Business News

Black Country Business Festival (BCBF) looks set to help local businesses bounce back after the pandemic by offering opportunities to showcase their innovation and resilience. The annual two-week Festival is back from 4 to 15 October for the fourth year and is going to be bigger and better than ever.

With restrictions easing in the next few months many companies will be starting to hold in-person events once again. As part of the new event application process event hosts can choose to hold their event in person, digitally (using either Zoom or their own choice of platform), or as a hybrid event, whereby people can physically attend, but the event will also be live streamed to capture all audiences.  

The Festival would not be successful without its sponsors, partners and supporters. Not only do they help the Festival survive, but they also aid in showcasing to the rest of the UK what the Black Country has to offer. This is now more important than ever, as businesses begin to emerge from lockdown.

Becoming a partner is more than a financial backing. The BCBF team will work with each business on an individual basis to ensure they get what they need from the partnership. There are four levels of partnerships: headline, partner, affiliate and supporter, which can all be individually tailored.

In addition to this, there are a number of benefits to getting involved with the BCBF, the most obvious being the exposure across the region and beyond. Last year saw a phenomenal amount of international guest attendance with 60 people registering for events from 19 different countries.

The total reach in 2020 was 161,560,419, which was a nearly 100 million increase from 2019. Another benefit is the BCBF team who will be on hand to aid partners with everything from event idea generation and planning, to help and guidance with the application form.

Partners will have regular meetings with the team to discuss their event and how they will work within the Festival programme. Talbots Law have signed up to support the BCBF for a fourth year to show their loyalty to the Black Country business community.

Talbots Law are one the largest independent law firms in the region offering a full range of services to businesses, individuals and families since 1828. They are proud of their heritage in the Black Country and have the expertise of a ‘big city’ firm with friendly local delivery and value for money.

Festival Partner, Matt Wistow, Client Relationship & Business Development Director at Talbots Law said “The Black Country Business Festival has given the business community a huge number of opportunities in the last four years. As a business we have developed countless new relationships thanks to our involvement in previous years and look forward to this continuing in October.

“We have backed the Festival since the start, and we want to encourage more businesses in the Black Country to support and get involved to help take BCBF to the next level and bring the community back together.”

After more than 200 years of trading, Debenhams has now shut its remaining stores, bringing an end to what was once a high street giant. Andy Rudkin, partner and solicitor specialising in insolvency and restructuring at Nelsons, discusses how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted retailers and their supply chain, as well as the changes to insolvency rules that have been brought in to support businesses.

“With the involuntary closure that was forced on many businesses by the UK-wide lockdown in 2020, previously successful companies quickly felt the strain, becoming more concerned about their future viability.

“Many retailers simply did not have the income or cash reserves needed to pay their creditors during that time. However, this was not due to a failure of their business plan or a lack of demand, but because the economy was driven to a dramatic and unprecedented halt as a result of Covid-19.”

Changes to insolvency laws to support businesses impacted by Covid-19

“On 30 March 2020, the government announced proposed amendments to existing insolvency laws, setting out a number of measures designed to give businesses breathing space, so as to enable them to weather the storm. These proposals were made into a bill that was fast-tracked through parliament and brought into legislation on 26 June as the new Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020.

“The introduction of the act represented the most significant reform to the insolvency framework in a generation. Made up of a combination of temporary and permanent measures, it’s something that has never been seen in English law before. The legislation includes:

1. The introduction of a company moratorium:

“This is a completely new procedure modelled on the USA’s chapter 11 bankruptcy process where directors of insolvent, or likely to become insolvent, companies can apply for a 20-business-day moratorium period. The moratorium provides businesses with a statutory breathing space from creditors within which they are able to formulate a rescue plan and work out turnaround options without incurring significant additional costs while an insolvency practitioner acts as the monitor of the company.

“While a moratorium lasts for an initial period of 20 business days, there is the potential to extend it for a further period of 20 business days without consent and with the possibility of further extensions of up to one year with creditor consent – although the court has the ability to extend the moratorium for such period as it thinks fit, which could be for a period in excess of one year.

“However, it’s worth noting that a moratorium is not intended to delay insolvency where it is inevitable and should only be brought into place where a rescue of the company is likely.”

2. The introduction of a restructuring plan:

“Similar to a scheme of arrangement, which many companies already use to assist with the restructuring of debts, the new restructuring plan allows companies at risk of insolvency to propose a kind of compromise or arrangement between the company and its members and/or creditors.

“As with a scheme, members and creditors are divided into classes based on similarity or their rights before or as a result of the plan. This is then put before the court for the court to approve the classification and holding of a vote by the relevant classes of members and creditors.

“If approval is obtained from the court (with or without changes), the proposal is sent to members and creditors, voted on and, provided that it is approved and delivers a better outcome than the next alternative (i.e. liquidation or administration), put back before the court.

“The court then decides whether to sanction the vote or note. The court will take into account elements such as whether the classes have been properly formulated, whether each creditor receives more than they would under the next best alternative, and whether the plan is fair and equitable. It is important to note that a secured creditors rejection of the proposed restructuring plan can be overridden by the court in certain circumstances.”

3. Temporary suspension of wrongful trading:

“Under current insolvency laws, directors may be personally liable to contribute towards the assets of the company if they allow the company to continue to trade past the date upon which the director knew or ought to have known that the company could not avoid liquidation or administration. 

