Derby City Council has submitted their expression of interest for the city to become the home of Great British Railways (GBR). The bid outlines why Derby would be a good fit for the new headquarters, as well as promoting its 180 years of rail history. Being based in the heart of the UK rail network means that over 11,000 workers are employed in Europe’s largest and most diverse rail cluster. Centred around Derby it covers every aspect of railway building, maintenance and operation. Uniquely, Derby is home to major players in the automotive and aviation industry including Rolls-Royce and Toyota, making it uniquely placed for GBR to benefit from cross-sector collaboration and a highly skilled workforce. Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “Rail is in the blood of many generations of people in Derby, who are naturally proud of our rich and deep-rooted rail heritage and that’s why I’m delighted to announce that we have submitted an expression of interest to become the home of GBR. “As a city we’re looking towards the future of the sector and this is where Derby can excel. We are the centre for rail excellence and innovation, with a strong supply chain to support a large, diverse rail cluster. “We believe we have a very strong and compelling case for Derby to be the home for the first national headquarters of Great British Railways, which we’ve outlined in our expression of interest to Government. “I would like to thank key partners from across the region for supporting us with our submission and for helping back our bid! The East Midlands makes us the best-placed region to meet GBR’s requirements and levelling up needs.” Just as Derby is a great opportunity for GBR, it’s also a great opportunity to level up the region. Derby currently has a low proportion of Government jobs, the lowest for a city of its size in the UK. Becoming the home of GBR would directly help level up the area by diversifying and strengthening the local economy. Government announced their commitment to move 22,000 civil service jobs out of London by the end of the decade. The relocations will be an opportunity to improve the capacity of the civil service, by helping to attract and retain talented staff across the whole of the UK and for decision-making to better reflect the whole population. The timeline for the GBR competition: Stage 1 – Expression of Interest deadline 16 March 2022 Stage 2 – Shortlist announced May 2022 Stage 3 – Ministerial visits to shortlisted places and a public vote May 2022 Stage 4 – Headquarters’ location announced Summer 2022 The bid has the backing of all three counties, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, as well as support from 22 East Midlands based MP’s. Amanda Solloway, Member of Parliament for Derby North, said: “I’m very proud to be backing Derby’s bid to be the new HQ for Great British Railways and I believe that our city has outstanding credentials for the role. With Derby’s rich heritage as the longstanding home to Midland Rail and prime location at the heart of the rail network, it is well placed to serve as the centre for the new organisation. “What truly makes our bid unique is the vital importance that our tremendously skilled workforce continues to play in underpinning our national industry. More than two thirds of the UK’s rolling stock is supported from the Litchurch Lane site in Derby alone, and Derby is home to the largest cluster of rail companies anywhere in the world. “Together with the significant work going on locally to explore the potential of AI and rail decarbonisation, Derby possesses an exceptional combination of representing the past, present and future of the rail network and our national rail industry.” Pauline Latham OBE, Member of Parliament for Mid Derbyshire, said: “I think the Government would be making a very good decision by bringing Great British Railways to Derby. “Derby has a fantastic rail heritage, is the centre of the UK’s rail network, and is the home of rail sector innovation for the future. There is no better place for public-private collaboration, with excellent connectivity around the country, and building on over 180 years of railway history.” Dame Margaret Beckett, Member of Parliament for Derby South, added: “The history of the rail industry is inextricably interwoven with the history of Derby but that is not why Derby would be the best possible place for the headquarters of GBR. “It is because the Derby of today and tomorrow is a transport hub steeped in contributing to the transport of the future, the home of the largest network of rail companies probably in the world – building operating and maintaining the transport of the future is part of Derby’s raison d’être. That is what makes it the right place for the new GBR to be headquartered.”

In its latest Business Support Update, Streets Chartered Accountants dives into Making Tax Digital, the opening of its new Birmingham office, cyber risk in light of the Ukraine conflict, year end tax planning, and more. Making Tax Digital applies to all VAT registered businesses from April 2022. Are you ready? Since April 2019 most VAT registered businesses with a turnover over £85,000 have been within Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT. This means that they have had to keep digital records and submit their tax returns via MTD compatible software. From April 2022 MTD for VAT is being extended to all VAT registered businesses. In practical terms this means that they will no longer be able to submit their VAT returns via the old HMRC portal. New Birmingham office sees Streets become a truly pan regional assurance and advisory firm Streets have opened a new office in Birmingham as part of its firm wide growth strategy. The new office, located at the Birmingham Business Park, along with well-established offices across the Midlands – including Lincoln, Luton and Northampton – mean Streets are now a pan regional player covering the East, West and South East Midlands. Streets appoint Martyn Shakespear as head of banking & finance Streets have announced the appointment of experienced banking and advisory specialist, Martyn Shakespear, as head of banking & finance. Martyn joins Streets with over 40 years’ experience of providing funding advice to SMEs and corporates. The Streets Sessions Podcast – Do businesses face an increased cyber risk in light of the Ukrainian conflict? In this session, cyber security specialists Rick Jones, CEO of DigitalXRaid, and Oliver Pinson-Roxborough, CEO of Bulletproof, discuss the heightened level of cyber threats faced by businesses in light of the Ukrainian conflict. In discussion they also provide practical guidance and advice to businesses about managing cyber threats and ensuring cyber security. What does 2022/23 look like for payroll? As we head into the final few weeks of the 2021/22 tax year, and following last year’s Autumn Budget announcements and the news of the National Insurance rise that preceded it, what do those charged with payroll need to know to start preparing for the new tax year on 6th April? Year End Tax Planning Guide 2021/22 With the end of the tax year fast approaching, now is a good time to review your business and personal finances to ensure that they are as tax-efficient as possible. As your accountants, Streets can work with you to make sure your business and personal finances are in a strong position to weather whatever lies ahead. This includes planning to make the most of the tax-saving opportunities available to you, particularly ahead of the tax year end.

On behalf of Derbyshire-based businesses operating nationally within the metal recycling, building, construction and demolition sectors, as well as many others, Donald Ward, operations director at metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has written to the Right Hon, Rishi Sunak MP, the Chancellor of the Exchequer to leverage support in managing spiralling energy costs in the next budget. The independent, fourth generation family business, which employs over 400 people and has an annual turnover of £200 million, has proposed that the changes UK Government is making to the taxation of red diesel, or rebated fuel, are postponed for at least 12 months. This they believe would offset additional challenges faced by businesses as we emerge from a global pandemic, an ongoing Brexit situation and the worldwide economic impact of sanctions on the former Soviet Union. Under the existing plans, from 1^st April 2022, it will no longer be permitted to use rebated red diesel in most types of plant, machinery, and construction equipment. Instead, all equipment must use diesel or biofuels, on which the full rate of duty has been paid. Businesses are expected to face cost increases of more than 140%, given the current price of diesel. In the letter, Donald Ward, asks: “In the short term and given the threat nationwide to all businesses and the impact on wider industries, we are writing to request you implement an extension to the entitlement to use red diesel for 12 months or a time the energy markets have settled. “If this implementation is not possible, could we suggest a phased approach as we are now in a completely different economic climate, and this could be disastrous for many waste and resource operators, construction and demolition businesses and result in unintended consequences impacting the environment, the wider economy and employment levels.” In support of Ward’s plea, Rebecca Galley, Managing Director at hydraulic and industrial hose specialist, Hydroscand UK, added: “We sincerely hope this is taken note of. The business environment is like none seen before. The government should be doing everything possible to support businesses.” Read the full letter here.