Government invests £75 million to provide discounted bus travel for another 3 months across 5,000+ routes from over 140 bus companies.Millions across England are encouraged to ‘Hop Around for £2’ this spring as the £2 bus fare cap is extended to 30 June.Thanks to £75 million of extra government investment, the fare cap means passengers can save on single bus tickets, helping them travel more affordably to education, work and medical appointments.Extended from today (1 April 2023), the offer will apply to more than 5,000 routes in England from over 140 operators, as the government continues to help households through this difficult...

02 April, 2023

New rules on lettings for self-catering properties you will need to meet to continue to be eligible for business rates.From April 2023, new eligibility rules for business rates will apply to self-catering properties in England and Wales.If you don’t meet these rules your property will become eligible for paying Council Tax.The rules will be used in assessments from 1 April 2023. The information about lettings during the 2022/23 operating year will be used to determine whether a property is eligible. The changes The new eligibility rules are different depending on whether your property is in England or Wales.If your property is in...

02 April, 2023

A new review designed to boost the employment prospects of autistic people has today been launched by the Government.Sir Robert Buckland KC MP to lead new Autism Employment Review Focus on supporting employers to recruit and retain autistic people and reap benefits of a neurodiverse workforce Recommendations for change to be brought to Government later this yearA new review designed to boost the employment prospects of autistic people has been launched by the Government to spread opportunity, close the employment gap and grow the economy.The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, has appointed Sir Robert...

02 April, 2023

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