“There was a great concern that many directors could fall foul of wrongful trading provisions given the current situation with Covid-19, especially where decisions made by directors were made genuinely in the belief that they were the best way to get through the pandemic. Therefore, the act makes temporary changes to the existing wrongful trading provisions by effectively suspending the offence of wrongful trading.

“The act directs the court to assume that the director is not responsible for any worsening of the financial position of the company or its creditors during the relevant period (from 1 March 2020). It has been made clear by the government that this is not a rebuttable presumption. It is important to note that this does not suspend any of the directors’ other duties. Directors are still subject to their usual statutory and fiduciary duties and it is important to remember that when a company gets into financial difficulties, the duties of the directors flip from looking after the interests of the shareholders, to looking after the interests of the creditors.”

Think ahead

“The emergency methods that have been introduced to support companies are likely to have caused a reduction in insolvencies. And while in the short-term, these measures have provided protection for many businesses and people’s livelihoods, it is important to remember they are only temporary.

“As they start to unwind, the number of insolvencies should be expected to increase – particularly in the sectors that have been severely hit and are on a far from stable financial footing, such as retail – as the true impact of the coronavirus pandemic come to be exposed. However, when that will be specifically remains unknown.”

Leading and award-winning Birmingham recruitment agency Encore Personnel, which supplies more than 3,500 temporary staff each week, has signed a pact with the Armed Forces which enshrines its commitment to supporting ex-service men and women in finding work and thriving in the workplace.

Encore, which has 10 branches across the region, including one in Birmingham city centre, employs more than 200 staff and specialises in warehousing, manufacturing, logistics, driving and engineering recruitment. The business, which has a projected turnover of £100m, has worked around the clock during the pandemic to support vital supply chains and essential services – and now it has decided to further cement its commitment to ethical and exemplary recruitment practices by signing the Armed Forces Covenant, an agreement which states that a business will do all it can to ensure ex-military do not face discrimination.

Inspired by the suggestion of James Simpson, who joined Encore in 2020 after serving 5 years with the 26 Regiment Royal Artillery, 159 Battery (Gutersloh, Germany) and 132 Battery (Newcastle), Encore’s commitment to supporting ex-service men and women is both an internal and external pledge. A Business Development Consultant in Encore’s Driving division, he said: “As soon as I was settled at Encore, I knew it was a business that really cared about its employees, their wellbeing and future prospects.

“Having served in the forces, I know first-hand how it feels to step out of the routine of military life into the working world. It can be unwelcoming and daunting for some. Encore’s senior team have done everything they can to make my transition into civilian work-life enjoyable and rewarding.

“So, I pitched the idea of signing the Armed Forces Covenant to the Board of Directors and they were all in positive unison – it was signed straight away. It basically means that we will do our utmost as a business to give a fair shot to people who’ve left the forces, be that as candidates for our customers or new recruits to our own teams.”

James added that there was likely to be a large uplift in the number of ex-military looking for work in the coming years as the army scales back its numbers as a result of the recent Defence Review – so now more than ever before it is important that other businesses follow suit.

He added: “I was astounded to learn that less than 0.5% of all registered recruitment businesses in the UK have signed the Covenant. It would be fantastic to see more agencies follow our lead.” Area Manager responsible for Encore’s Logistics Division, Andrew Fletcher, added that James was a real asset to his team and his passion for equality for those who have served the country in the forces was commendable.

He said: “James joined our division with a raft of transferable skills which are clearly a reflection of his training and experience in the military. He’s reactive, reliable and relentless in following a lead – all of which are key core abilities in recruitment. It’s a pleasure to have him on board and thriving as part of the Encore family.”

Managing Director at Encore Pete Taylor added: “We’re honoured to be supporting armed forces leavers and their families by signing this Covenant. It really was a no-brainer for us, a simple and very effective way of both showing gratitude to ex-service men and women for the sacrifices they have made for our country and our collective safety, as well as furthering our commitment to equal opportunities and a level playing field for all candidates and our own teams.”

Businesses in Sandwell have been thanked for their ongoing support in preventing the spread of Covid-19 as lockdown measures ease.

Council chiefs say the vast majority of businesses which reopened from 12 April – as well as those that remained open for essential items earlier in the year – have followed government rules and made sure the necessary safety measures are in place for staff and shoppers alike.

With the next step in relaxing restrictions due on Monday (May 17), the council is reminding everyone to keep following the current government rules at each point of the lockdown easing to help prevent a new spike in infections.

And if a shop or business isn’t taking steps to keep you safe – for example if there’s poor social distancing, if they’re not encouraging the use of face coverings or if a pub or restaurant isn’t taking contact details – then the message is vote with your feet and don’t go there.

Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police are continuing to visit businesses across Sandwell to check compliance with the latest rules, offer advice and guidance and, if needed, take further action if the business doesn’t comply.

Advice for businesses on staying Covid-secure is available from the council’s Think Sandwell team on the government website. Visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest government rules on what you can and can’t do.

Since April 12, the council and police have visited businesses and responded to household gatherings and provided guidance. We have carried out over 170 visits to premises to check compliance and offer advice and guidance. Three hospitality venues have received a Prohibition Notice for holding indoor gatherings that breached the regulations in place.

The police continue to take action against people illegally hosting or attending large house gatherings or parties, with £200 fixed penalty notices issued where breaches of the government restrictions have occurred.

