Business News Round Up (27/09/2021)
UK Government under pressure as HGV driver shortage hits fuel deliveries
Motorists and shoppers have been urged not to panic buy fuel and goods as the shortage of lorry drivers hit supplies. Westminster faced fresh pressure to ease immigration rules as an emergency measure to attract Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers from overseas, amid warnings that 100,000 more were needed across the industry. BP said a “handful” of its filling stations were closed due to a lack of fuel available, while Esso owner ExxonMobil also said a “small number” of its Tesco Alliance petrol forecourts have been impacted. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps suggested adding HGV drivers to the skilled worker list for immigration purposes would not solve the problem, although he insisted nothing had been ruled out. The issues around petrol supply, on top of problems in the food industry and rising gas prices have led to warnings the UK Government faces a “winter of discontent”. A combination of factors, including Brexit leading to the loss of European Union drivers, the pandemic preventing driving tests and systemic problems in the industry relating to pay and conditions, have led to the shortage of qualified HGV drivers.
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/uk-government-under-pressure-hgv-25060226
Manufacturers to create and upskill jobs
North West manufacturers adopting robotics and automation are creating more than 400 new and upskilled jobs after a £2m investment. The jobs drive has been supported by Made Smarter, a national industrial digitalisation movement to drive productivity and growth of manufacturing industries. Since 2019 the North West Adoption Programme, a collaboration between UK government and industry designed to support the increased use of digital technologies, has supported 41 businesses. There has also been 45 technology projects focused on robotics and automation machinery. The investment, which combines £883,000 in grant funding and leverages £1.1m of private finance, is forecast to create 183 new jobs and upskill a further 234 existing workers. The region’s GVA is also expected to grow by £137.4m over the next three years.
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-west/manufacturers-to-create-and-upskill-jobs
New £60m Student Centre will help bring university and city even closer
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) opens the doors to its state-of-the-art Student Centre and University Square today (September 27), which it says showcases its commitment to student wellbeing and represents a transformative step in the wider regeneration of the City of Preston. Every aspect of the 7,304 sq m Student Centre building has been considered and constructed with sustainability, accessibility, and student wellbeing in mind, offering a place to study, socialise and access second-to-none support all under one roof – and even above it. Alongside indoor communal areas, study spaces and an expansive rooftop garden, the new facility is home to the full breadth of UCLan’s renowned student support services, from mental health provision and careers advice to course information and accommodation assistance. Linked to the new Student Centre, and as part of its post COVID-19 focus on student resilience, confidence, and wellbeing, UCLan has introduced a new ‘Transition to Higher Education’ programme to support students pre-arrival and through their first semester. The initiative is offering study skills training and wellbeing resources to help with the transition between school and university life.
Hospitality staff to receive all tips under new law
All tips will go to staff under new plans to overhaul tipping practices set out by the Government today, providing a financial boost to hospitality workers across the country. Most hospitality workers – many of whom are earning the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage – rely on tipping to top up their income and one Scottish source it can amount to £2,000 a year. But research shows that many businesses that add a discretionary service charge onto customer’s bills are keeping part or all of these service charges, instead of passing them onto staff. The UK Government will make it illegal for employers to withhold tips from workers – set to help around 2 million people working in one of the 190,000 businesses across the hospitality, leisure, and services sectors, where tipping is commonplace and can make up a large part of their income. This will ensure customers know tips are going in full to workers and not businesses, ensuring workers receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.