Plans to give workers more rights to request flexible working could impact on the way businesses operate, a leading employment lawyer has warned.

Joanne Stronach, Head of Employment Law and HR at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said employers needed to be prepared for the new legislation which will give workers the right to request flexible working from the first day of their employment.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has negotiated a new Deeper Devolution Deal securing wide ranging new powers and a budget windfall in excess of £1.5 billion to level up the region.

Under the Deeper Devolution Deal – announced by Government in yesterday’s Spring Budget – the WMCA has secured new and significant longer-term funding agreements including 100% business rates retention for 10 years, worth £450 million.

Swedish heat pump company Qvantum today received the German ISH Design Plus award for their brand-new apartment heat pump. The heat pump is so compact that it can be installed, for example, under a kitchen sink and will be able to replace the gas burners that are now to be phased out in the cities of Europe.

“It’s a fantastic acknowledgment for us to be awarded this prize”, says Qvantum CEO Fredrik Rosenqvist. The company has been producing heat pumps for more than 30 years and is currently in a rapid expansion phase.

The developer of a £50m property scheme in the centre of Derby has appointed an East Midlands construction specialist to deliver the project over two years. Elevate Property Group, which is responsible for the iconic Trent Bridge Quays development in Nottingham, has selected Bode Contracting to build the 258 apartments that will offer high quality, affordable city centre living for young professionals, couples, and downsizers.

Construction professionals spanning the Midlands' supply chains are set to gather today (Wednesday 22 Mar) in Birmingham for the latest Constructing Excellence event to discuss how the industry must commit more towards promoting social value and inclusion.

Presented by the CE Birmingham and Black Country Club of Constructing Excellence Midlands, the ‘Social Value and Inclusion... why it’s critical for your business’ conference will take place from 8:30am-10:30am at The Macdonald Burlington Hotel - with CE members and non-members encouraged to secure their ticket.

Midlands-based engineering business adi Group’s Environmental division has ramped up its capacity in response to the continued rise in demand for environmentally compliant solutions. Having delivered water treatment, air/steam quality and pre-treatment solutions to huge global brands including Müller, PepsiCo, Cadbury and Coca Cola, adi Environmental is already on a path of undeniable success.

The division’s team has increased from 12 to 18 skilled water treatment and air hygiene specialists in just 16 months, allowing the division to provide new key services and lay the foundation for continued growth.