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According to a new report, UK businesses encountered more than 753,341 malicious attempts each to breach their online and IT systems in 2024. This was four percent higher than in 2023 (720,252 attacks), with businesses encountering an online threat every 42 seconds. This makes 2024 the worst year for attempted cyberattacks. The attack rate did decline in the final quarter of 2024- this is the first time since 2021 that Q4 was not the most prolific time of year for cyberattacks. Despite the reduction this is only the third quarter on record that cyberattacks experienced by businesses exceeded 2,000 per day. Cybercriminals Targeting Remote IoT Devices In 2024, devices connected to the Internet of Things (loT) were the most frequently attacked by cybercriminals. Business firewalls also received more than 161 daily attacks targeting building control systems, security cameras, networked printers, remote monitoring, and industrial automation systems. Cybercriminals also frequently targeted web applications, remote desktop software, and company databases. Typically, businesses attracted more than 20 individual attacks daily for each of these systems in 2024. China Identified As A Hacker Hotspot The report also found that cybercriminals are using more than a million IP addresses to launch attacks on businesses in the UK in 2024, with almost a quarter (241,019) of these being traced to areas in China. India has also been identified as an area where a significant and increasing volume of cyberattacks have appeared, with 87,144 attacking IP addresses. This is in comparison to 81,112 attacking IP addresses in the USA in 2024. AJ Thompson, CCO at Northdoor plc , explains: “loT devices can be compromised by cybercriminals in several different ways and quite often this is done remotely. In many cases there is a lack of sufficient protection even though you would expect that loT, as a modern technology, would have adequate in-built protection." “Often there is a lack of user awareness around the technology, with easily guessed passwords that are almost never changed. Many also fail to implement updates with unpatched vulnerabilities leaving devices open to cyber threats. Late updates also pose a significant threat. Seen as an inconvenience, they are almost always put off until a cybersecurity issue occurs." “IoT connected devices need to be configured securely, which can be a daunting task for many. This lengthy process has multiple considerations, which can be onerous and time-consuming for in-house IT teams. With budgets being cut and manpower stretched, understanding which IoT devices exist, what they do, how they are configured and most importantly how they should be protected, can seem like an impossible task. “Turning to experienced third-party IT consultancies to help relieve the pressure will be crucial in 2025 and beyond. These consultancies can provide IoT and cybersecurity expertise that in-house teams struggle with. By monitoring systems as well as educating teams about the latest threats, consultancies are in a better position to keep cybercriminals out,” concluded Thompson.

A family and employee-owned insurance broker in Cumbria has expanded with the appointment of an experienced commercial insurance broker. Kelly McCartney has relocated to Cumbria from Dumfries, where she previously worked for James Hallam insurance brokers, to join TL Dallas. The nine-strong team at TL Dallas is based at Lakeland Business Park in Cockermouth and provides independent insurance broking and risk management services to a wide range of commercial and agricultural clients. The close-knit team has quickly grown since TL Dallas expanded into Cumbria with just two people in May 2023. Emma Irving, Lynne Taylor, Philip Jackson, Heather Wood, Karen Coombe, Tracy Hickman and Anna Jones were all former colleagues before they joined TL Dallas alongside apprentice, Talia Frazer. Emma Irving said: “We are in a privileged position to have more than 200 years combined industry experience between us, and we work for a fabulous range of clients who value our expertise and guidance. Through personal recommendations and connections, we have quickly grown in Cumbria and were keen to recruit another experienced and reliable commercial broker to help manage our ever-growing client base.” Kelly said: “I wanted to join TL Dallas as it’s an independent business, with a real client focus and an in-house claims team and I really liked its ethos and commitment to delivering a personal service from 15 regional offices." “Having worked in an account handler role within the schemes division at my last firm, I’ve had clients that operate in varying industry sectors and helped them with every aspect of insurance, from buildings insurance to cyber insurance and everything in between! I’m an Acturis software superuser, so I know the system inside out and am very organised and love working in a busy and friendly environment.” Polly Staveley, managing director at TL Dallas, said: “Our Cockermouth office is a real success story, and it showcases why our commitment to regional offices is important." "Clients like to meet face to face, and deal with people they trust, and we are pleased to welcome Kelly to the team.”

