The government has outlined a timeline for implementing its Employment Rights Bill, which will bring several significant changes to employment law, affecting businesses in the East Midlands. Companies will need to prepare for increased administrative tasks, including updating staff contracts, managing higher costs, and addressing new paperwork requirements.

Starting in April 2026, the Bill will grant workers “day one” rights for paternity and unpaid parental leave. Statutory sick pay will be extended, with the removal of the lower earnings limit. By October 2026, businesses will no longer be able to use “fire and rehire” practices, and employers will be required to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

By 2027, additional protections will be introduced for pregnant women and new mothers, including enhanced dismissal protections. Employers will also face new measures to prevent unfair dismissal from the very first day of employment. These changes will require businesses to adjust their practices and ensure compliance with the new legal landscape.

West Northamptonshire Council is inviting local residents, businesses, and community groups to help shape the future of Northampton town centre through the draft Northampton Town Centre Masterplan. This initiative aims to provide a long-term vision for the area, focusing on enhancing streets, public spaces, housing, and supporting local businesses.

Building on significant ongoing projects such as the revitalisation of Market Square and plans to redevelop former M&S and BHS stores, the masterplan offers a cohesive approach to guide future investments. The goal is to ensure these developments meet the needs of the community and align with their aspirations.

Key to the plan is a focus on making the town more walkable and better connected, improving the riverside to boost leisure and nature spaces, and restoring heritage buildings to their former glory. The vision also includes creating more housing options in the town centre to foster a vibrant, mixed-use community that supports local shops, promotes pedestrian and cycling access, and increases the area’s overall vibrancy.

To gather community input, the council has launched a dedicated website, northamptonforward.com, where people can review the proposals, explore different ideas, and share their feedback through a brief survey. This initial round of engagement will inform the final version of the masterplan, which will be published later this year, ensuring that future changes reflect the priorities of those who live and work in Northampton.

The acquisition significantly expands SOCOTEC’s capabilities in fire safety and compliance, while reinforcing the company’s growing presence in Scotland, with its second acquisition in the country, following the purchase of Aspect Land & Hydrographic Surveys. Matthew Marriott, CEO of SOCOTEC UK and Ireland, said: “The acquisition of UKTC represents a significant milestone in our growth strategy and commitment to enhancing building safety across the UK. “This marks our second acquisition in Scotland within the last 12 months, demonstrating our intention to continue investing in this important region, as well as developing our capabilities to serve clients throughout the UK and Ireland.” David Brown, director at UKTC, will continue to lead the laboratory operations under SOCOTEC ownership, and added: “Joining forces with SOCOTEC UK and Ireland provides an exciting opportunity to invest and expand our testing provisions and deliver enhanced services to our clients. “Our East Kilbride facility has become the centre of excellence for fire testing in UK, and as part of SOCOTEC, we look forward to building on that legacy while accessing wider resources and expertise.”

The shareholders of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), parent company of Nottingham health and beauty retailer Boots, have approved the takeover of WBA by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. According to preliminary results, approximately 96% of votes cast at a Special Meeting by all shareholders were voted in favour of the merger agreement proposal. In addition, approximately 95% of the votes cast at the Special Meeting by unaffiliated shareholders were voted in favor of the merger agreement proposal. “We appreciate the consideration and overwhelming support from our shareholders in our value-maximizing transaction with Sycamore,” said Tim Wentworth, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance. “With Sycamore’s partnership, we will be better positioned to accelerate our turnaround strategy, further enhance the customer, patient and team member experience and become the first choice for pharmacy, retail and health services. We look forward to closing the transaction and entering this next chapter.” WBA expects to close the transaction in the third or fourth quarter of 2025. The $10bn deal comes after Walgreens had a market value of over $100bn a decade ago. The fate of highstreet staple Boots remains in question, with the Sycamore transaction expected to pave way for considertation of a sale, following WBA’s two previous attempts to offload the business.

Leicestershire Business Voice recently hosted an insightful event focused on diversity and inclusion, highlighting its importance for modern businesses. The event, held in collaboration with De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), aimed to demonstrate how creating inclusive workplaces is no longer just a moral choice but a key business strategy.

Business leaders from industries like recruitment, manufacturing, and technology shared their experiences and strategies for fostering diverse and inclusive work environments. The session explored the broader definition of diversity, the obstacles in creating open workplaces, and how language barriers can sometimes hinder progress.

