Time is running out for businesses to access a free intensive support programme designed to help them achieve sustainable long-term growth.Across the South East Midlands, hundreds of firms have risen to new heights with support from SEMLEP’s Growth Curve programme since its launch at the beginning of 2020.But with funding for the programme coming to an end, businesses only have 100 days left from Wednesday, March 22, to take advantage of free support from Growth Curve advisers.SEMLEP Growth Hub manager Vicky Hlomuka said: “This programme has provided invaluable support and training for local businesses, putting them on track for future...

20 March, 2023

Highways maintenance in Occupation Road, Corby, will start on Monday, March 20 and is scheduled to last for three weeks.The work will include road resurfacing and patching, essential iron work replacement, speed hump replacement, application of road markings and cleaning of drainage gullies.Work will take place on weekdays between 9.30am and 3.30pm and will be done in phases with road closures in place between these times.When a road closure is in place, a diversion route will follow Studfall Avenue to where it connects with Rockingham Road in the town.Residents will be allowed access to Occupation Road during the works if...

16 March, 2023

People across West Northamptonshire are being invited to have their say on new measures being proposed in Northampton to encourage responsible dog ownership and prevent smoking in certain public open spaces.West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) are consulting on a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering the Northampton area. The proposals follow on from similar measures adopted across the Daventry and South Northants areas last year.People could be fined £100 if they fail to:pick up their dog’s mess and dispose of it properly carry the means to pick up after their dog prevent their dog from entering public places from which...

16 March, 2023

Millions of people will benefit from specific support to look for work, acquire new skills and progress into better-paid jobs.Interventions focus on removing barriers to work for people at any age and career stage Parents on Universal Credit will be further supported with upfront childcare costs Boost to employment support for disabled people and those with health conditions building on reforms in landmark White PaperParents, over-50s, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions will have opportunities arising from changes announced in the Budget set to be delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions.Overall, DWP measures at Budget represent an...

16 March, 2023

Britain’s rollout of clean, affordable, home-grown energy is moving full speed ahead, with the UK government offering £205 million in its latest renewables auction, boosting energy security, growing our economy and powering more of Britain from Britain.The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme is the government’s flagship mechanism for supporting new British low-carbon electricity generation projects, so far awarding contracts to projects totalling nearly 27GW of low carbon capacity. This has helped accelerate plans to diversify, decarbonise and domesticate our energy supplies, with the last round (AR4) securing almost 11GW of low carbon capacity - enough to generate sufficient electricity to...

16 March, 2023

Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce their second business exhibition for 2023! The event will be held on Thursday 7th September, at Franklin Gardens, Weedon Road, Northampton, NN5 5BG, from 10am until 3:30pm.The exhibition, sponsored by Chamber Business Platinum Partners Wilson Browne Solicitors, is open to both members and non-members and is free to attend for all visitors on the day.Wilson Browne Solicitors Business Chair Kevin Rogers commented: “In our 30th year of Chamber membership, I am delighted that Wilson Browne Solicitors are once again the Headline Sponsors for the Northamptonshire Business Exhibition!“Our long-standing relationship with the Chamber, and...

15 March, 2023

Local rotarian Keith Fossey was awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list and was presented with the award in March by Princess Anne.Keith was honoured for over 22 years of voluntary work with a UK charity called Swaziland Schools Projects (SSP). He has been Chair for 10 years and Operations Manager for 15 years.The charity raises money in the UK and then supports education in Eswatini, the country that used to be called Swaziland.The project works to get children into education so they can escape poverty and to inspire them to look forward to a rewarding adult life.In...

15 March, 2023

A free employment law seminar next week will help business owners navigate how to manage their workforce in 2023.The virtual seminar, at 10am on Wednesday 22 March, is an annual event run by Kettering-based HR consultancy HR Solutions and looks at the upcoming developments and expected challenges in the world of HR.The award-winning firm’s Head of Client Services Sue Watson and HR Knowledge Manager Victoria Templeton will be speaking during the session, which will guide participants through the potentially significant changes ahead.An area which could bring one of the biggest shake ups to UK employment law is the Retained EU...

15 March, 2023

Budget measures announced by the Chancellor are set to put powers and money in the hands of communities most in need, to help achieve the Prime Minister’s objective to grow the economy and level up across the UK. These measures will deliver more jobs, better services and more opportunities for local people.A ground breaking devolution package and funding for community projects in the Budget will help further our ambitions to spread opportunity more equally.The measures build on our place-based approach, as set out in the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper, to ensure targeted measures which best suit the unique economy,...

15 March, 2023

The British Independent Retailers Association has said the forecast for the future from today's Spring Budget announcement looks brighter - but warns that businesses still are in for a rough few months ahead.BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, said they hope today's forecast for the future helps improve customer confidence and will drive economic growth.Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA said: "The Chancellor was upbeat about the economy in that we are likely to avoid a recession and forecast growth is better than expected. We wanted to hear about plans for growth and we were...

15 March, 2023

A revolution in childcare, a £27 billion tax cut for business and a trio of freezes to help families with the cost-of-living headlined the Chancellor’s Spring Budget today, Wednesday 15 March.Childcare revolution to expand 30 hours free childcare for children over the age of nine months, alongside boosts to subsidised childcare for parents on Universal Credit including upfront support. A £27 billion tax cut for business through radical ‘full expensing’ policy and capital allowances reform which will drive investment and growth. Measures to ease cost-of-living burden will help more than halve inflation, with extension of Energy Price Guarantee and...

15 March, 2023