SME owners hold the UK education system responsible for skills gaps, according to new data from small business lender iwoca.

The survey of SME owners reveals three in four think the current education system does not adequately prepare young people to take on employment. In terms of hiring, SME owners are first looking for experience in the sector (33%) and the role (28%), before checking for qualifications (4%).

More than half of the SME owners surveyed say the sector does not currently have the right skills it needs to succeed. Of those, almost half say that the skills shortages have been ongoing for at least a year.

These talent shortages are bearing an impact for small businesses – more than two in five say SME owners themselves are having to work longer hours to plug gaps. Delays to growth plans (31%) and hiring temporary workers (25%) were cited as the next biggest impacts of skills gaps felt by the SME community.

The answer to the lack of skills among employees of small businesses could lie in apprenticeships, say SME owners. Over three quarters say apprenticeships are key to solving the sector’s chronic skills issues.

Over seven in 10 (72%) believe the Government should introduce more support for SMEs to help employees upskill. By contrast, a loosening of immigration rules to remedy the lack of qualified talent saw support from just over two-fifths of SME owners.

Seema Desai, COO at iwoca, said: “Skills shortages have hit SMEs hard in recent years, and they have yet to recover. Small business owners are rightly looking for alternatives to plug these gaps, and believe strongly in apprenticeships, educational reform and tailored Government support schemes to try and fix these issues. We must ensure that the young talent coming through today have the skills needed not only to help businesses grow, but perhaps become SME owners of the future.”

Multi-million pound proposals to transform Scarborough’s historic West Pier have been heralded as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” as formal plans for the scheme are due to be submitted. A planning application is set to be lodged for the £11 million project which is aimed at bringing benefits for the seaside town’s fishing industry, businesses, residents and visitors. The application outlines how the proposed regeneration scheme is centred on supporting and celebrating the town’s fishing and lobster industry as well as replacing the current facilities and buildings, which are no longer fit-for-purpose, with modern premises. The West Pier proposals are part of the £20.2 million Towns Fund awarded to Scarborough in 2021, £5 million of which will contribute to creating modern facilities on the pier for harbour users with improvements for existing pier tenants and businesses as well as restoration work of some of the buildings with historical interest. The harbour and pier area play a critical role in Scarborough’s local culture, heritage and economy with strong links to the fishing and hospitality industries. New facilities and improved welfare for the local fishing fleet will be built, supporting a thriving maritime industry and further boosting the lobster trade. Scarborough is now the second biggest harbour in Europe when it comes to lobster catches. The new vision for the West Pier includes a high-quality seafood restaurant, that will increase opportunities to highlight locally caught produce, and a new public space, which could be used for outdoor events and cultural activities. New kiosks, parking and vehicle and pedestrian management, better offices, sheds and warehousing for the fishing sector and new public toilets will also be provided. The scheme will help these industries to grow, while at the same time creating a great destination within Scarborough’s famous South Bay. Executive member for open to business, Cllr Derek Bastiman, said: “The West Pier project is one of the key cornerstones of the regeneration of Scarborough. “It will respect Scarborough’s heritage as a working harbour while also breathing new life into that area of the seafront for the benefit of the fishing industry.” A number of revisions have already been made across the proposed life of the project so far in response to feedback from tenants and users. This includes an increase in the number of car parking spaces proposed from 60 to 80 and working with local people to champion the pier’s heritage, including a memorial feature to those who have lost their lives at sea. Cllr Janet Jefferson, the local member for Scarborough’s Castle division, added: “Now is the time to make your voice heard. I know there are many people who want to have their say so please do get involved. This is a one-off opportunity to support our heritage fishing industry.” One of the businesses that will be directly impacted by the revitalisation of the West Pier is TG Wood, a fish merchant that has been a fixture in the town since 1970. It is now run by Shaun Wood, who took over from his father. Mr Wood wants the West Pier securing for the next generation. He said: “It’s a fishermen’s pier and the proposals will mean it is still a fishermen’s pier but will also safeguard it for the future. “We need to ensure there is something to pass onto the next generation and by diversifying and offering a reason for people to use the West Pier we are ensuring that will happen. “The buildings here are very rundown and we cannot keep living in the past. This will enhance the area and futureproof the pier.” Shaun Wood’s son, Jack, now runs Cod & Lobster on the West Pier, a fishmongers that will get new, harbour-side premises under the Towns Deal investment plans, and crab and lobster tanks to allow them to sell wholesale. Jack Wood, 26, said: “It is about prioritising the fishermen, giving them new facilities, better facilities and bring the pier into the 21st century. “The scheme will give entrepreneurial fisherman the chance to take advantage of potential new opportunities and seek a higher price for their catch. “Currently, the West Pier is not fit for use and even the look of it just does not appeal and it is not attractive to getting people onto here, either as customers or to work. “This scheme is our best chance of securing the West Pier’s future for everyone.”