Food waste is a global challenge that has far-reaching environmental, economic, and ethical consequences. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, approximately one-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted, amounting to 1.3 billion tons of food annually. This wastage not only strains our planet's resources but also contributes to hunger and poverty. However, there are various strategies and initiatives that individuals, communities, and governments can adopt to reduce food waste and pave the way for a more sustainable future. Understanding the Impact of Food Waste Before delving into solutions, it's essential to comprehend the extent of the problem. Food waste occurs at various stages of the supply chain, from production and distribution to retail and consumption. When food ends up in landfills, it decomposes and produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Moreover, the resources used to produce wasted food, including water, energy, and land, are squandered, exacerbating environmental degradation. Reducing Food Waste at the Source Sustainable Agriculture:  Encouraging sustainable farming practices can reduce food waste at the production stage. Precision agriculture techniques, which optimise planting, irrigation, and harvesting, can minimise crop losses. Surplus Redistribution: Organisations can partner with farmers and food producers to redirect surplus or imperfect produce to food banks, shelters, or soup kitchens, ensuring that edible food doesn't go to waste. Educating Consumers:  Consumers can play a pivotal role in reducing food waste by making informed choices. Understanding food labels, planning meals, and avoiding over-purchasing can significantly cut down household waste. Minimising Waste in Retail Imperfect Produce Sales: Retailers can offer "ugly" or imperfect produce at a discounted price, reducing the stigma associated with aesthetically non-standard fruits and vegetables. Smarter Inventory Management: Improved inventory management systems can help retailers track and manage their stock efficiently, reducing the likelihood of perishable items going unsold. Donation Programmes: Retailers can establish partnerships with food banks and charities to donate surplus or close-to-expiry products rather than disposing of them. Reducing Food Waste at Home Meal Planning:  Creating weekly meal plans and shopping lists can help households buy only what they need, reducing impulse purchases and food waste. Proper Storage: Learning how to store food correctly, such as using airtight containers and refrigerating perishables promptly, can extend the shelf life of groceries. Leftover Creativity:  Repurposing leftovers into new meals is a practical way to minimise food waste and save money. Government Initiatives Governments can implement policies and regulations to address food waste systematically. Some strategies include: Legislation:  Enacting laws that require businesses to report and reduce food waste can incentivise better practices. Tax Incentives: Providing tax incentives to food producers and retailers that donate surplus food to charities can encourage waste reduction. Public Awareness Campaigns:  Governments can launch public awareness campaigns to educate people about the consequences of food waste and promote sustainable behaviour. Reducing food waste is not only an environmental imperative but also an ethical and economic one. By adopting strategies at every stage of the food supply chain, from production to consumption, we can make significant strides toward a more sustainable and equitable future. It's crucial for individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to work collaboratively to tackle this pressing issue and pave the way for a greener, more food-secure world.

Online therapy service manconfidence.co.uk has conducted research to identify the UK's most stressed professions, revealing that human health and social work activities rank highest with a stress score of 91.88 out of 100. The study analysed factors such as sickness absence rates, reports of stress, depression, or anxiety per 100,000 workers, and total monthly search volumes for stress-related queries across various industries. Each factor was weighted and scored to produce an overall stress index for each profession, with higher scores indicating higher stress levels. Key Findings: The human health and social work sector ranks as the most stressful industry in the UK with a score of 91.88 out of 100. Education and other service activities (which include hairdressers and beauticians) follow, ranking second and third respectively. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are among the least stressful professions in the UK, scoring only 12.27 out of 100. Professionals in healthcare and education sectors are the most stressed in the UK, according to a new study. Topping the list is the human health and social work sector, scoring 91.88 out of 100. This industry faces high levels of stress due to demanding work environments, long hours, and the emotional toll of caring for others. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the human health and social work sector reported one of the highest rates of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in recent years. The UK’s industries ranked from the most to the least stressful: Rank Industry Stress Score 1 Human health & social work activities 91.88 2 Education 80.35 3 Other service activities 74.65 4 Public administration & defence; social security 72.48 5 Financial & insurance activities 58.37 6 Administrative & support services 55.68 7 Wholesale, retail & repair of motor vehicles 51.63 8 Professional, scientific & technical activities 49.82 9 Accommodation & food services 49.74 10 Information & communication 41.99 11 Transport & storage 38.84 12 Construction 33.12 13 Manufacturing 30.53 14 Mining, energy & water supply 20.81 15 Real estate activities 19.71 16 Agriculture, forestry & fishing 12.27 Ranking second with a stress score of 80.35 is the education sector. Teachers and educational staff often experience high workloads, pressure to meet attainment targets, and challenging behaviour from students. Recent surveys by the National Education Union indicate that stress levels among