Businesses have been invited to play a key role in the future growth of Greater Lincolnshire by becoming part of the Economic Advisory Panel.
Business leaders invited to help shape Greater Lincolnshire’s economic future
Derby secures £3.3m in government funding for economic growth
Derby City Council has approved nearly £3.3 million in government funding to support local economic growth in the 2025/26 financial year. The funds come from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and will be distributed through the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
The UKSPF, initially launched in 2022 with a £2.6 billion budget, aims to support communities, local businesses, and workforce development. The government has extended the programme for another year, allocating £902 million nationwide as part of a transition agreement.
Derby’s funding allocation remains in line with previous years, reflecting a redistribution based on deprivation levels. The funds will strengthen local businesses, improve employability and skills, and support community initiatives.
Derby City Council emphasised the funding’s importance in maintaining economic stability and continuing investment in key areas amid ongoing budget pressures and potential future funding reforms.
UK government halts key farm payment scheme, sparking industry backlash
The UK government has stopped accepting new applications for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), citing full budget allocation for the year. The scheme, part of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) programme, pays farmers for nature-friendly practices such as maintaining hedgerows and reducing pesticide use.
Defra stated that 50,000 farm businesses—covering over half of England’s farmland—are now enrolled in environmental land management schemes, which have a £5 billion budget over two years. However, the suspension of new applications has drawn strong criticism from farming groups.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) called the move a “shattering blow,” warning that farmers left out of the scheme may have to abandon environmental efforts to stay financially viable. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) described the decision as harmful to both farming and nature. The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) raised concerns that delays in the next SFI rollout, expected in spring 2026, could leave many farmers without support for 18 months.
Political figures, including Alistair Carmichael, chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, criticised the abrupt decision, warning it could further destabilise the sector. The government has defended its funding approach, stating that more farmers are now receiving payments than ever before.
Paragon Bank funds £2.9m housing project in Kettering
Paragon Bank has provided a £2.9 million funding package for the Maplefields housing development in Kettering, Northamptonshire. The project, a joint venture between Castlegate Homes and Craneview EM Ltd, will deliver 14 new homes on the former Maplefields school site on Beatrice Road.
The development includes a mix of two- to four-bedroom bungalows and detached houses, with prices ranging from £350,000 to £435,000. Properties feature garages, additional off-road parking, and large gardens. The site is located near Kettering town centre and train station, offering a 50-minute rail connection to London St Pancras.
Chris Wardrop, co-owner of Castlegate Homes and managing director of Craneview EM Ltd, led the project, with Craneview acting as the main contractor. Paragon Bank’s senior relationship director Steve Hallam and senior portfolio manager Ashling Quinn structured the funding deal.
Luxfer Gas Cylinders welcomes industry expert to drive global growth
Go-ahead given to Newark primary school extension plans
Cleaning products supplier expands with new Chesterfield facility
Widespread project delays to impact profits at Van Elle
Widespread project delays are hitting profits at Van Elle, the Nottinghamshire-based ground engineering contractor has revealed in a new trading update for the year ending 30 April 2025.
In interim results the company shared that market conditions had proved challenging. Despite benefitting from a strong order book, the trading environment and volumes remained supressed throughout January and February.
The business has seen widespread project delays, including the ongoing impact of delays to Building Safety Act approvals. These have primarily impacted trading for Rock & Alluvium, which is focused on taller residential schemes in London and the Southeast.
With over 40 projects currently in the approvals process, the majority of these are now expected to commence in FY26 and will result in a FY25 performance for Van Elle’s UK operations slightly below expectations.
At Van Elle Canada, meanwhile, further delays have been experienced as a strategic supply partner to the major infrastructure upgrade programme for the Toronto rail network. The division’s trading performance will now be weaker than anticipated.
While Van Elle has secured several key frameworks throughout FY24 and FY25 in Canada, with near-term uncertainty around the timing of key investment programmes, the business is reviewing its strategic options with its Canada operations.
As a result of the impact of the Rock & Alluvium and Canada trading performance, Van Elle now expects underlying profit before tax for the second half of FY25 to be similar to the first half.