Business News Round Up (01/06/2020)
UK businesses sign letter to PM ‘pushing for clean recovery’
More than 200 top UK companies, business networks and investors in the energy, finance and other sectors are calling on the government to deliver a Covid-19 recovery plan that prioritises the environment. Chief executives from across the UK economy have offered support to the government in tackling the pandemic, while requesting the UK leader to provide “clear vision” for recovery efforts that align with the UK’s wider social, environmental and climate goals. The signatories include Lloyds Bank, Asda, Siemens, Sky and Mitsubishi.
https://renews.biz/60661/uk-businesses-sign-letter-to-pm-pushing-for-clean-recovery/
£20m boost for research into manufacturing
The Scottish Government has announced a further £20 million of funding for the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), bringing total Scottish Government investment to £75 million. The investment in the facility, which includes the existing Lightweight Manufacturing Centre which opened last year as a specialist technology centre, will help develop the future of Scotland’s manufacturing sector as the economy rebuilds after Covid-19 pandemic. Operated by the University of Strathclyde, NMIS will be an industry led international centre of manufacturing expertise, aiming to attract investment and make Scotland a global leader in advanced manufacturing. Construction will begin later this year and is anticipated to take 18 months, supporting more than 200 jobs.
https://dailybusinessgroup.co.uk/2020/05/20m-boost-for-research-into-manufacturing/
Green projects given support to attract private sector investment
Two North West projects aimed at protecting and restoring valuable habitats are among four that will receive government funding. The pilot scheme is aimed to encourage sustainable private sector investment in the country’s natural environment. Defra, the Environment Agency (EA), Esmée Fairbairn Foundation (EFF) and Triodos Bank UK have formed a collaboration to support environmental projects to create sustainable funding models. Having been sourced and evaluated by Triodos Bank UK, the projects will receive grant funding from Defra, the EA and EFF to support their development, complete business plans to attract private sector investment, and deliver long-term environmental benefits and sustainable financial returns.
Scottish tourism urged to adapt for trend in ‘self-isolating’ holidays
Scotland’s tourism industry has been urged to gear up to accommodate people looking to take “self-isolating” holidays surrounded by the great outdoors as lockdown restrictions are lifted. Experts at VisitScotland have predicted that the tourists of the near-future to want to head to some of Scotland’s most scenic destinations – but hide themselves away in self-catering cottages. Senior insight manager Chris Greenwood suggested some resorts could offer luxury “isolationist” breaks in Scotland for overseas visitors who have to quarantine. He believes that a cautious approach from the first wave of tourists, who will have social distancing as “a key part of their psyche”, could help allay fears from remote communities about the risks of an influx of visitors.