teachers are rising, with many considering leaving the profession due to burnout. In third place, with a score of 74.65, are other service activities, which include professions such as hairdressing, beauty treatment, and repair of personal goods. While not as prominently discussed, these roles can involve irregular hours, customer service pressures, and financial instability, contributing to elevated stress levels. Public administration and defence, including social security, ranks fourth as the most stressful industry in the UK, with a score of 72.48. This sector, while traditionally male-dominated, is now more gender-balanced. Workers in this industry often face stress from bureaucratic pressures, accountability, and the critical nature of their roles in public safety and welfare. At fifth place, financial and insurance activities score 58.37. The high-pressure environment of finance, with its tight deadlines, regulatory demands, and the constant drive for profit, contributes to significant stress among professionals in this industry. With a score of 55.68, administrative and support services rank sixth. This sector includes roles in office administration, cleaning, and security services, with stress factors including job insecurity, high workloads, and often low remuneration. Ranking seventh is the wholesale, retail, and repair of motor vehicles sector, scoring 51.63, the last industry with a score above the average of 50. This industry deals with sales targets, customer service challenges, and the physical demands of repair work, all of which contribute to high-stress levels. On the other hand, there are industries that scored significantly low. At the bottom of the list, with a stress score of 12.27, is the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry. Despite the physical demands and long hours often associated with these professions, workers report lower levels of stress. The nature-oriented work environment and more control over one's work may contribute to this. Real estate activities are the second-least stressful in the UK, with a stress score of 19.71. While agents face pressures such as fluctuating markets and sales targets, the industry reports lower stress levels, potentially due to flexible working arrangements and autonomy. Scoring 20.81, the mining, energy and water supply industry ranks as the third-least stressful. Workers may face hazardous conditions and physical demands, but the industry ranks low in overall stress, possibly due to higher wages and regulated working conditions. With a stress score of 30.53, the manufacturing industry comes next, followed by the construction industry, with a score of 33.12, and the transport and storage sector, scoring 38.84. Also below the average of 50 are the information and communication, accommodation and food services, and professional, scientific and technical activities, with a stress score of 41.99, 49.74, and 49.82, respectively. Dr Junaid Hussain, from manconfidence.co.uk , commented on the findings, "The high stress levels in healthcare and education reflect the immense pressures faced by professionals who are responsible for the wellbeing and development of others." “Interestingly, industries associated with high pressure, such as financial and insurance activities, and manufacturing, didn’t rank as high as the healthcare and educational sectors. The finance industry, in fact, was slightly above the average, while manufacturing received a stress score below the average." “This research highlights the varying levels of pressure professionals in the UK are dealing with. Well-being and mental health must soon become a priority across all industries, or we face the risk of sectors breaking down due to fewer young graduates joining these professions and senior professionals changing careers.”

Leading Scottish hospitality operator Buzzworks has unveiled the exciting plans behind its new Herringbone venue, set to open this May in the heart of Barnton, Edinburgh. The expansion – which will bring up to 40 jobs to the region – will offer guests the Herringbone’s cool but casual experience to one of the city’s most vibrant suburbs. Located at 201-205 Whitehouse Road, the new venue sits on a historic site that has previously served as a retail unit, office space, and most recently, a Sainsburys store. With a sizeable six-figure investment being dedicated to a kitchen featuring an Italian Moretti Forni pizza oven, the transformation will create a warm, welcoming space that is both stylish and comfortable. This will be the fourth Herringbone venue to be opened by Buzzworks, with the group already operating sites in Edinburgh’s Goldenacre and Abbeyhill, as well as the original Herringbone in North Berwick. With a capacity of 110 guests indoors and an additional 20 in the outdoor seating area, Herringbone Barnton is designed to be a welcoming, all-day neighbourhood local. Guests can enjoy a central bar with adjacent high tables, a thoughtfully designed restaurant space split into two areas, and an inviting outdoor terrace with heaters and dog-friendly seating. Ash Bairstow, operations director for Herringbone, said: “We are incredibly excited to bring Herringbone to Barnton and to introduce our warm hospitality, seasonally inspired food, and beautifully designed space to the Barnton community." “Herringbone is all about creating a welcoming neighbourhood venue where people can relax, enjoy great company, and experience outstanding food and drink. We can’t wait to open our doors and become part of the local community.” Buzzworks’ internal design team has carefully curated the venue’s interior, blending a cool mix of celadon, teal and sand for a fresh, sleek Scandinavian-inspired design. Guests can expect natural materials, bold lighting, eye-catching murals, and stylish wallpaper. Much of the furniture is custom-made by Buzzworks’ own joinery team, seamlessly paired with modern classics. Building on the success of previous Herringbones, this new Barnton spot is a natural next step — elevated yet effortlessly inviting. The venue will undergo its final transformation in the coming months, with major milestones including bar installation in early March, kitchen completion in mid-April, and final interior styling by late April. The