Deputy Council Leader Councillor Maria Crompton said: “We know it’s been a very difficult time for businesses – and we really want to thank all those businesses and their staff who have been following the rules and doing everything they can to keep people safe.

“Our environmental protection team, along with the police, have been visiting businesses across the borough to check compliance and offer advice and guidance. They’ve made more than 170 visits since 12 April alone, and environmental health and trading standards officers have carried out around 20 follow-up visits where concerns have been identified.

“Overall compliance has been very good and the majority of businesses welcome the additional support and guidance. We want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who’s played their part as well as to our staff and the police for the work they have done.

“With a further easing of restrictions due next week, we would urge everyone to keep following the rules for everyone’s safety and to know the council and police will still be visiting premises and taking action on any reports of non-compliance. The last thing we need is another spike in infections. We’ve come so far and infection rates have fallen dramatically, but there is still a killer virus out there.”

Since March 15, The Health and Safety Executive has also been conducting spot checks on Sandwell businesses with 1,149 contacted to date. As few as 17 (1.5%) of those inspected required a follow-up from the council’s environmental health team.

Small businesses with ten staff and fewer are reminded they are now eligible to collect rapid test kits from West Bromwich Town Hall. Regular testing is the best way to keep yourself, your staff and all your loved ones safe. Just turn up at the town hall and collect your tests, 1-5pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

People are also reminded of the importance of getting a Covid-19 PCR test and self-isolating, together with their household, if they develop Covid-19 symptoms.

Birmingham City Council has officially launched its Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Credit Scheme. 

The £10m scheme aims to support people working in the Clean Air Zone, and who earn less than £30,000 per annum, with the option of scrapping a vehicle that would otherwise be subject to the daily fee. In return for scrapping a vehicle, successful applicants to the scheme receive a £2,000 grant which can be used on a ‘travel credit’ or to purchase a vehicle that meets the emission standards of the Clean Air Zone.

The council has partnered with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the UK’s largest independent car retailer Motorpoint, to operate the scheme. The travel credit can be applied to a TfWM Swift Card which is redeemed against public transport travel on trains, buses and the Metro.  Alternatively, the grant can be used to purchase a Clean Air Zone-compliant vehicle from Motorpoint’s branches in Aston and Oldbury. 

Councillor Waseem Zaffar MBE, Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and the Environment, said: “Every year, up to 1,000 people in Birmingham are dying prematurely from conditions linked to air pollution including cancer, heart and lung disease.  This is an unacceptable situation. Clean air should be a basic right, not a luxury and just because it is invisible it does not mean we should ignore it.

“The Clean Air Zone will help improve air quality within our city and the Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Credit Scheme helps tackle the source of the problem by removing the most polluting vehicles from our roads. 

“We also need to encourage more people to use public transport as an alternative to the car, especially for shorter journeys, and that is why I am particularly excited by the partnership with TfWM.” Those interested in the scheme will be able to submit an application and if approved, will be passed to Motorpoint to arrange for their vehicle to be scrapped.

Once the old non-compliant vehicle has been scrapped by Motorpoint, the applicant will then receive £2,000 credit off the price of a car from Motorpoint, or a £2,000 credit on a Swift travel card to be used on West Midlands trains, buses and Metro. The Swift travel card credit can be shared amongst family and friends if required and will typically cover the cost of an average commute for two to three years.

Councillor Ian Ward, in his capacity as West Midlands Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Transport said: “The Swift card offer represents a golden opportunity for people to make that shift from car to public transport which will help improve our air quality , reduce congestion on our roads and help us to achieve our #WM2041 target for a net zero-carbon region.

“Transport for West Midlands and our transport operators are investing in improving public transport throughout the region – including extending the Metro tram to Edgbaston later this year and opening up the Sprint rapid bus corridor on the A34 and A45. So there has never been a better time to swap a costly, high-polluting older car for a £2,000 Swift card and give public transport a go.”

The Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Scheme is open to people who live outside of the Clean Air Zone and who meet all of the following criteria:

• Have been the registered owner/ keeper of a non-compliant vehicle since 10 September 2018
• Earn less than £30,000 a year
• Work at least 18 hours per week at premises within the Clean Air Zone

Kevin Cartwright, General Manager of Motorpoint Birmingham and Oldbury, said: “We’re delighted to see the Clean Air Zone Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Scheme go live and with it the opportunity to further reduce the levels of nitrogen dioxide emissions in the city.

“Motorpoint has hundreds of low mileage, nearly new vehicles all under warranty available at its branches across the city – every one of which is Clean Air Zone compliant. Plus, with our Sameday Driveaway service, people can choose, test drive and buy, all in the space of a couple of hours.

“We would definitely recommend anyone thinking of taking advantage of the scheme to go online and start their car buying journey at motorpoint.co.uk or alternatively pop into their nearest Motorpoint branch.” Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone will go live on 1 June 2021 and charge owners of the most polluting vehicles to drive within the A4540 Middleway (but not the Middleway itself).

The newly-unveiled Paradise Public Transport Improvement Scheme looks to respond to the city’s air pollution challenges by prioritising the road for buses, trams, taxis (Hackney Carriage) and bicycles. Private cars will continue to be able to use the tunnel beneath Paradise for through trips on the A38, whilst maintaining access to key locations within the area.

