Grimsby has advanced a major community-led initiative set to invest up to £20 million in the town over the next decade. The project, ‘Grimsby Together’, is guided by local residents, business leaders, and community organisations, with support from Our Future, a group that specialises in long-term community development.

The programme aligns with the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods funding, which replaced the Long-Term Plan for Towns last year. Grimsby is one of 75 areas receiving grant allocations, with total funding of £1.5 billion nationally and a potential £20 million per town over ten years. The scheme prioritises community input on how funds are spent to maximise local impact.

Current activity includes a series of workshop sessions examining opportunities across key areas such as town centre vitality, business growth, housing, and environmental improvements. One working group, led by E Factor Director Mark Webb, is focusing on enhancing physical and digital connectivity to support commercial activity.

The initiative engages 80 local leaders across eight working groups and a taskforce, representing multiple sectors. Workshops will continue through September, culminating in a public consultation event at Grimsby Central Hall on 25 September, where residents can contribute ideas on the town’s development.

Grimsby Together is designed to channel investment into locally driven projects, supporting business growth, improving public spaces, and enhancing the overall quality of life in the town.

Aldi is increasing wages for more than 28,000 UK store staff and expanding opportunities for young people through a free online work experience programme. Entry-level hourly pay will rise to £13.02 nationwide, reaching £14.35 within London, with increments for length of service. The latest increase follows previous pay rises in March and July, positioning Aldi above competitors including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons.

The supermarket plans to create 1,000 additional store roles across the UK in 2025. In parallel, Aldi will provide 10,000 free virtual work experience placements for students aged 13 and older. The programme delivers insights into retail careers through videos, interactive exercises, and quizzes. Participants receive a certificate upon completion, supporting CV development, UCAS applications, or early employment applications.

Aldi’s combined focus on staff remuneration and youth engagement reflects a strategic effort to strengthen workforce retention while cultivating the next generation of retail talent. The company has also published step-by-step guidance for online job applications, streamlining access for prospective employees and programme participants.

Derby-based workspace provider Cubo has officially earned B Corporation certification, joining a global network of companies recognised for balancing purpose with profit. The certification assesses companies across five areas: workers, environment, community, customers, and governance.

The process involved extensive internal review, including supply chain evaluation, operational adjustments, and governance improvements. Cubo also implemented initiatives to support employees, such as paid volunteer days and regular professional development sessions.

Environmental commitments include using renewable energy across sites, incorporating energy-efficient designs, and achieving Green Small Business Certification. Community engagement has been reinforced through partnerships with local suppliers and sustainable initiatives, including tree planting programs.

Cubo has also focused on enhancing customer experience by offering workspaces designed for collaboration, wellbeing, and inclusion. Governance changes aim to improve transparency, accountability, and alignment of business objectives with social and environmental outcomes.

The B Corp status represents a formal recognition of Cubo’s efforts to integrate social and environmental responsibility into business operations. The company plans to continue refining its practices, using the certification as a foundation for ongoing improvement.

Commenting on achieving the accreditation, Marc Brough, CEO of Cubo, said: “Becoming a B Corp is a significant achievement for Cubo. From day one, it has been our aim not only to revolutionise flexible working but to build a business that genuinely contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world. The certification is external validation of the principles we’ve embedded in our operations – and a promise to keep improving. “We believe the future of business is about balancing profit with purpose. As we expand, we want Cubo to lead the way in demonstrating that flexible workspace operators can, and must, play a central role in creating a sustainable economy. “B Corp certification will help us identify where we’re excelling and where we can improve further to help our members thrive in a way that benefits people and the planet.” Chris Turner, executive director of B Lab UK, added: “We are delighted to welcome Cubo to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies that are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. “We know Cubo is going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward. “Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit.”

Uber’s UK operations posted a revenue increase of £1.3bn in the latest financial year, rising from £5.2bn to £6.5bn, driven by higher taxi rides and Uber Eats orders. The mobility division saw revenue climb to £5.1bn, while delivery sales reached £1.3bn. The UK workforce grew from 427 to 512 employees.

Despite the surge in turnover, pre-tax profit fell by 26 per cent to £21.6m, primarily due to higher administrative costs in the delivery segment. The company warned that sustaining or increasing profitability in the UK will be challenging without raising revenue further and controlling expenditure.

The operating environment has also shifted following recent tax rulings. A Supreme Court decision confirmed that private-hire operators outside London are exempt from 20 per cent VAT on their profits, overturning a previous High Court ruling. The case involved rival operators Delta Taxis and platform Veezu and follows Uber’s earlier legal disputes over driver employment status and tax obligations.