new menu has been carefully developed by operational head chef James Moyle and operations director Ash Bairstow, with contributions from the wider culinary team, to showcase locally sourced ingredients and fresh, seasonal flavours. Herringbone favourites will be on offer, including seared steak slices with rocket and parmesan, wild mushrooms on toast with spinach and crispy shallots, and the famous East Lothian seafood chowder. Guests can also enjoy beautifully crafted cocktails and 30 wines by the glass. Meanwhile, the Barnton venue introduces an expanded all-day menu featuring breakfast dishes and stone-baked Neapolitan pizzas, alongside seasonal highlights. James Moyle, executive chef for Herringbone, said: “Herringbone has always been about fresh, locally inspired dishes with bold flavours, and our new Barnton menu is no exception." “With a focus on seasonality, our menu changes every 6-8 weeks to showcase the freshest ingredients at their best. Every dish has been crafted with quality and attention to detail, ensuring there’s always something special to enjoy.” Herringbone is now hiring for all positions, including chefs, managers, front-of-house, bartenders and kitchen staff, with recruitment events planned for March. Herringbone is part of the award-winning Buzzworks group, which has been recognised as one of the top 100 companies to work for in the UK and is committed to creating a supportive and rewarding work environment. The company offers competitive rates of pay, industry-leading training and development opportunities, and flexible working options to help team members achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Lidl is kicking off the new year with nine store openings in one month. With the majority opening their doors in February, hundreds of new jobs have been created as a result, whilst even more households nationwide will have access to the discounter’s award-winning combination of high-quality, affordable products. Canning Town, Preston, Walsall, and Wombourne are all getting new stores. Meanwhile, a further five communities will see a bigger and better Lidl re-open in their area following significant investment. This will include stores in Blantyre, Cwmbran, Oldbrook, Wells, and West Ealing. The latest wave of openings follows its first of 2025 in Northampton, whilst building on the momentum of a series of ten new store openings in the run up to Christmas, including Bovey Tracey, Hemel Hempstead, and Ipswich, as part of the discounter’s ongoing expansion drive. Delivering an economic boost, this growth will create hundreds of new roles across the country. Colleague benefits include industry-leading maternity and adoption leave, enhanced holiday entitlement, and an in-store discount. Richard Taylor, Chief Development Officer at Lidl GB, said: “As we begin the new year, we’re maintaining our momentum and opening nine state-of-the-art stores, delivering bigger and better shopping experiences to new communities and those we’ve proudly served for an average of 26 years. After a record-breaking Christmas, where millions of households turned to Lidl, these openings reflect the growing demand for our unbeatable value and quality. This is just the start – we’ve got more openings in the pipeline this year alone and can’t wait to welcome even more customers, both loyal and new, through our doors in the weeks ahead.” This ambitious growth comes after Lidl’s most successful Christmas yet, with nearly two million more customers shopping at the discounter compared to previous years. Sales for the festive period rose 7% year-on-year, exceeding £1 billion for the first time. Lidl has also consistently been named the fastest-growing bricks-and-mortar supermarket for over a year.

The Great Britain Cycling Team kicked off five days of racing in Heusden-Zolder with sprint success as the women’s team sprint won the silver medal and the men won the team sprint bronze medal on day one of the 2025 UEC Track Elite European Championships. In the endurance events, Anna Morris came fifth in the women’s scratch while Will Perrett took eighth place in the men’s elimination and both team pursuit squads qualified for their first round races tomorrow. Women’s team sprint It was a fantastic start to the championships for the young trio of Lauren Bell, Rhian Edmunds and Rhianna Parris-Smith who delivered Great Britain’s first medal of the event, a silver in the women’s team sprint. The team started the day well as Parris-Smith delivered the fastest opening lap out of all qualifying rides, to help the team to an overall third place finish time of 47.168 behind last year’s winners, Germany. In round one, the British trio delivered a time of 46.905, over two and a half seconds faster than rivals Czechia, putting them through to the title ride-off against the Netherlands. In the race for the European title, Parris-Smith delivered her trademark powerful start to put Great Britain in the lead by 0.3 seconds. Hettie van de Wouw for the Netherlands closed the gap on the second lap, putting the two nations neck and neck with it all to play for. Edmunds worked hard to keep the pace but it wasn’t quite enough for the win as Dutch rider Steffie van der Peet crossed the line first and Great Britain took the silver medal. Men’s team sprint The men’s team sprint line-up of Harry Ledingham-Horn, Hayden Norris and Harry Radford delivered three consistent rides to bag themselves a bronze medal on the first day of racing. Having qualified third fastest in a time of 43.496, Great Britain headed into round one against Poland. Radford hit lap one 0.2 seconds faster than in qualifying, but Poland put the pace down in lap two, making the race neck and neck. Ledingham-Horn put in a big effort in the final lap to keep the Brits ahead and take a marginal victory which sent them into the bronze medal ride off. Radford was once again quick off the line, creating a gap on five hundredths of a second on Czechia, who quickly pulled it back and took the lead ahead of the final lap. Ledingham-Horn put the pressure on and Czechia were unable to match his power as the lead swung back hugely in favour of Great Britain who took the bronze medal. Women’s scratch Anna Morris delivered a calm and collected ride in an incredibly cagey