Paradise Circus, renamed Lyon Queensway, was initially closed to through traffic in September 2018, in order to facilitate phase one of the Birmingham Westside Metro extension to the current Library terminus and the Paradise redevelopment. Since then, poor air quality in Birmingham city centre has come under increasing scrutiny. The road is within the city’s Clean Air Zone, which launches on June 1. The Zone is being introduced as part of Birmingham’s commitment to improve air quality by reducing the volume of polluting vehicles entering the city.

The city was first given a Ministerial Direction in 2017 to reduce levels of NO2 in the air to a maximum average of 40μg/m3 in the shortest possible time. The Council believes that the Zone will support this objective, whilst also enabling other important changes across the city such as reducing the levels of particulate matter and carbon emissions.

To support this work, the council has turned its focus in recent years to improving the local environment; facilitating safer active travel (walking and cycling) and enhancing access priority for public transport – including Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) cross city bus initiative.

The government has also committed to fund a series of new bus priority measures in the West Midlands. These schemes will support the easing of bus delays in the city centre and support the wider delivery of cross-city bus routes.

Birmingham City Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, Councillor Waseem Zaffar, said: “I am absolutely committed to de-carbonising transport, reducing air pollution and improving travel and transport across the city. For the health of our citizens we simply cannot continue to have the number of high polluting private vehicles travelling through this area as they were previously.

“Transforming the city centre is one of the big moves outlined in the draft Birmingham Transport Plan. Fewer cars and more people travelling by bus, tram or train means less congestion and better air quality for everybody.

“To achieve this vision, we must ensure that public transport is constantly improving to make journeys quicker, easier and more reliable.”

The council is proposing to reopen part of Lyon Queensway to buses, taxis and cycles only, and create a new access road between the two A38 slip roads over the main A38 route. This will allow the Metro to operate efficiently and the new cross-city bus routes to have priority over other transport modes.

It will also mean that people can still access the Paradise development and other key locations, as:

• All traffic will continue to be able to use the tunnel beneath the Paradise development for through trips on the A38;
• Local traffic will be able to use the A38 (from the south) to access Holliday Street, buildings in the Paradise development, Town Hall and Swallow Street;
• Local traffic will be able to use the A38 (from the north) to access buildings in the north part of the Paradise development;
• Local traffic will be able to use the Middleway (B4135 Summer Hill Road) to access Cambridge Street and Paradise car park; and
• Buses and taxis will be able to use Lyon Queensway, accesses from the A38, Centenary Square (Broad Street), Sandpits/Parade and Brunel Street.

A simple U-turn facility will be built by Midland Metro Alliance, working on behalf of Birmingham City Council, between the two Suffolk Street (A38) slip roads to allow access for public transport and local access to the area for local business and residents. This would also be restricted to:

• Bus services, Hackney Carriages, cycles;
• Paradise access 1 and 2 traffic (including Town Hall);
• Holliday St traffic that can’t exit under canal bridge; and
• Arena Dandara servicing access (located on the slip road).

The proposed loop allows tram priority as well as access for Paradise traffic whilst mitigating against excessive queuing on the slip roads and across the new tram tracks. Further details on the construction will be shared in the coming weeks.

The initial proposals were shared with key stakeholders, including site managers and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) earlier this year. The public consultation will run via the Council’s BeHeard platform from today (11 May) to 1 June 2021.

Jason Wouhra, president of Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), has said that the costs of PCR Covid tests, required for leisure travellers returning from ‘green list’ countries, must be made more affordable.

Mr Wouhra, also chief executive of Lioncroft Wholesale Ltd, made the comments following the publication of the government’s new traffic light system for international travel.

From 17 May, leisure passengers returning from ‘green list’ countries to England will not be required to quarantine.

But these passengers will be required to complete a pre-departure test up to 72 hours before travel and a single PCR test on or before day two of their arrival in England.

Mr Wouhra said: “The government’s new traffic light system for international travel saw 12 destinations added to the green list, but this is a cautious and narrow list, with various destinations on it having their own restrictions on international travel. We will have to see how the list adapts and changes in the coming weeks to see the impact on the travel industries.

“The PCR test can cost between £105 and £500 according to the government list, which is simply too much for some families to have to take a series of. The cost of these tests need to come down in price for all to be able to afford it.

“Notwithstanding the above, the safety of all must be paramount. We need to apply the same rigorous use of data and evidence that’s underpinned domestic policy when it comes to restarting international travel. We must work together to bring an end to the coronavirus pandemic, here in the UK and globally.”

More than half of all managers have experienced burnout at work because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a fifth considering quitting their job as a result, according to new research from not-for-profit healthcare provider, Benenden Health.

Assessing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s workforce one year on, research has found that as many as 53% of managers in the West Midlands have suffered from burnout at work since the UK was first placed into lockdown, with a fifth (22%) of all managers either considering, or actually quitting their job as a result of the strain on their mental wellbeing.

With the Office for National Statistics reporting that the number of individuals experiencing symptoms of depression has almost doubled since the start of the pandemic, Benenden Health has examined the impact on the nation’s workforce. This has revealed the effect of COVID-19 on the working lives of managers and their subsequent experiences of burnout, which is the occurrence of exhaustion, stress, cynicism and/or feelings of reduced professional ability due to demands at work.