Sheffield Hallam University has secured funding to lead a new partnership project to improve energy efficiency and make food processing more sustainable through the development of new technologies. The University’s National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering (NCEFE) has secured £232,000 to lead the project which will trial a new heating system for sauces aiming to reduce carbon impact while enhancing nutrition and taste. Partnering with Premier Foods, the project involves the development and application of innovative Continuous Flow Ohmic Heater (CFOH) technology, which will be tested on a range of the company’s sauces. Premier Foods is one of the UK’s largest food producers, supplying a range of retailers, wholesale, convenience, and food service customers. This research project is partnering with the company’s dedicated research and development team, based at its manufacturing site in Worksop. Ohmic heating passes electrical current through food, heating it up evenly and requiring less energy than current processes. The funding has been provided by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, as part of the Better Food for All Programme, an investment of up to £20 million to support the development of innovative solutions to address significant nutrition challenges. The pilot scale study will address challenges faced by the food industry, such as uneven heating, reduced food quality through over-processing, energy inefficiencies, and negative environmental impacts and could inform future spending on food processing technology. Dr Caroline Millman, senior lecturer and healthier lives research theme lead at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “This is an exciting project, bringing together industry and academic partners, combining our expertise to jointly develop a scalable and energy-efficient heating solution. It will build on existing technology developed by NCEFE and apply it in real-world processing conditions. “This approach will bridge the gap between research and practical applications and has the potential to transform conventional heating and processing methods. This in turn could create new business opportunities, secure jobs, and contribute to the UK’s food and energy security.” In 2023, the global cooking sauces and condiments market was valued at $242.8 billion, with the UK market worth £3.9 billion. Food systems are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, both in the UK and around the world, accounting for around one-third of total emissions. Chris Horton, Head of Creative Solutions at Premier foods, said: “As a leading manufacturer in the food industry we can’t wait to embark on this innovative project alongside our esteemed academic partners. “Under our Enriching Life Plan, Premier Foods is committed to helping create a more sustainable food system and to reducing our energy consumption to meet ambitious targets on carbon emissions. “By harnessing our collective expertise in this way, we stand the best chance of making a breakthrough on a more environmentally friendly heating approach which could revolutionise cooking and processing methods within our sector. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.” The project is due to be launched in October 2023 and will last 18 months.

Leeds-based mechanical, electrical and public health service (MEP) provider, G&H Group, is celebrating 25 years in business with the opening of a new office in Pudsey and a restructure of its senior team to support future growth. The MEP service provider is also planning to launch a new energy division.

Founded as G&H Pipe Services in 1998, the Group has grown from a two-strong pipework subcontractor to a multi-million-pound business employing more than 180 staff across five divisions – building services, projects, maintenance, engineering services and air conditioning.

G&H Group has marked its 25th birthday celebrations with the announcement that the Group’s maintenance division will move to new offices in Pudsey, with 20 members of staff relocating in December, as a result of strong growth across all areas of the business.

The firm has also announced, following a management restructure to support its future growth plans, that managing director Graham Kelly will become chairman of G&H Group. Pre-construction director David Davis and commercial director Mark Craven, who have been with the business since 2009 and 2012 respectively, will increase their shareholding.

G&H Group’s chairman Graham Kelly said: “G&H Group has always focused on delivering solutions to our clients by being innovative, hardworking and always going above and beyond.

“I’m very proud of the success and growth we have achieved. This is testament to the team’s commitment to always delivering projects to the highest standard and in turn developing an unrivalled reputation. We have stayed true to our roots and remained a family business, investing and supporting our staff, with many dedicating years of service.

“As we expand premises, adopt a new management structure, and plan our new energy division launch, the future for G&H Group looks extremely bright. With a strong pipeline of business and exciting growth strategy, this is just the start of our next 25 years and beyond!”