race, just missing out on the sprint to finish in fifth place overall. In a steady start to the 10km race, riders were strung out across the track taking turns on the front as the field sized each other up, with all eyes on Lorena Wiebes (Netherlands) as the clear favourite. As the race reached the halfway point, the pace remained steady with no riders willing to commit to a move, as Great Britain’s Morris stayed alert and well-positioned to shut down any potential moves. The race stayed muted until 13 laps to go when Melanie Dupin of France made a jump off the front in an attempt to take a lap. Hesitation from the bunch to chase saw Dupin create a lead of a third of a lap, before being swallowed up in the final kilometre as riders positioned themselves for the sprint. Morris kept her eyes firmly on the competition as Wiebes moved through the bunch with 500m to go before making her move on the outside, with Morris and Italian Martina Fidanza (Italy) on her wheel. Wiebes pushed on for the sprint, neck and neck with Fidanza who held on as Wiebes ran out of gas, leaving Fidanza to take the title in style. Morris was unable to match their sprint and finished a commendable fifth overall. Men’s elimination Will Perrett delivered an impressive ride before a small error cost him his place in the race and he finished eighth overall. From the start, Perrett managed his efforts in a high-paced race, alternating between riding at the front with contenders Elia Viviani (Italy) and Tim Torn Teutenberg (Germany) before dropping back to conserve energy. A shock elimination from two-time world champion Viviani in 15th place opened up the field and an unphased Perrett continued to ride confidently at the front. However, with a smaller group remaining, Perrett dropped into a risky position at the bottom of the track and a lapse in concentration saw him caught off guard and passed by his rivals, putting him out of the competition in eighth place overall. Teutenberg went on to win the men’s elimination title. Qualifiers Both team pursuit squads comfortably qualified for tomorrow’s first round, with the men’s squad of Rhys Britton, Josh Charlton and debutants Michael Gill and Noah Hobbs laying down a fantastic time of 3:51.578, putting them second in qualification behind world champions Denmark. They will race against Switzerland in tomorrow’s first round for a chance to get into a medal ride. The women’s team delivered the third fastest time of 4:18.745, putting them 3.751 seconds behind reigning champions Italy. The British quartet of Maddie Leech, Sophie Lewis, Grace Lister and Anna Morris will go head-to-head with the Italians tomorrow in their first round ride. Tomorrow will also see Matt Walls return to the track in the men’s points race, while Neah Evans contests the women’s elimination title. In the sprint events, Harry Radford is up in the 1km time-trial while women’s sprint qualification also takes place for Lauren Bell and Rhian Edmunds. You can follow highlights on instagram @GBCyclingTeam and watch the evening session on Discovery+ from 5:30pm. Photo credit : SWPix.

London Gatwick could provide a significant boost for growth and resilience of freight across the South East, and support unlocking long-term growth, if the airport’s Northern Runway plans are approved later this month. These were among the key topics discussed by the airport’s CEO Stewart Wingate at a roundtable of UK Aviation Freight Leaders last week, attended by key figures from the UK’s major aviation freight stakeholders, including airlines, airports and trade bodies. The airport is in the final stages of waiting for government approval to bring its existing standby Northern Runway into regular use. If approved, the plans could bring an additional 60,000 flights per year and see an increase to 161,500 tonnes of cargo by 2038 – more than double 2019* levels. The majority of imported cargo through London Gatwick currently arrives in the belly of aircraft from long-haul destinations in Asia and the Middle East – key trade markets which would be further supported by increasing flights to and from the airport. A report by Oxford Economics highlights the Gross Value Added (GVA) contribution to the UK’s economy generated from imported cargo could increase to £9.8bn in 2038, more than twice the value in 2019, and £2.1bn higher than without the Northern Runway.  An increase in the volume of imports will also see a rise in trade-facilitated employment across the UK. With the Northern Runway project, employment would increase to 167,500 jobs in 2038, 35,500 more than without the development.  Karim Fatehi OBE, CEO, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “There is a £2bn a year economic boost within our grasp if we bring London Gatwick’s Northern Runway into regular use. We could double international trade passing through the airport, encouraging home grown and international investment and creating 35,000 new jobs." “Trade through airports is essential for London and the wider UK’s business community. Our Green Skies report shows that four in five London business leaders agree that air connectivity is vital to London’s global competitiveness, international trade, and economic growth. Opening up the runway would create opportunities for businesses to expand their operations overseas, and to access growing markets in the USA, Asia and the Middle East." “We call on the Government to seize this opportunity to boost economic growth and productivity for the entire UK.” Stewart Wingate, CEO, London Gatwick said: “London Gatwick already makes a significant contribution to the local, regional and national economies, through direct and indirect jobs, tourism and global trade opportunities. " “It’s promising that government is actively facilitating discussions on the importance and growth of UK aviation freight, and in particular the resilience across the South East, and unlocking long-term growth for the sector to improve UK competitiveness." “Many businesses and individuals across the South East are supported by having London Gatwick on their doorstep. We are confident that by bringing our existing Northern Runway into regular use, we’ll continue to grow our global connections and drive growth for the region’s people and businesses."