The main causes of burnout at work for those in the West Midlands in the past year were shown to be anxiety about the future (48%), a lack of sleep (40%) and limited social interaction (27%), whilst nearly a third (29%) of burnout sufferers in the region revealed that working longer hours had contributed.

Despite half of all managers in the region (48%) wanting to take time off work due to burnout brought on by the pressures of the pandemic, only one in ten have done so (12%), with others revealing they couldn’t due to their workload being too high, their team needing them, fearing an absence would impact their career progression and that senior management wouldn’t let them do so.

The survey of managers in the West Midlands also revealed that almost a fifth (18%) of those who have experienced burnout in the past year have sought medical support, whilst a quarter (24%) either took time off as annual leave or a physical health sick day to hide the real reason for their absence.

With the coronavirus pandemic placing such a serious strain on the nation’s workforce, businesses in the West Midlands are now facing a mental wellbeing crisis as individuals suffer in silence, having a knock-on effect on the culture, retention, productivity and overall performance of organisations.

On a personal level, a third of managers in the region reported that work has caused increased anxiety in the past year (33%), a quarter said it has caused mood swings (25%), another quarter revealed their diet has got worse (25%), one in ten have consumed more alcohol and a further 10% said their relationship with their partner has deteriorated.

As the nation begins to slowly roll back COVID-19 restrictions, more than one in ten managers in the West Midlands (13%) revealed that they are worried about being encouraged to work from an office before they are comfortable doing so, whilst a similar amount (11%) believe that the easing of restrictions will put more pressure on them at work. With 15% of managers in the region saying that they fear the culture within their business will get worse once restrictions ease, businesses may also need to consider how they maintain a feeling of togetherness as life returns to something more like normality.

The future of traditional office working was also revealed to be in jeopardy as more than half (58%) of managers in the West Midlands said they would like to work from home – at least part-time – on a permanent basis.

Naomi Thompson, Head of OD at Benenden Health, said: “It goes without saying that the past year has been incredibly challenging for individuals across the nation, both in our personal lives and at work.

“Businesses too have suffered immensely from the COVID-19 pandemic and these pressures have filtered down to management, who have been vital in keeping operations going at work whilst managing their own lives at home.

“What we are seeing is that there is a burnout epidemic across the nation’s managers, but too often these individuals feel too helpless, worried and embarrassed to open up and seek support for their mental wellbeing concerns.

“An open, two-way conversation must now take place to ensure employees are able to disclose and address any mental wellbeing concerns without fear. It is also important that employers are in a position to support appropriately and effectively, to the benefit of both individual employees, and the business as a whole. In building a happy, healthy and productive workforce, employers will also have to consider how their operations change as restrictions ease, ensuring that employee wellbeing is at the forefront of these conversations.”

Benenden Health enables businesses to offer affordable, high quality, private healthcare to every employee. This includes round the clock care such as mental health helplines, 24/7 GP plus access to services such as mental health counselling support and medical treatment so employees can have peace of mind that they can ask for help whenever they need it.

A shopkeeper from Handsworth pleaded guilty of dumping waste from their Nechells-based store in a road half a mile from their own home – and has been made to pay almost £1,400 for their offences.

During a hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, the court heard that approximately 40 bags of waste and cardboard was found on Stafford Road in Handsworth by a member of the council’s Waste Enforcement Team on 11 November 2019.

A search of the waste found till receipts and invoices linked to Subi Supermarket on Revesby Walk in Nechells, in the city, about three miles away.

The investigator then went to the supermarket and was told by the shop owner’s husband that they had no waste contract but gave their rubbish to a man who collected it on Sundays.

The shop owner, Mohanampal Sutharsan, aged 40, Handsworth, was interviewed under caution and repeated what her husband had said about waste being collected on Sundays. She had no receipts for transfer of waste or a commercial waste contract for her business, which is a legal requirement for firms.

She confirmed that she had disposed of 2-3 bags of commercial waste at home with her domestic waste for two-and-a-half years and had only deposited her waste once on Stafford Road – a short walk from where she lives.

Sutharsan now has a commercial waste contract as requested, but despite this and her other mitigation, she was still guilty of two charges under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Magistrates handed her fines totalling £350, a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £1,000 – a grand total of £1,382.

Councillor John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks, said: “It is shocking and saddening to hear of cases like this.

“We all have a shared responsibility to look after our environment, so it is staggering to think that somebody has allowed for their waste to be transported over 3 miles across the city to be dumped in a road a stone’s throw away from where they live themselves.

“Businesses like this are taking advantage of the vast majority of other firms that operate legally and fairly. I’d urge every business to check that they have a waste contract in place to safely dispose of all the trade waste that they produce. Don’t think you can save a few quid, because when we catch you, we will prosecute.

“We won’t stand back and allow this to happen – court cases like this prove that we are determined to get to the root of problems with the street scene in Birmingham and where we have credible evidence, we will continue to prosecute. If there is one positive, it is that the shop keeper now has a legitimate waste contract in place.”

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has released new figures that show Birmingham tops the list of the UK’s 30 worst-affected postal districts for ‘Crash for Cash’ scams.

‘Crash for Cash’ is a common insurance scam which sees fraudsters invent or deliberately cause road traffic collisions, often involving innocent people, to try and get compensation.

IFB analysis of 2.7 million motor insurance claims made across the UK in between 1/10/2019 to 31/12/2020 has identified over 170,000 claims which could be linked to suspected ‘Crash for Cash’ networks.