Separately, Estonian ride-hailing and delivery platform Bolt successfully challenged HMRC over VAT application, though the authority has been granted permission to appeal.

The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands survey, compiled by S&P Global, signalled a much softer reduction in permanent placements midway through the third quarter of 2025. Temp billings meanwhile increased for the third time in the past four months, albeit only marginally. At the same time, recruiters suggested that fewer vacancies and redundancies had contributed to a sharper increase in permanent candidate availability, though recruiters noted a renewed rise in demand for temporary workers during August. On the pay front, the rate of permanent salary inflation accelerated since July, reaching the strongest since April 2024. Temp pay meanwhile increased at the strongest pace since May. The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands. Softer decline in permanent placements August data signalled a further decline in the number of permanent placements made by recruitment agencies in the Midlands. Permanent staff appointments were reportedly down due to weaker demand for staff and fewer vacancies. The pace of decrease eased sharply from July, however, and was only modest. Across all four monitored English areas, the Midlands saw the softest drop in permanent placements. Temp billings across the Midlands increased for the third time in the past four months midway through the third quarter. Panellists generally attributed the latest rise to improved demand for temporary workers. The rate of increase was only marginal, however. The rise in temp billings in the Midlands bucked the wider UK trend, with the three other monitored English regions recording sustained falls. Permanent vacancies in the Midlands decreased for the fifteenth consecutive month in August. Though solid, the pace of contraction was the second-slowest seen across the four monitored English areas, after the North of England. Temporary vacancies in the Midlands meanwhile rose for the third time in four months in August. Whilst only marginal, the increase contrasted with a solid fall at the national level. Stronger rise in permanent staff availability The supply of permanent staff rose again in August, thereby extending the current sequence of increasing candidate numbers to 29 months. Moreover, the pace of growth accelerated from July and was the steepest since December 2023. That said, the Midlands recorded the slowest increase in permanent candidate availability of all four monitored English areas. Anecdotal evidence suggested that redundancies and fewer job opportunities had driven the latest upturn in candidate supply. Temporary candidate availability in the Midlands increased during August, as has been the case in each month since May 2023. The rate of expansion picked up slightly from July and was sharp overall. Panellists stated that the supply of temp staff had risen due to fewer vacancies and redundancies. Nevertheless, the rate of expansion was softer than that seen at the UK level. Permanent starters’ salaries rise sharply Permanent starting salaries in the Midlands increased again in August, thereby extending the current sequence of inflation that began in March 2021. The rate of pay growth accelerated sharply from the previous survey period and was the steepest seen since April 2024. The rise in salaries was often linked by recruiters to efforts to attract suitably skilled staff. The pace of salary inflation in the Midlands was notably stronger than the UK average. Recruitment consultancies based in the Midlands registered an increase in temp pay rates for the ninth time in as many months during August. Though modest, the pace of wage inflation was the strongest in three months. London was the only other monitored English area to record an increase in temp wages in August, as falls were seen across the North and South of England.  Commenting on the latest survey results, Kate Holt, people consulting partner at KPMG in the Midlands said: “For the first time in a long time, the Midlands job market is showing tentative signs of recovery, testament to the adaptability and resilience of the businesses operating in the region. Permanent placements are still decreasing, but at a much slower rate – the softest decline of any monitored region. “Temporary hiring continues as a critical lever for flexibility. Indeed, demand for temporary staff is still rising, and temporary billings are increasing in tow. Employers are also navigating a shifting talent landscape, with increased candidate availability creating new opportunities to rebalance teams and manage costs more strategically. Pay pressures remain, but more than ever, they’re reflecting a proactive approach from employers to secure essential skills amid ongoing uncertainty.” Neil Carberry, REC chief executive, said: “Employers need a shot of confidence along with their seasonal flu jabs this autumn. August saw recent declines in the market moderating, and a few positive signs – such as an improving market for temps in the Midlands. Overall, the pace of decrease in permanent placements in the Midlands eased sharply on July and temp billings across the region increased for the third time in the past four months. “There is certainly potential out there – but with fewer vacancies and more candidates looking for work across the UK, the overall picture is still subdued nationally. While we have seen a summer slowdown, we will hopefully see more positive signs when the September data come through next month. “All eyes are now on the Autumn Budget, in hope now that the Chancellor won’t do any further damage to the labour market with costs on hiring. For the economy to thrive, the Budget must recognise the need for investment in people. Long-term investment in skills, workforce stability, a more practical approach to the Employment Right Bill and meaningful partnerships with employers will yield far more enduring returns than short-term fixes.”