The NFU is urging the government to act on the recommendations of the National Preparedness Commission, an independent group of experts in national crises planning, following a stark warning in its new report on food resilience that the UK’s food security is in a precarious state. This report calls for urgent action to make food systems more resilient in order to effectively safeguard the nation’s food supply in the face of increasing global shocks and pressures. Some of the key recommendations include: Legislating for a comprehensive UK food policy: Introduce a Food Security and Resilience Act to ensure a sustainable and resilient food system. Reassessing food as critical national infrastructure: Require Defra to treat food security as a core component of national infrastructure planning. Creating a national council for food security: Establish an advisory body to provide evidence-based, consistent advice on food resilience. Responding to the report’s findings, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “This report could not be clearer – food security is absolutely vital to our nation’s resilience, but our current food system is not where it needs to be to withstand future crises. “We have seen our fair share of crises in recent years, from the Covid pandemic to the devastating war in Ukraine, and it was only a couple of years ago when a combination of high production costs here and bad harvests abroad meant the rationing of fresh produce in supermarkets. Governments can have short memories, but our ability to feed ourselves should always be a priority." “Yet as we speak, food producing businesses are taking a battering. Global conflicts continue to keep the cost of inputs such as energy and fertiliser high, while climate change and relentless wet weather has wreaked havoc on harvests." "Meanwhile, domestic policy has exacerbated cashflow issues through crippling cuts to direct payments, delays to environmental schemes and this government’s brutal Budget which puts the future of many family farms at risk – all of which has a direct impact on homegrown food production. “This report lays down very clear policy directions for the government to take to improve the UK’s food resilience, and it’s important to note that these are the recommendations of experts in security, defence and crises management." "If the government means what it repeatedly says – that food security is critical to national security – then it will take the Commission’s warning extremely seriously and follow its expert advice.”

Contractor Henry Brothers is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of its first English office with record turnover and growth. Part of the Northern Irish-based Henry Brothers Group, the company set up in Nottingham in February 2015 and following significant success in the North established an office in Manchester in September 2022. It was originally named Henry Brothers Midlands and launched with a handful of staff. Under the leadership of managing director Ian Taylor and fellow directors John Sowter, John Fielding and Justin Hicklin, the company has grown strongly and consistently to become a £65m-a-year-turnover business, with a team of 60. Now renamed Henry Brothers Construction to reflect its work nationally, the business has expanded across the country - delivering key infrastructure developments including schools, university buildings, defence facilities and blue-light schemes. MD Ian Taylor said: “The Nottingham office was opened in 2015 to complement Henry Brothers’ offices in Northern Ireland and Scotland. We started from scratch in the Midlands and have steadily grown to become a key member of the construction industry across the Midlands, into Yorkshire, the North West and further afield." “Our current order book stretches from the East of England across to the West Midlands and up into the North West, supporting our clients with significant infrastructure schemes." “We have delivered major projects for a wide variety of sectors including education, health, blue-light and defence, as well as for public bodies and commercial businesses. Many of these have been repeat contracts. “I am beyond proud of the team we have created at Henry Brothers Construction, thrilled at the growth we have achieved, and look forward to building on what we have already accomplished for both the company and our many clients.” Among the projects delivered by Henry Brothers since launching in the Midlands ten years ago are the joint headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the net zero nursery and forest school at Staffordshire University, Loughborough University’s SportPark Pavilion 4 - the first Passivhaus development on the university campus – and multiple projects at various military bases including a new dye pod facility for the Red Arrows at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, plus four schemes delivered for Nottingham Trent University, including the Dryden Enterprise Centre. Henry Brothers Construction is currently on a number of well-established national and regional Frameworks including Crown Commercial Service, Pagabo, Procure23, Department for Education, Ministry of Justice, North West Construction Hub, The University of Manchester and more. It specialises in delivering projects up to £30m in value, working in partnership with clients across a range of sectors including education, defence, blue-light, health, custodial and commercial. With defence projects a significant part of the work undertaken by Henry Brothers Construction, more than 75% of staff are security cleared. “Our ethos has always been to work hard and get the job done,” added Ian Taylor. “Our practical approach ensures integrity, reliability, quality, innovation and sustainability for all our partners and in all we do. These values were in the DNA of Henry Brothers when it was first established and are still very much evident throughout the business today. “We take enormous pride in our work because when we take on a project, we see it as an opportunity to deliver something inspiring that will benefit the community and the environment, long into the future. We are proud that many of our projects are secured through repeat business.” Henry Brothers Construction has an outstanding health and safety record, having been RoSPA Gold Award holders for eight years, with another rating due shortly. Last year, Henry Brothers received a King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in recognition of its commitment to responsible business and sustainable practices, which have been at the heart of Henry Brothers’ operations since its inception. The story of Henry Brothers first began in 1976 when Jim Henry set up a small construction business called H&K construction, focusing on small-scale construction projects in Northern Ireland. Trading under this name for ten years, in 1986 the business became known as Henry Brothers. As it continued to flourish, several acquisitions followed during the 1990s, and Henry Brothers - along with the acquired businesses - became part of the wider Henry Group. Henry Brothers is now recognised as a leading construction company with offices in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Henry Group, meanwhile, comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. Photo: John Fielding, Commercial Director at Henry Brothers Construction, David Henry, Group Managing Director, Ian Taylor, Managing Director at Henry Brothers Construction, Clare Swaine, Business Development Manager at Henry Brothers Construction, Justin Hicklin, Construction Director at Henry Brothers Construction, and John Sowter, Design and Planning Director at Henry Brothers Construction.