The hotspots analysis confirms Birmingham remains the most prevalent area in the UK for the dangerous scam, with the B25 postal district ranking highest in the country. 

‘Crash for Cash’ scams can range from paper-based fabrications, or vehicles being damaged behind closed doors, through to the most dangerous where collisions are being caused by fraudsters with innocent road users.

IFB investigations have found single gangs can be behind thousands of orchestrated collisions in some areas, with the combined value of their fraudulent claims running into the millions.

In the top hotspot area of Birmingham, the IFB recently worked with City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) to convict a serial ‘Crash for Cash’ fraudster who had spent over two years luring innocent people into car crashes. 

Stephen Dalton, Head of Intelligence and Investigations at the IFB, said: “Our year-round work with West Midlands Police and the insurance industry helps to prevent a great number of ‘Crash for Cash’ scams throughout Birmingham, but the city sadly continues to be a hotspot for insurance fraud. We’re calling on the public’s support to help us stop these dangerous scams. We encourage everyone on the road to be vigilant and to report any suspicions of a ‘Crash for Cash’ scam to the IFB’s Cheatline on 0800 422 0421.”

It is hoped that the announcement of the UK’s top ‘Crash for Cash’ hotspots will encourage communities to be vigilant as more drivers start to take to the roads.

Freddie Lovejoy, an LV= General Insurance customer, fell victim to a ‘Crash for Cash’ after his Land Rover was induced into a collision on the A1. A court case was successfully fought after the fraudsters attempted to claim for compensation. He said: “You never expect a crime like ‘Crash for Cash’ to happen until it does, and I would strongly recommend drivers read up about it. There can be physical and mental impacts when involved in a car incident, and to think criminals do it on purpose is scary.

“At the time I was using a dashcam which provided crucial evidence for the case, so that would be my top tip to anyone. I was lucky to get support and justice, but others might not be so fortunate, so creating more awareness for the public is important.”

Gareth Homer, Detective Constable at West Midlands Police’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “For the last two years we’ve been running an investigation into a gang suspected of involvement in dozens of ‘Crash for Cash’ scams in the West Midlands that have cost insurers around £100,000 – but possibly much more as part of an organised nationwide scam. We’ve arrested three men so far, executed warrants at several addresses, and our enquiries continue. These frauds bump up people’s insurance premiums and also risk injury to innocent motorists. We’re working with the Insurance Fraud Bureau to tackle these offences.”

Detective Chief Inspector Edelle Michaels, Head of the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), said: “‘Crash for Cash’ fraud is damaging to the public in many ways. Most critical is the threat it poses to the safety of road users, as criminals target innocent drivers by deliberately crashing into them. These induced collisions could have potentially grave consequences and the traumatic experience could have a lasting effect on the victim. We have seen time and time again that ‘Crash for Cash’ fraudsters do not care about the safety of their victims, with a trio even targeting a pregnant woman in 2019.

“The staging, or fabrication of collisions is often seen as a victimless crime. In reality, this fraud costs everyone by increasing the price of insurance premiums, meaning that honest policy holders are faced with higher costs.

“IFED is committed to keeping the people of Birmingham safe by combatting ‘Crash for Cash’ criminals, whether they are opportunistic fraudsters or part of a wider Organised Crime Group. In December 2020, a successful IFED investigation led to the sentencing of a Birmingham-based fraudster who had executed multiple ‘Crash for Cash’ plots in and around the city. This type of crime will not be tolerated and IFED will continue to work with industry and local police forces to bring offenders to justice.” 

James Dalton, Director of General Insurance Policy at the Association of British Insurers, said: “These criminal gangs are often highly organised and put lives at risk. The amounts that they fraudulently claim can be huge, and can impact on the motor premiums paid by honest motorists. With more vehicles on the roads as we emerge from the pandemic restrictions, so the potential targets for these criminals increases. This is why it is so important for all motorists to be on their guard - if you suspect an incident is suspicious do not put yourself at risk, but report your suspicions to the IFB's confidential Cheatline." 

Clare Lunn, Director of Financial Crime at LV= General Insurance, commented: “Crash for Cash’ creates serious risk for the public and their safety, and our top priority is to protect our customers and consumers from fraud. As we come out of lockdown and more traffic returns to our roads, drivers need to be ever more vigilant.

“Threats like ‘Crash for Cash’ continue to evolve, and it’s vital motorists understand how to spot the signs and report it. As a major insurer, working with the industry including the IFB means we can collaboratively identify and convict criminals who attempt this type of activity, to keep our roads as safe as possible.”

Induced car collisions are often caused by fraudsters who slam on their brakes on busy junctions and roundabouts in the hope that the driver behind won’t stop in time. Some fraudsters also do this with an accomplice that drives erratically in front of them, so they can divert the victim’s suspicions by blaming the driver in front.

In addition, there have been rising reports of innocent drivers being crashed into by fraudsters after being encouraged to pull out of side roads, or when creeping forward for a better view.

Keep a good distance

Always keep a good distance from the vehicle in front. According to the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) the time required to safely stop is:

·         2 seconds in dry conditions.

·         4 seconds in wet conditions.

·         20 seconds in icy or snowy conditions.

Stay alert

·         Drive safe and stick to the highway code.

·         Look ahead to spot any potential hazards including unusual driving behaviour.