A major takeaway was the importance of organisational culture in driving success. Speakers stressed that business culture should be a priority for leaders, as it shapes company values, employee behaviour, and relationships within the workforce. The event also addressed how diverse teams contribute to innovation, talent attraction, and overall business resilience.

The discussions underscored the value of honest conversations in effecting change and improving business practices. Organisations that prioritise culture and inclusivity are more likely to thrive in the long term, with diversity naturally emerging as a result.

Low-carbon city heat network developer, 1Energy, has pledged £100m of private capital for a city-wide heat network for Derby at an event for the city’s leaders. This move follows the company securing £23m of investment into the project from the UK Government. Developed at no cost to the local community or council, the Derby Energy Network will cut city wide gas demand by around 7 per cent. It will supply the city with low-carbon heating via underground hot water pipes, using water source heat pumps to repurpose surplus heat from local businesses. 1Energy could invest over £140m into the network as it grows. 1Energy pledged its initial investment to the project at an event attended by Derby’s leaders, including Baggy Shanker MP, on the site of the world’s first factory late last week. The event saw the public and private sectors come together to further plans to deliver a more secure future for the city – to bolster energy security and innovation, create skilled jobs and apprenticeships, and future-proof essential infrastructure. Major organisations in the city, including Derby City Council, the Royal Derby and Florence Nightingale Hospitals, the University of Derby and Derby College, are working with 1Energy to advance the network, with plans to begin construction in 2026. The Derby Energy Network will enable the city to bolster energy security, cut costs for businesses and protect against sudden gas-related energy price hikes, with buildings being warmed by low-carbon heat rather than gas boilers. Additionally, some of Britain’s most innovative businesses, such as Rolls-Royce and SmartParc could soon be linked up via the project, extending the city’s leadership in the circular economy. Andrew Wettern, CEO of 1Energy, said: “Derby has long led the world in terms of innovation, from water networks to defence. We are delighted to bring long-term investment to the city and build on its rich industrial heritage, enabling leading businesses to play a key role in delivering a new utility model. “Home to world-renowned innovators, Derby is uniquely placed to lead the transition to a more secure energy future. Alongside transforming the city’s energy infrastructure, the Derby Energy Network will give businesses greater choice and long-term price certainty. All while unlocking economic, health and environmental benefits for the city, the region and the country. We are exciting to continue working with Derby’s trailblazers to develop the network.” As well as helping the UK achieve its energy security goals, the network will play a vital role in reducing air pollution, improving public health. It is projected to save around 20 tonnes of air pollutants that can cause respiratory problems – equivalent to taking 16,000 cars off the road for a year – by cutting pollutants from connected buildings by around 86 per cent. The network also expects to reduce carbon emissions by 19,200 tonnes through slashing emissions from buildings by up to 77 per cent. Baggy Shanker, Member of Parliament for Derby South, said: “The Derby Energy Network represents a huge opportunity for our city to deliver another cutting-edge project, continuing our long-standing leadership on innovation. By combining private capital and public investment, it will bring hundreds of millions of pounds into Derby. I see it playing a key role in boosting economic growth. “It is great to hear the project will also create hundreds of skilled local jobs, including apprenticeships. As a former apprentice myself, I know first-hand how transformative they can be.” Councilor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability at Derby City Council, said: “This is brilliant news for our city. 1Energy’s £100m investment in low-carbon heating will mark a transformative step forward for Derby – not only in our mission to tackle climate change by cutting carbon emissions, but also in fostering healthier, more resilient communities. “This initiative will help to keep homes and buildings across Derby warm in a more sustainable way whilst delivering wider benefits, from improving air quality and reducing fuel poverty, to enhancing public health and wellbeing. “This initiative will be a game changer for communities across Derby, and I look forward to working closely with 1Energy to deliver lasting benefits for Derby.” Phil Lovell, COO at SmartParc, said: “At SmartParc, we are pleased to be working with 1Energy Group, to jointly explore opportunities to provide low carbon heat to the Derby Energy Network. Collaboration opportunities offer greater scope to harness the work we’re already doing at SmartParc for the benefit of the wider city. “By harnessing innovative technologies and shared values, we’re contributing to a cleaner, greener Derby while supporting businesses and organisations across the city in their transition to net zero.”