Strong demand from buyers at recent British Wool sales has seen average prices received at auction increase by nearly 25%. Against increasing prices for many in the sheep and beef sectors, wool has also enjoyed a more buoyant trade. British Wool typically offers between 1,000 and 1,500 tonnes in each of its 18 online auctions held throughout the year. Sales are made to wool merchants which supply processors and manufacturers both here in the UK and internationally. Jim Robertson, Chairman of British Wool, says: “Demand for British wool from the very first auction of the season in early July has been strong. We have seen full clearances in most of the 10 auctions held so far in the 2024/25 season. Approximately 57% of 2024’s wool has now been sold with some core types seeing more than 60% sold." “We hope improved prices will encourage those farmers with wool still on the farm to send this in – we appreciate prices are not at the level we’d like them to be, but the market and prices are improving which is encouraging to see.” British Wool works with a wide range of manufacturers and retailers to encourage more use of British wool and to create demand on behalf of its members. Recent marketing initiatives have included a partnership with Shaun the Sheep to support retailers in the carpet sector. Jim says: “As a collective marketing organisation, everything British Wool does is about adding value to members’ wool. The demand we work hard to create from manufacturers and retailers flows back to the auction buyers, increasing the competitiveness in the auction and making British wool less of a traded commodity." “We are committed to collecting wool and providing a service to all UK sheep farmers to drive sustainable demand for British wool to maximise returns for our members. Unlike other wool buyers, British Wool is representing the best interests of members and wants to see wool prices increasing." “To maximise the returns for all sheep farmers, we need members to return their fleeces to us in 2025. If you still have wool on-farm, contact us to arrange delivery or collection, as there is still demand.”

Just weeks after the Chancellor backed a third runway, Heathrow is launching its largest investment programme in the airport’s history to upgrade and expand the ‘UK’s Gateway to Growth’ through 100% private funding  In a major address delivered at British Steel Scunthorpe, Heathrow CEO Thomas Woldbye responded to the Government’s strong support for expansion at Heathrow – including a third runway. Woldbye announced the largest private investment programme in Heathrow’s history and confirmed the airport is developing proposals for a third runway to share with Government by summer.  Woldbye said: “This privately funded programme will upgrade existing infrastructure while laying the groundwork for a third runway, boosting UK investment and economic growth, with tangible benefits felt this year. Heathrow is proud to answer the Chancellor's call to get Britain building."  And that: "A third runway is critical for the country’s future economic success, and I confirm we will submit our plans for a third runway to Government this summer. Ahead of then, as part of a phased expansion programme and supported by the Government’s clear backing, I am today confirming multi-billion-pound investment plans, 100% privately funded, to upgrade our terminal buildings, enhance passenger experience, and improve resilience and sustainability." "This is vital investment and will ensure Heathrow remains globally competitive and a jewel in the country’s crown – the UK’s Gateway to Growth.”   Full details of the investment programme, phasing, and the pathway to a third runway will be part of Heathrow’s initial proposals submitted to Government this summer, but plans confirmed new investment in:  Terminal infrastructure : Heathrow will work with airlines and the regulator to finalise plans to invest in the capacity of Terminal 2 and make changes to optimise and increase passenger capacity in Terminal 5.   Improving customer experience and punctuality : Reconfigure and improve the layout of the airfield, increasing the number of aircraft stands, to improve resilience and punctuality.   Local transport connections and sustainable travel : The investment programme includes plans to further improve bus and coach connections to encourage sustainable and active travel options and benefit our local communities.  Sustainability : New infrastructure will have improved environmental credentials and will use more sustainable sources of power, supporting the ambitious targets set out in Heathrow’s Connecting People and Planet sustainability strategy.  This privately funded programme to transform Heathrow’s current infrastructure, with early tangible benefits felt this year, will start with projects within the airport’s existing boundary and work towards a third runway.  The plans will help the airport become more efficient, more reliable and more sustainable for all passengers and airlines at Heathrow. These new investments build on the £2.3bn accelerated investment announced by Heathrow in December to improve service, resilience, passenger experience, and sustainability through multiple projects over the next two years.  Heathrow’s once-in-a-generation phased investment programme for airport modernisation and expansion will create transformational opportunities for UK businesses and industries, during this Parliament and beyond.  As a sign of its commitment to ensuring positive benefits nationwide, Heathrow also signed the UK Steel Charter at British Steel Scunthorpe. The charter aims to maximise supply chain opportunities for UK steel producers. Industry Minister Sarah Jones said: “This investment is the latest in a long line of wins which our Plan for Change has helped deliver, and not only supports thousands of jobs but marks a major vote of confidence in our homegrown steel sector and this government’s Industrial Strategy. Driving demand for UK-made steel is a crucial part of our upcoming Steel Strategy, and by signing the Steel Charter Heathrow will give a huge boost to steelmaking communities across the UK and help us kickstart economic growth.” According to the most recent study from Frontier Economics, a third runway could increase UK GDP by 0.43% by 2050. Over half, 60% of that boost, would go to areas outside London and the South-East. The project is supported by over 30 Chambers of Commerce and business groups up and down the country including the CBI, MakeUK, British Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses; airports including Newcastle Airport and Cornwall Newquay; and trades unions including Community Union, GMB, and BALPA.   