·         Focus on vehicles and not just their lights, as fraudsters often disable brake lights.

·         Be cautious when pulling out of a side road, especially if encouraged by another driver.

·         If other drivers or their passengers are behaving suspiciously, or the condition of their vehicle is poor (such as rear dents), stay calm and keep back.

Know the signs of a ‘Crash for Cash’

·         The driver or their passengers appear to be unphased after the collision.

·         The driver or their passengers appear to exaggerate injuries.

·         Pre-written insurance information is handed over.

Remember to note as much information as possible about the driver, any passengers and circumstances of the collision. This can include written information, pictures, dashcam footage and noting CCTV in the area.

Evidence of a ‘Crash for Cash’ scam can be reported to the IFB’s confidential and anonymous Cheatline (powered by CrimeStoppers).

Gilbarco Veeder-Root, the worldwide technology leader for retail and commercial fuelling operations, is accelerating its transition to e-mobility, boosting Europe’s charging infrastructure roll-out.

Through a series of strategic investments and innovations in the past 18 months Gilbarco Veeder-Root now has the ability to offer any fuel retailer, business or organisation a complete solution for electric vehicle charging. It removes barriers many businesses face when offering an electric vehicle charging infrastructure to customers or employees.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root offers a smart and safe end-to-end system, including compact, powerful, and low maintenance chargers, along with a full network of support services including paying and billing mechanisms. These systems are modular and scalable, allowing retailers and businesses to keep pace with the growing demand for electrified vehicles. There is also the added peace of mind of being backed and supported by Gilbarco Veeder-Root and its 150 year history of advanced energy distribution technologies, know-how and service.

Vice-President Gilbarco Veeder-Root Global eMobility, Kevin Hughes “Gilbarco Veeder-Root has been keeping the world moving for over 150 years and as we rapidly transition to a world of e-mobility we are intent on supporting and boosting the charging infrastructure.

Our advanced technologies, honed from decades of fuel distribution experience, are the ideal off-the-shelf solution to any business wanting to offer electric vehicle charging. These advanced systems are designed to take away the issues in running a charging network. Crucially, they employ the same proven customer service and widespread support ecosystem that Gilbarco Veeder-Root is famous for.

We also know that it’s not just fuel retailers that need to offer a hassle-free charging operation. Many businesses have many pain points around transitioning to electrification in order to offer a seamless service to their customers and we have all of the answers.

The race is on to grow Europe’s charging infrastructure and we are already on track to being a front-runner.” 

Gilbarco Veeder-Root’s e-mobility roll-out will now continue at pace and there will be many developments and innovations to be announced shortly. 

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham pledged today to work with Andy Street (pictured) to help the region get back on its feet after being “shaken to the core” by Covid-19 and Brexit.

The Conservative candidate will begin his second term as mayor after it was announced that he defeated Hodge Hill Labour MP Liam Byrn in Thursday’s election.

Before being elected mayor in 2017, Mr Street was boss of retailer John Lewis for more than a decade. He also led the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership as chairman from 2011 to 2016.

Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC), said: “We congratulate Andy on his re-election as West Midlands Mayor – it’s been a hard-fought campaign which has taken place in the most extraordinary circumstances.

“Having worked closely with Andy and the senior team at the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) for a number of years, the Chamber look forward to building on that spirit of collaboration and ensuring that the voice of business is central to the mayor’s plans for revitalising the region.

“During the election campaign, the Chamber worked to get businesses’ needs front and centre on candidates’ agendas with our manifesto, produced with and for our members: Rebounding for Business: Vision for the West Midlands Mayor.

“It was great to see Andy back a number of the actions we called for around getting the region back on track as we emerge from the pandemic, green growth opportunities and maximising the impact of two once in a generation opportunity: HS2 and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

“Between Brexit and COVID-19 it has been quite the year for the business community to put it mildly. As a Chamber we stand ready to work with the mayor and ensure that the West Midlands emerges from the pandemic ready to drive ahead on jobs, investment and innovation, re-establishing our place in the country and the world.”

Customers trading in a petrol or diesel car will be given an extra £750 towards their new electric purchase in May via participating MG dealerships.

The £750 contribution towards any new MG ZS EV, MG5 EV or MG HS Plug-in Hybrid applies to retail buyers who are making the switch from petrol or diesel to plug-in motoring and is in addition to any other retail or finance offer, as well as the part-exchange price offered by the dealer.

Simply place an order for a new electrified MG for delivery this month and the extra £750 discount will be applied to the deal.

MG’s Commercial Director, Guy Pigounakis, said: “In order to make the switch to electric as simple as possible for those considering a plug-in car as their next purchase, MG is committed to giving customers an extra £750 incentive while taking away their old petrol or diesel car without any detriment to its trade-in value.

“We want as many customers as possible to join the electric revolution by making EV and plug-in hybrid models as affordable as possible, offering excellent specifications, terrific value, great driver appeal and an impressive battery-powered range across the line-up.”

MG currently offers three plug-in models in the UK – the established MG ZS EV, the game-changing All New MG5 EV and MG HS Plug-in Hybrid, all backed up by MG’s incredible 7-year warranty and fast-developing dealer network.

The latest summary judgement decision has been handed down by the High Court on whether commercial tenants are obliged to pay rent whilst their premises have been closed due to Coronavirus restrictions.

