Business News

New regulations for Buy-Now Pay-Later consumers are set to help protect an estimated 10 million customers from unconstrained borrowing while still ensuring those who need it have access to interest-free credit. With more people taking out these credit agreements and the potential risks of consumers being exposed to financial harm; the government is setting out proposed new regulations.

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the UK held off from falling into recession in 2022. However, with the country experiencing zero economic growth between October and December, many businesses are still experiencing tough times. In light of this, UK sales transformation specialist Sales Talent is supporting businesses to remember the value of going back to basics when it comes to selling their goods and services.

Celebrations were in full swing at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham where Housing 21 won the award for Most Innovative Financial Support Scheme at the Housing Digital Innovation Awards. The awards celebrate the dedication, talent and drive of those who strive to make UK housing a place of continuous innovation and excellence.

The Dye & Durham Irish Law Awards 2023 acknowledge excellence and recognise the outstanding achievements and exemplary practices of leading law firms, legal practitioners and in-house legal teams across Ireland.

The Dye & Durham Irish Law Awards 2023 are judged by a panel of experts. All nominations received are sent to judges and reviewed according to set criteria.

Eighty-three organisations will be vying for glory at the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s annual dinner and awards next month. 

The shortlist has been revealed ahead of the region’s biggest celebration of business, which is taking place at the ICC in Birmingham on Thursday 16 March.

The corporate and banking teams at law firm Shakespeare Martineau supported deals valued at almost £3.4 billion during 2022 – including £1.4 billion in the West Midlands. Completing an average of seven deals a week, Shakespeare Martineau’s national team supported more than £400 million worth of deals across technology and healthcare alone, and more than £300 million in the energy and renewables space.

Celebrations were in full swing at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham where Housing 21 won the award for Most Innovative Financial Support Scheme at the Housing Digital Innovation Awards. The awards celebrate the dedication, talent and drive of those who strive to make UK housing a place of continuous innovation and excellence.

A pioneering plan by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to decarbonise entire neighbourhoods has been chosen for a new Government-backed programme aimed at speeding up the UK’s transition to net zero by attracting more private sector investment. As part of Innovate UK's Pioneer Places programme, the WMCA will work with its partners Bankers Without Boundaries and Dark Matter Labs to model the health and wellbeing, social and environmental benefits of its first Net Zero Neighbourhood in Dudley.

Council plans to buy up to 50 homes to help accommodate Afghans and Ukrainians in Birmingham

Plans to purchase up to 50 homes to provide temporary accommodation for Afghan citizens and Ukrainian guests are to be discussed by the city council’s Cabinet next week (14 February). Birmingham City Council was invited to apply for funding from the Government’s £500m Local Authority Housing Fund which will enable it to increase its resettlement pledge for between 80-120 people over the next two financial years, subject to funding being granted.

A team of property planning, architecture and design professionals is enjoying success, following their formation of collective services for landowners. AMS Planning, HG2 Architects and Lloyd Harden Design have joined forces for their combined package, and in four months have collaborated on 25 projects across a range of sectors.

A recently released statement from Digbeth businesses red: “In a meeting held on Thursday 2 February, Digbeth businesses came together to raise concerns around policing, street cleaning, and mitigation and compensation for the ongoing Midlands Metro Alliance works which have directly led to several businesses closing permanently in recent months.

The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer responded to the Bank of England interest rates decision.

Jeremy Hunt said: “Inflation is a stealth tax that is the biggest threat to living standards in a generation, so we support the Bank's action, so we succeed in halving inflation this year.

GreenSquareAccord, one of England’s largest housing and care providers has appointed Maxine Espley MBE into the new post of Chief Operating Officer (COO). She will be leading a joined-up operations function which will provide services for more than 54,000 housing customers across central and south west England, covering 25,000 homes, and within more than 100 care and support services.

After nine years as CEO of Heathrow Airport, John Holland-Kaye has informed the Board of his intention to stand down as CEO during 2023. The Board would like to thank John for his exceptional leadership since 2014, building a strong management team, developing a consumer-focused culture, improving cost efficiency and putting Heathrow at the forefront of global aviation’s decarbonization.

The transformation of the airport during John’s time as CEO has been recognized as Heathrow won a number of significant awards including Sunday Times top 30 employer; one of the top 10 airports in the world (voted by passengers); and edie’s Sustainable Business of the Year Award.

Introducing energy efficient measures to your home can increase its value by up to 15%, making it more attractive when it comes to selling. When selling or renting a property an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is required which shows the rating of the property from A (highest) to G (lowest). Improving your property’s rating by adding energy saving measures is now more important than ever with the current fuel crisis. Here are 5 measures to consider:

The Consulate General of India, Birmingham organised a Business event on 28th January, 2022, at Birmingham Events and Conference Centre to apprise businesses in Birmingham & North England about the UP Global Investors Summit 2023, the flagship Investment Summit of the Government of Uttar Pradesh. This event bought together investors, businesses and responded to the queries regarding the flagship market entry support initiatives provided by the Uttar Pradesh Government.