To develop and finalise proposals to expand the UK’s only hub airport and largest port by value, Heathrow will now engage with key stakeholders including airlines and local communities.    In his address, as well as recognising the scale of the prize to be won, Woldbye commited that Heathrow’s plans will demonstrate that the project can deliver for the economy and the environment.   He said: “With strict environmental safeguards, expanding Heathrow will prove that the UK economy can be grown responsibly and deliver on commitments to future generations. This project can only go ahead if we meet the rules on noise, air quality and carbon that the Government sets out in the Airports National Policy Statement – it’s as simple as that. "  “Even though we’re serving more passengers than ever before, our noise footprint is smaller and we’re also using more sustainable aviation fuel than ever before." “I want to assure you that we are committed to listening and working with our local communities to provide them with the certainty they deserve, ending years of doubt.”  Gareth Stace, UK Steel Director-General, said: "Signing the UK Steel Charter is a vital commitment to strengthening Britain’s industrial backbone, ensuring our steel industry continues to support high-quality jobs, drive investment, and play a central role in the UK’s economic future." "By prioritising UK-made steel in major projects, businesses can build a more resilient and sustainable supply chain, keeping value and expertise within the UK. Heathrow signing the UK Steel Charter is a major vote of confidence in UK steelmaking and British businesses full stop. With the airport embarking on its largest-ever private investment programme, this commitment unlocks significant opportunities for UK steel producers and supply chains to help deliver critical national infrastructure." "Backing UK steel means backing UK jobs, innovation, and long-term industrial growth, ensuring the benefits of Heathrow’s expansion are felt nationwide."  Zengwei An, British Steel CEO, said: “We’re proud to be backing a third runway and the proposed expansion of Heathrow. Major developments like this, which require huge volumes of steel, demonstrate why the UK must have a strong and vibrant steel manufacturing sector. As Britain’s only manufacturer of heavy constructional steel sections, and rail, we have a critical role to play in helping this country meet its many infrastructure needs and look forward to working with Heathrow, other customers, and the UK Government, to support investments which grow the British economy. Our colleagues in Scunthorpe and Teesside have a distinguished history of supplying world-class products into projects like Heathrow’s expansion, and we are incredibly excited by the potential of today’s announcement and the signing of the UK Steel Charter.” Sir Nic Dakin MP (Scunthorpe) said: “It's great to see Heathrow's commitment to the UK Steel charter today, which is a big vote of confidence in Scunthorpe steel. The UK is built on construction steel made here in Scunthorpe thanks to our world class workforce." "When British companies like Heathrow forge partnerships with our steel industry, working families up and down the country benefit.” Martin Vickers MP (Brigg and Immingham) said: “I am delighted that Heathrow’s CEO, Thomas Woldbye, has signed the UK Steel Charter, thereby highlighting Heathrow’s commitment to UK made steel. As many of my constituents will work at the British Steel site in Scunthorpe, or will have family or friends working there, this will be welcome news across my constituency. I am also pleased that Heathrow have specifically chosen the British Steel site to make a landmark announcement on the upgrading and modernising of the UK’s hub airport. This investment will provide welcome opportunities for supply chains across the UK, including in my own patch. As such, I wish Heathrow all the best in this endeavour.” Anna Turley MP (Redcar and Cleveland) said: "Following the Government’s much-welcomed announcement in support of a new runway at Heathrow, it is now more important than ever that major infrastructure projects - like Heathrow’s expansion - that this new Labour Government is backing, invest in and utilise UK steel. Supporting our world-class supply chains and engineering hubs across the country, including in Redcar and Cleveland, will help secure high-skilled jobs, drive innovation and growth, and strengthen British manufacturing." "By championing UK-made steel with a proper steel strategy that this new government will put in place, we can ensure a resilient and prosperous future for our industrial heartlands, including in Teesside and across the country." Craig Beaumont, Executive Director at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Getting growth means moving forward with a strong plan for a third runway at Heathrow. Small businesses across the country will benefit - SME procurement to help build it, a step-change in global and domestic connectivity, a shot in the arm for tourism, and a major boost to exports and freight. Above all, if we can finally get a move on with the project after so much delay it will put a neon sign above the UK that we are open for business." Roy Rickhuss CBE, Community General Secretary, said: "We welcome Heathrow's support for the UK Steel Charter and the airport's firm commitment to ensuring that the infrastructure required for the new runway will use steel made here in the UK. This is a generational opportunity to procure hundreds of thousands of tonnes of UK-made steel – boosting our steel industry and supporting high quality jobs across the UK. Through this work we can showcase the high-quality steel products made here in Britain to a global audience. It's important that we seize this opportunity and use it as a springboard to ensure that other major infrastructure projects on British soil utilise UK Steel." "The benefits of the expansion at Heathrow won’t just be felt in London, but across the whole of the UK.” Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said: “This is great news. An expanded Heathrow is crucial for our country’s future prosperity. The extra runway will create tens of thousands of good, union jobs, and benefit communities everywhere. GMB welcomes the prospect of a bigger, better Heathrow – now let's get on with it.”