In the case of Bank of New York Mellon v Sports Direct and others, the judgement stated there was no justification for the tenants to withhold rent as a result of pandemic closures and loss of business.

This judgement closely follows the ruling earlier this month which saw the High Court order retail business The Fragrance Shop to pay more than £160,000 in unpaid rent and service charges to Westfield London’s owners.

Graham McIntyre, partner and property litigation specialist at national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, said: “For the last year some landlords have complained about the raft of tenant protections brought in by the government which have restricted a landlord’s ability to forfeit, use CRAR (bailiff recovery) for non-payment of rent and restricted winding up petitions and statutory demands for most arrears. 

“This case is the latest in a run of cases where the Court has in effect refused to acknowledge a specific Covid defence which would have required words being added to the lease by implication. This is helpful to landlords. 

“The position taken by the legislature (legislating to protect tenants) and the judiciary (refusing to ‘create’ a Covid defence out of case law) creates an interesting tension. While the tenant protections on forfeiture, CRAR and insolvency remain in place, there is nothing to stop landlords from issuing proceedings for arrears. And we are seeing landlords increasingly lose patience with uncommunicative tenants and take this step.”

The tenants in this case were unsuccessful on all grounds. The judge felt sympathy for them whilst also noting that the landlords are, in effect, trustees for others, including pensioners.

The government has published a call for evidence which will ‘support the government’s decision making on the best way to withdraw or replace these measures while preserving tenant businesses and the millions of jobs that they support’.

If there is evidence that productive discussions between landlords and tenants are not taking place, and that this represents a substantial and ongoing threat to jobs and livelihoods, it is likely the government will intervene further.

Graham continued: “Landlord and tenant collaboration is clearly the government’s preferred answer.  The government published a voluntary Code of Practice for commercial property relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic encouraging landlords and tenants to work with each other to ensure viable businesses survive.  

“Now the government has published a call for evidence on the landlord tenant relationship and how the Code is working in practice. The results of this will inform what action it takes after the various tenant legislative protections end. In times of uncertainty the law must provide a solid, practical and predictable foundation and it is for Parliament to change the position.

“In the meantime, our repeated advice is always to keep an ongoing dialogue where there are financial difficulties. While landlords hands are tied to a large extent in terms of forfeiture, CRAR and insolvency, in the usual course landlords will succeed at Court for contractual rent arrears claims.”

The Vice Chair of West Midlands Housing Association Nehemiah Housing Association, Professor Martin Levermore MBE DL, has been appointed by the UK Government as the new Independent Person to advise on the Windrush Compensation Scheme.

The appointment comes after a competitive selection process and on appointing Martin to this important role the Home Office said “Professor Levermore brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to the role and will provide crucial independent oversight and reassurance on the Windrush Compensation Scheme’s operation, policy and effectiveness.”

Launched in April 2019, the Windrush Compensation Scheme aims to ensure that the Windrush generation are fairly compensated for difficulties they may have faced in establishing their lawful status in the UK.

Commenting on his appointment Martin Levermore said: “I am very pleased and also honoured to be appointed. Whilst my role is to oversee the scheme, ensuring its governance and financial remit remains consistent with the aims and objectives of the scheme, I consider part of my function is to build confidence and trust within the community and to encourage as many from the Windrush community that have been wronged to obtain restitution.

“I will be participating in a range of community engagement events with stakeholders and community groups and I will ensure the Home Office proactively seeks out and encourages affected individuals to apply to the Compensation Scheme in order to maximise uptake and improve the interaction between the Home Office and communities through measurable and lasting improvements. It is vitally important to me that we make a positive difference.” 

Nehemiah Housing Association Chief Executive Llewellyn Graham says: “On behalf of Nehemiah Housing Association, I offer Martin many congratulations on this well-earned appointment. It is testament to his dedication and commitment to working with and helping where possible the BME community.

“We look forward to working and assisting Martin with community engagement events and identifying potential claimants in our community.”

As well as being Vice Chair of Nehemiah Housing Association, Professor Levermore is visiting Professor for Health, Education and Life Sciences at Birmingham City University and an Honorary Consultant for Health Innovations with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. He has been published widely in several academic and medical journals; he holds a Senior Associateship with the Royal Society of Medicine.

He was also appointed as Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in 2018 and holds various other positions including National Lay-leader for the Church of God Prophecy, Chair of Trade and Business Group for Birmingham Commonwealth Association, Chair of Medilink West Midlands, Patron of the National Caribbean Monument Charity, Executive committee member of Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, Chair of specific project task force of Jamaican Diaspora UK and committee member to the Association of Jamaican Nationals Birmingham.

The Minister of State for High Speed 2 will be one of the keynote speakers at the downtown in business parliamentary reception in October.

The MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson will be among a range of parliamentarians from the commons and the house of lords who will be in attendance at the event. He will be one of the keynote speakers at the Downtown in Business Parliamentary Reception later this year.

The MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson will be among a range of parliamentarians from the Commons and the House of Lords who will attend the event.

DIB chief executive Frank Mckenna said: “This reception will enable our members to engage with a range of politicians on the big issues that interest business.

“Transport and infrastructure are clearly priorities in terms of our economic recovery and so we are delighted that Andrew Stephenson has agreed to join us to give an update on the crucial HS2 project.”

The reception will take place on the Westminster Palace Terrace at the House of Lords on Monday October 18.