Visit Hull & East Yorkshire’s annual tourism conference returns tomorrow after a four-year break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2023 conference is VHEY’s first major business-to-business event since the pandemic and the first since being named among VisitEngland’s first Local Visitor Economy Partnerships. The event is open to any business working in the local visitor economy and will feature high-profile guest speakers, including Simon Calder, travel journalist and broadcaster, Professor John Lennon, dean of the Glasgow School for Business and Society, and Alan Raw, lead creative practitioner at Sustainability and Beyond. Simon Calder said: “I look forward to taking part again in what is always a lively and inspiring event.The pandemic reminded us all of the value of tourism, emotionally as well as economically. Like many people, I rediscovered the joy of travelling in the UK – including another visit to Hull and East Yorkshire. “The question now: how can the area leverage LVEP status to deliver great experiences to more tourists?” Lady Victoria Borwick will be attending in her first official visit as the new chairman of the VisitEngland Advisory Board, along with former interim chair Fiona Pollard, who will also be among the speakers. She said: “I am very pleased to be visiting this wonderful part of England and to be attending this conference in my first official visit as the new chairman of the VisitEngland Advisory Board. Local Visitor Economy Partnerships are at the heart of transforming the visitor economy landscape in England and we are delighted that Visit Hull and East Yorkshire is embedded into the programme. “I am looking forward to hearing from industry and business leaders about the challenges and opportunities for the visitor economy and how we can support to drive growth, working with stakeholders across the region.” The conference will take place at Tickton Grange Hotel, Beverley, on Wednesday between 9.30am-2pm.

A national ‘Help to Green’ scheme will help narrow the resource gap of small firms in their pursuit of net zero as they face significant differences in government support levels from region to region, according to new research from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and Warwick Business School, published today (Tuesday 26 September). The ‘Help to Green’ scheme is a FSB initiative backed by 11 other trade associations and former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore’s Review of Net Zero. It consists of an online hub of practical information on reducing energy usage and a voucher or grant scheme, with a value of up to £5,000 a time. The research, which was carried out by researchers at the Enterprise Research Centre at Warwick Business School, measured the breadth and depth of net zero support programmes. It found that less than one per cent of local small firms have benefitted from key local support schemes across England on net zero, raising concerns over the reach and accessibility of the programmes as the UK’s 2050 target edges closer. The Less Than 1% Club report identifies 719 interventions across England targeting SMEs, such as online tools and information, training and one-on-one advice, provided through 282 programmes. Despite the substantial number of programmes and interventions, these are failing to reach the vast majority of small firms. The most common type of net zero intervention offered to firms is online tools and information. Training, one-to-one advice and grants are also prevalent. Small firms face a fragmented and uneven net zero support landscape. For example, in the East of England, home to over 540,000 small businesses, there were only 43 interventions from 19 programmes. In contrast, more than 530,000 small businesses in the South West region were offered 102 interventions through 37 programmes. Small businesses also face future challenges due to the changing funding landscape for net zero business support in England. While local authorities emerge as the most common funder, the second most common source of funding – the European Regional Development Fund – came to an end in June this year, as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, leaving the future of some programmes in limbo. In light of the findings, the report puts forward a list of recommendations to the UK Government and local authorities, including:

• Introducing a national ‘Help to Green’ scheme, consisting of an online hub of practical information on reducing energy usage and carbon emissions. The scheme would include a voucher or grant scheme, with a value of up to £5,000 a time, which would make a grant contribution to investing in low emission transport solutions, sustainable manufacturing, energy efficiency or microgeneration.
• Simplifying the English business support landscape for net zero by establishing one business support brand across England, e.g. Business England. This can make it easier for businesses of different sizes to navigate, whilst maintaining the connection to local support.
• Offering small businesses a combination of audits and grants for net zero where possible. Audits provide clarity over the required steps which are tailored to specific needs. For most small businesses, participation and help overcoming the financial barrier many businesses face in the transition to net zero.

Richard Askew, FSB England Policy Unit Chair, said: “Small businesses play a critical role in reaching net zero by 2050 and it’s encouraging to see that many firms are taking steps to mitigate their impact on the environment – from installing basic measures such as LED lighting to becoming fully self-sufficient microgenerators. “But reaching net zero is a complex process and there are still many small businesses that lack the money, resources and time to progress their decarbonising efforts. “Despite the availability of various programmes and interventions aimed at net zero practices, there are major concerns about their accessibility and reach. These existing programmes are also now facing uncertainty due to the end of the European Regional Development Fund, changing the funding landscape. This report outlines ways in which the current gap between engagement and achieving net zero can be closed. To make sure we remain on track towards net zero, we need to make sure existing barriers are overcome so that small firms can access the right support.” Dr Kevin Mole, Associate Professor at Warwick Business School and author of the report, said: “Our research has found that net zero support in England is fragmented and piecemeal, which is concerning when we consider the scale of the climate challenge we are facing. Small firms are being asked to pick up the bill for net zero when they are still recovering from the impacts of the pandemic and find themselves in the midst of a cost of living crisis. This situation urgently needs to be addressed and more investment in support is clearly justified given that the benefits from moving to net zero are shared by all of us.”