Legal Matters What employers need to know about furloughing employees With millions of workers currently being furloughed under the government’s coronavirus job retention scheme (JRS), Yorkshire based LCF Law is detailing what the latest government clarifications mean for both employees and employers. The JRS is due to last for three months ending on 31 May 2020. Under the scheme, By The Editor • 3 min read
Business Calderdale gets to work on personal protective equipment In the fight against COVID-19, Calderdale Council is working with local organisations who are donating or producing personal protective equipment (PPE) for our hardworking staff in the NHS and social care, and is calling on Government for an urgent, longer-term solution to the national PPE shortage. Cllr Tim Swift, Leader By The Editor • 2 min read
Legal Matters Coronavirus-hit organisations lean on legal and HR experts to help them survive Specialist employment law firm and HR consultancy business ESPHR has provided UK businesses with more than 800 hours of employer-based advice last month – a 60% increase compared to time logged in March 2019. Following the Coronavirus outbreak, over 200 organisations on ESPHR’s customer books – that operate in sectors including By The Editor • 2 min read
National “Alarming” number of self-employed don’t qualify for government support · 29% of sole traders who lost work not eligible for support · 70% of people surveyed are unable to work due to COVID-19 · 30% of directors/shareholders not eligible for furlough scheme An “alarming” number of self-employed individuals in the UK won’t qualify for government support, a new survey by By The Editor • 3 min read
Business Senior engineering appointment for Vapour Cloud Fast-growth technology firm Vapour Cloud has announced its latest appointment – cloud and network engineer Stuart Hodgkinson. Armed with 11 years’ IT experience, he joins the Elland-headquartered team having previously worked as a senior network technician for the NHS at Salford Royal Foundation Trust. Used to managing, monitoring and troubleshooting wired By The Editor • 2 min read
Legal Matters Solicitors to offer ‘life after settlement’ advice People awarded significant damages settlements after being represented by Hudgell Solicitors [https://www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk/] will now also be able to benefit in a “one stop shop” service from leading independent financial advice and planning experts to ensure the money they are awarded has the maximum positive impact on By The Editor • 3 min read
Business Keith Madeley and Sir Andrew Strauss in council podcast The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is currently in the process of talking to leadership figures from across the nation in an attempt to understand this universal trait and what it means in Britain and Northern Ireland today. Keith Madeley from The Cones Books was invited onto By The Editor • 1 min read
Arts&Culture Scarborough and Whitby in 2035 ... how would you spend £25m in each town for regeneration and economic growth? Business people and visitors to the Yorkshire coast are being invited to give their views on how Scarborough and Whitby could create new visions for their towns. The two big east coast locations are taking part in a competitive bid process as part of the government's Towns Deal By The Editor • 2 min read
Business Leyburn distillery ramps up alcohol hand rub production Taplin & Mageean Spirit Company based in Leyburn, North Yorkshire in normal times focuses its complete attention on the production of award winning ultra-premium craft gins, but in response to the Covid 19 pandemic has switched some of its production capacity to making 80% alcohol hand sanitiser. Chris Taplin, Managing By The Editor • 2 min read
Business Leach launches online store in response to ‘social distancing’ graphics demand Graphic display specialist Leach has made its first foray into online retailing, with the release of its new ‘social distancing’ product line – available to order from today. Making sure to follow Government guidelines, Leach has pledged to support those organisations which remain open currently and require essential Coronavirus-related graphics, as By The Editor • 1 min read
Arts&Culture Award winning garden designer becomes Vice President of The Yorkshire Society Multi award-winning garden designer, Mark Gregory, has been given the title of Vice President of The Yorkshire Society, following in the footsteps of Sir Michael Parkinson, Sir Geoffrey Boycott and the Archbishop of York to name just a few. Thanks to his highly praised work at RHS Chelsea Flower Show By The Editor • 1 min read
Arts&Culture Signage manufacturer keeps home staff connected through virtual leisure programme Leeds-based digital and traditional signage specialist Widd Signs has launched a programme of virtual events, designed to help home-workers and furloughed staff to keep connected, entertained and healthy during lockdown. The company, which recently acquired Spectrum Sign & Display Ltd in St Helens, currently has most of its 80-strong team By The Editor • 1 min read
