Rural broadband provider Quickline has partnered with the Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) to support digital transformation among small businesses and entrepreneurs across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

The three-year initiative is designed to help 60 rural enterprises adopt digital tools and technologies. It forms part of Quickline’s social value contribution to the UK government’s Project Gigabit programme.

The partnership will deliver a series of innovation days, training sessions, mentoring, and workshops tailored to the specific needs of rural businesses. The goal is to enhance digital capability, drive innovation, and create new growth opportunities outside urban centres.

C4DI will lead programme delivery, offering access to its network of experts and support infrastructure, while Quickline provides the digital connectivity and strategic backing necessary to enable long-term adoption.

New workforce data reveals that Yorkshire and the Humber has the lowest proportion of employees regularly working beyond contracted hours, positioning the region as a leader in sustainable employment practices.

Only 36% of workers in the region report working additional hours, well below the UK average of 42%. This contrasts with Northern Ireland, where 48% of employees regularly work overtime, indicating a heavier workload culture.

The findings, based on research by recruitment firm Reed, highlight a broader issue: across the UK, many workers are clocking extra hours due to job demands and unmanageable workloads. However, compensation remains inconsistent. In Yorkshire and the Humber, less than a third of those working overtime are paid for it, and 40% receive no compensation at all.

The region also faces a mixed picture on wage satisfaction. Half of workers are happy with their current pay, while the other half cite stagnant wages and low-paying sectors as reasons for dissatisfaction.

The research, drawn from over 21 million job ads and a survey of 5,000 workers, offers a window into current pressures on workforce wellbeing, job design, and compensation.

UK tourism spending by international visitors remained £2.2 billion below pre-pandemic levels in 2024, according to new data from the World Travel and Tourism Council and Oxford Economics. The total spend reached £40.3 billion—5.3% less than in 2019—despite the sector contributing £286 billion to the wider economy and supporting over 4 million jobs.

Industry analysis links the lag to recent government policy choices, including the introduction of digital travel permits, the removal of VAT-free shopping for tourists, and higher air passenger duty. These measures are seen as reducing the UK’s competitiveness compared to other European destinations, where recovery to pre-COVID levels has largely been achieved.

There is also concern over reduced investment in tourism promotion, particularly a cut of over 40% to VisitBritain’s budget. With tourism representing around 10% of GDP, stakeholders argue that the sector is being deprioritised despite its potential to drive regional economic growth and private-sector employment.

The government has announced a new visitor economy strategy for later this year, targeting 50 million international visitors annually by 2030. The sector awaits further details on how fiscal and regulatory changes will align with that ambition.

Energy company VPI is seeking government backing for a £1.5 billion carbon capture and storage (CCS) project at its Immingham power station, aiming to decarbonise one of the UK’s most emissions-heavy industrial regions.

The proposal involves retrofitting the existing gas-fired facility with carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure, enabling captured carbon to be transported via a short onshore pipeline and stored under the North Sea using existing offshore assets. This approach avoids the need for new-build power generation, reducing capital outlay and timelines.

The project would serve as a key part of the wider Viking CCS network and is expected to create 1,500 jobs during construction. In the longer term, it supports regional decarbonisation and positions the Humber as a hub for carbon imports, with government projections suggesting potential tax revenues of up to £30 billion by 2050.

VPI is requesting official designation as the anchor emitter for Viking CCS in the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review—an essential step to secure investment and move to delivery.

For industrial operators, the network would offer shared CCS infrastructure and lower barriers to compliance with emissions. The project is pitched as a strategic opportunity to clean up heavy industry, unlock private capital, and drive regional economic growth through low-carbon infrastructure.

WorkWell, a Leeds-based flexible workspace provider, has outlined plans to open ten new sites over the next decade, with York named among its key target locations.

The company, which already operates two centres in Leeds and recently launched a flagship site in Harrogate, is focusing its growth strategy on major regional cities, including Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and further expansion within Leeds.

Though no specific York location has been secured, the city is seeing a rise in demand for high-quality office space. Recent developments include new sites by Patch and Wizu Workspace in the Skeldergate area, reflecting broader momentum in York’s office market. Local developer Helmsley Group has also reported increased interest in commercial property across the city.

WorkWell’s growth strategy includes a mix of owned and leased sites, with a preference for ownership to retain long-term control of its workspaces. The company’s operating model centres on delivering premium, flexible offices that support wellbeing and hybrid working, primarily serving professional services firms.

In addition to traditional corporate clients, WorkWell recently acquired Aire Street Workshops in Leeds, a heritage building that hosts around 30 creative businesses. The space will continue to serve this niche under the company’s management.

Since its founding in East Leeds in 2007, WorkWell has expanded to support 800 office users monthly. The business continues to operate with a self-funded model supported by bank lending, focusing on delivering a consistent, high-end workplace experience across its sites.

W&R Barnett has acquired a majority shareholding in Symphony Group, one of the UK’s largest producers of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture. The transaction amount was not disclosed.

Symphony, which operates under brands including Laura Ashley Fitted Furniture, Gallery, Linear, Koncept, and Urbano, recorded revenues exceeding £325 million in 2024. It serves B2B clients including private developers, social housing providers, merchants and independent retailers. The company employs over 1,800 staff across four manufacturing sites in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.

This move marks a strategic investment by W&R Barnett, a fourth-generation Northern Ireland-based business with a global portfolio in commodity trading and industrial sectors. The investment aligns with Barnett’s focus on acquiring and scaling operationally sound businesses with established workforces.

The Gregory family, previous majority owners of Symphony, will retain a substantial minority stake and remain involved at the board level. Paul Whitehouse, recently appointed managing director and a 23-year veteran of the business, will continue to lead the executive team.

The transaction was supported by a range of legal and financial advisors on both sides. Sentio Partners led the deal for the Gregory family, while firms including Macfarlanes, Walker Morris, KPMG, EY, PwC and McKinsey advised various aspects of the transaction.

Connectus has committed another £500,000 to Doncaster Airport Business Park, expanding its digital infrastructure in a move aimed squarely at scaling B2B demand. This builds on a previous £1 million investment and comes as momentum grows around the site’s redevelopment.

The new funding will deliver a second fibre route to improve network resilience and uptime for businesses operating on the 62-acre site. The park, which houses 140 business units and has planning approval for over 186,000 sq m of future commercial space, is being positioned as a regional hub for innovation and high-growth companies.

The investment also supports the rollout of AI-powered diagnostics via Connectus’ partner Kaseya, recruitment of additional engineering staff, and new backup energy solutions to minimise service disruption. Part of the funding is earmarked for local engagement initiatives, including grassroots sports sponsorships.

This development follows the UK government’s recent £30 million pledge to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, adding strategic significance to the business park’s growth trajectory.