East Midlands Airport has transitioned over 60 of its operational vehicles to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biodiesel, cutting their carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional diesel. The switch includes airfield operations vehicles, fire engines, snow ploughs, and other ground support units.

The move aligns with Manchester Airports Group’s (MAG) five-year sustainability strategy, which aims for net zero operations across its airports, including Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands- by 2038.

Supplied by YourNRG, the HVO fuel is derived from waste vegetable oils and fats. It undergoes hydrogen treatment to create a clean-burning, biodegradable fuel that also significantly reduces particulate emissions.

East Midlands Airport has been carbon neutral since 2012 and was the first UK airport to achieve certification from the Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme. Alongside the new fuel switch, the site uses 100% renewable electricity, has installed commercial-grade wind turbines, and diverts all waste from landfill. Additional upgrades include electric ambulifts for passengers with reduced mobility and expanded electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for airside vehicles.

The fuel conversion reflects growing momentum among UK infrastructure and transport hubs to decarbonise operations with scalable, low-carbon technologies.

Small Business Britain and eBay have launched a free six-week digital skills programme designed to help UK side-hustlers formalise and scale their ventures into full-time businesses.

The initiative, called the Side-Hustle Lab, launched on June 4 and will support up to 500 early-stage entrepreneurs. It includes online modules on launching and growing a business, managing time and finances, selling through platforms like eBay, customer service, and sustainability.

The programme responds to a five-year decline in UK small business numbers, which fell from 6 million in 2020 to 5.45 million in 2024. Despite the downturn, new research suggests side-hustling is now the most common entry point into entrepreneurship, accounting for 39% of small business launches. Nearly half of those eventually become full-time operations.

Participants will receive guidance from industry experts and gain access to a peer network of fellow entrepreneurs. The training also focuses on e-commerce, digital marketing, and artificial intelligence, areas of increasing relevance in today’s small business landscape.

The move is part of a broader call for more tailored support for micro-enterprises and emerging founders, particularly those launching businesses alongside other work.

Northamptonshire-based See Limited is expanding its workforce as part of its ongoing growth in the UK’s built environment sector. The company is currently recruiting for two new positions within its panel fabrication division, Bousfields, based in Corby.

The recruitment drive includes roles for a Production Support Specialist and a Sales Account Executive. The former will be responsible for managing the flow of materials to support production and delivery targets. At the same time, the latter will play a key role in driving commercial performance and client relationships.

This follows recent internal promotions and continued investment in operational leadership, as See Limited positions Bousfields for greater commercial output and market share. Bousfields, a long-established name in panel fabrication since 1949, is a core part of See Limited’s offering and central to its wider growth strategy.

Targeting candidates seeking long-term progression within the built environment industry, See Limited aims to strengthen its in-house capabilities and support its ongoing expansion in one of the UK’s largest economic sectors.

A new report from the government-backed Willow Review has found that UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are embracing sustainability are already seeing measurable business benefits, including cost savings, new customer acquisition, and improved customer loyalty. However, the report warns that persistent barriers are hindering wider adoption, thereby threatening the UK’s green growth potential.

With SMEs representing 99% of UK businesses and accounting for around half of all business-related carbon emissions, their role in achieving national climate targets is crucial. The Review surveyed 425 small businesses and found that 67% of those implementing sustainability practices reduced operational costs, 52% gained new customers, and 33% improved customer loyalty. Many reported using sustainable materials, cutting waste, limiting travel, and sourcing from greener supply chains.

Despite these advantages, many SMEs struggle to take action due to upfront costs, time constraints, and difficulty accessing financial or advisory support. To address this, the Willow Review issued 14 recommendations across three key areas: simplifying sustainability guidance, expanding access to finance, and creating a more supportive policy environment.

The report calls for clearer signposting to existing funding options, the creation of tailored ‘Green-Up Loans’, and reforms to government schemes like the Growth Guarantee Scheme to support green investments. It also urges integration of sustainability into core services such as the Business Growth Service, alongside incentives for landlords to improve energy efficiency in SME premises.