 22) from around the world to join a two-year performance programme, providing extensive training and professional experience, sending developed, professional dancers back into the dance sector and providing...

29 March, 2023