Business News

Unmarried couples do not share the same legal rights as those who are wedlocked – yet 2 in 3 people who are looking to buy a house aren’t aware of the rules, new research by Birmingham law firm Shakespeare Martineau has revealed. Nearly half (47%) of those surveyed incorrectly believe a common law spouse exists, with a further 20% unsure of the difference in rights – meaning 67% of homeowners are at risk of losing out on what is rightfully theirs through a lack of knowledge.

New research has revealed the UK local authorities that are increasing their construction funding at the fastest rate, with some councils upping their spend by more than 5,000% over five years. IronmongeryDirect issued Freedom of Information requests to each local authority and asked how much they spent on construction projects, including buildings, roads and railways, in the 2015/16 and 2020/21 financial years, to see how investment has changed over time. 

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is urging people to register their interest in the tens of thousands job opportunities that will become available between now and the Games.

The recruitment drive has been launched today to encourage people to register their interest in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of the biggest event ever to take place in the West Midlands.

National law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has been named as one of the best firms for work/life balance. The firm earned second place for best work/life balance in the RollonFriday ‘Best Law Firms To Work At’ 2022 survey with 81 percent of staff reporting that they were satisfied.  

Clarke Willmott came a very close second to DAC Beachcroft which took the top spot with 83 percent of staff reporting satisfaction. 

The pace of wage growth slowed in January, with the average rates of pay advertised in job vacancies rising by just 3.4% on an annual basis1 — lagging well behind consumer price inflation, according to a new analysis by the world’s largest job site Indeed.

Indeed’s study of advertised wages in January showed a marked slowdown compared to December, when annual pay growth had stood at 4.1%.

Rail passengers are being advised of changes to journeys over nine days this month while essential engineering work takes place at Water Orton in North Warwickshire and Duddeston in Birmingham.

Major alterations to track and lineside drainage will take place between 19 and 27 February as part of long-term improvements to the network, including preparations for HS2 – Britain’s new zero carbon, high-speed railway.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said that he will oppose the appointment of a new Metropolitan Police chief unless they have a robust plan to deal with the force's cultural problems. Dame Cressida Dick resigned from the role over Mr Khan's lack of confidence in her plans for reform.

Funding for infrastructure, land regeneration and job training schemes to help drive the region’s post Covid-19 economic recovery and fight climate change has been set out in this year’s West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) budget.

A package of major transport projects to tackle air pollution and better connect people to jobs, education and training opportunities are included in a 2022/23 WMCA budget totalling £879.2m.

While the cold of winter currently keeps us wrapped up indoors, many Brits stay warm with thoughts of summer barbecues, parties in the sunshine, and eating al fresco.

Yet, come springtime, we typically find that our gardens are in no shape to host any sort of fun in the sun. In these cases, should we turn to a professional for help or roll our sleeves up and get stuck in ourselves?

Up to 99 more affordable homes are being made available for first-time buyers at the Perry Barr Residential Scheme (PBRS).

The announcement follows a successful bid for funding by Birmingham City Council for a new Government-backed scheme delivered by Homes England.

Nominations have officially opened for the ninth Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) ahead of its Awards Ceremony in September. For almost a decade, the BBBAwards have shone a light on the exceptional achievements of Black British business professionals and entrepreneurs who have made extraordinary contributions to the UK economy. This year’s Ceremony will be held in the city of London on the 29^th September.

Chris Oglesby, CEO of property giant Bruntwood shares his thoughts on the Levelling Up White Paper released by the government recently.

Also chair of Innovation Greater Manchester, he said: “One of the most eye-catching positives in today’s Levelling Up White Paper is the commitment to increase R&D spending outside of London and the South East. The current imbalance here mirrors the regional inequalities that are at the heart of Levelling Up. 

A floating upcycled jewellery maker has arrived in the Black Country. Rich MacKenzie runs by Bike & Boat and travels the waterways of the UK, making and selling his upcycled copper creations along the way. For the next week, the 42-year-old, with his family and two furry friends, will be setting up his workshop from his 60ft narrowboat moored on the canal in Dudley.

Godin London, a new jewellery brand in the UK, has been launched by Orchid Global Sourcing. The brand offers a wide range of rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. They feature 9ct. Gold, Diamonds, and Gemstone jewellery.

This latest jewellery brand is set to hit the UK market with a collection of 9ct. Gold jewellery through the start of its online store.

New research by Acas has found that over a third (35%) of British employers have not spoken to their staff about their mental health and wellbeing over the past year during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Acas commissioned YouGov to ask businesses in Britain about whether they had personally talked to their staff about their mental health in the last 12 months during the pandemic. The poll found that:

A leading Birmingham industrialist has welcomed the recent ‘electrification’ investment into the West Midlands but called for the region to do more to make sure ‘local content supply’ is on the agenda.

Grayson Thermal Systems’ Stuart Hateley believes we are poised to miss a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to ensure that all tiers of the supply chain have the chance to benefit from the move to more sustainable vehicles.