Last night marked a momentous occasion as the Northamptonshire Business Awards 2023 unfolded in grandeur at the Northampton Town Centre Hotel. Sponsored by Headline Sponsors Wilson Browne Solicitors, this event brought together businesses in Northamptonshire, honouring their achievements, innovation, and contributions to the local economy in the Awards organised by the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce and superbly hosted by MC for the evening John Griff DL.The awards ceremony shone a spotlight on businesses across various categories, recognising their excellence and dedication. Among the prestigious winners was Trilogy Active, announced as the Charity of the Year, a testament to their outstanding...

24 November, 2023

Northamptonshire Community Foundation has launched their Warm this Winter appeal, to tackle fuel poverty amongst the county’s older and vulnerable residents.This appeal has been running every winter since 2010 and has so far raised more than £255,000 to protect the most in-need members of our local communities.The foundation is encouraging anyone who can to donate to the Warm this Winter appeal, which will fund grant awards to local community groups and charities who support those experiencing financial hardship. Donations can made via the Warm this Winter JustGiving page: Warm This Winter - JustGivingDean Jones, Head of Giving and Development at...

23 November, 2023

Tax cuts for working people and British business headlined Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s ‘Autumn Statement for Growth’ today, Wednesday 22 November.Plan for stronger economy will reward hard work, putting £450 back into the pocket of the average worker earning £35,400 a year thanks to National Insurance tax cut from 12% to 10% for 27 million working people from January. Tax to be cut and simplified for 2 million of the self-employed, abolishing an entire class of NICs and cutting the rate of the NICs top rate from 9% to 8% – with an average total saving of around £350 for...

22 November, 2023

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade reacts to today's Autumn Statement and what this means for businesses and consumers.At today’s Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced a range of proposals promoted by the Department for Business and Trade that provide further financial backing to UK businesses, will improve regulation, and stimulate investment and growth across the country. The government will further set out its priorities for supporting growth and attracting investment at the Global Investment Summit on Monday 27 November. Welcoming the Autumn Statement, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: "My department put forward a number of measures for the Autumn...

22 November, 2023

A new ‘Chance to Work Guarantee’ will transform the prospects of millions of people currently out of work, supporting them to realise their aspirations and potential.The changes announced today as part of the Government’s next generation of welfare reforms will free up claimants to try work with no fear of losing their benefits, including health top-ups, with the prospect of re-assessments removed entirely for most claimants.Alongside the Chance to Work Guarantee, Universal Credit claimants will benefit from boosted Work Allowances meaning that long-term sick and disabled claimants can keep £404 of earnings every month without this affecting their welfare payments,...

22 November, 2023

The return of  the Winter Light Trail, a new Santa’s grotto, festive workshops and afternoon tea with elves – just a few of the 2023 Christmas highlights confirmed by Delapré Abbey.This historic home in Northampton is currently getting a festive makeover, with the Winter Light Trail team now on site and preparing for launch date on Friday, 24th November. On this date the trail will open to its first visitors and the festive food outlets will open, along with a kids funfair and Après Ski bar. From Friday, 1st December Santa will be meeting youngsters and distributing gifts from his...

22 November, 2023

Maths and English students at Northampton College will develop potential fund-raising campaign ideas for one of the town’s leading charities.The students will work on ways to raise money for Northampton Hope Centre, following a series of talks staged at the college’s Booth Lane campus this week.Tanya Haji-Miller, community and events fundraiser at Northampton Hope Centre, delivered a number of presentations to hundreds of maths and English students outlining the history of the charity and detailing how it helps some of the most vulnerable people in society.Having been inspired by the talks, students will now work on potential fund-raising campaigns in...

22 November, 2023

The recent announcement to substantially increase the national minimum wage by April 2024 brings both opportunities and challenges for businesses and employers across the UK. While this significant boost aims to elevate the standard of living for millions of workers, it's imperative for businesses, charities and organisations, especially smaller ones, to strategise and adapt to this change proactively. Here are some viable strategies to navigate this shift:1. Budgeting and Financial Planning: Businesses should reassess their financial models and budgets to accommodate the increased wage bill. Analysing cash flows, identifying areas for potential savings or efficiency improvements, and revisiting pricing strategies...

22 November, 2023

Biggest ever increase to the National Living Wage, worth over £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, fulfils manifesto pledge to end low pay.The Chancellor will deliver a pay rise of more than £1,800 a year for a full-time worker, as he confirms that the National Living Wage will increase by over a pound an hour from April.The almost 10% pay boost, from £10.42 to £11.44 an hour, is the biggest cash increase in the National Living Wage in more than a decade and fulfils the government’s manifesto pledge to end low pay for those on the National Living Wage.Eligibility...

22 November, 2023

The countdown is on to North Northamptonshire Council’s virtual climate change conference which takes place tomorrow.NNClimate23 will be broadcast live on YouTube on Wednesday, November 22 starting at 9.30am.The day will focus on three sessions:Farming and Sustainability Towards a New Green Economy Youth and CommunityA full list of the speakers is now available online. People are invited to submit questions in advance to form the basis of Q&A discussions which will follow each of the sessions.Questions can be submitted, along with the name of the relevant speaker, to nnclimate23@northnorthants.gov.ukThe day will feature speakers on a range of topics including...

21 November, 2023

Keep your staff safe this winter As the days grow shorter and the nights darker, the safety of our staff becomes paramount. With the approaching winter, crime rates tend to surge, posing significant risks to both businesses and employees. In this editorial, we will delve into the pivotal role that advanced security solutions play in ensuring the protection of our workforce and assets during these challenging months.According to a recent article by The Times, “Police fear hard winter of surging crime and civil unrest” due to the cost-of-living crisis. In many regions, incidents of burglaries may surge by as much as...

21 November, 2023