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Lidl GB pledges further £2 billion to British food businesses

Helen Greaney
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Lidl GB pledges further £2 billion to British food businesses

Lidl GB has further boosted its existing £15 billion investment in the British food industry.

The popular retailer had committed to funding between 2020 and 2025 but has now increased that pledge to £17 billion.

Lidl GB works with more than 650 suppliers across the country and sources two thirds of its core produce from the UK.

Paramount to success

The supermarket has been forthcoming in saying that the farmers and producers that supply its goods have been paramount to the success of the business.

Lidl enjoyed some noticeable sales increases, with a rise of almost 25% over December, compared to the same period in 2021.

The discounter has long championed British food and farming and over-trades in British meat, poultry and eggs – currently holding the largest market share in volume of fresh British pork.

Overseas cheese

Cheese is another great export for Lidl shoppers overseas, with Lidl GB sending more than £50 million of British cheese to Europe.

Westcountry cheddar cheese supplier Wyke Farms has worked with Lidl since 1994 and currently has a long-term contact with Lidl GB until 2028, a deal worth £35m a year. As a result of its longstanding relationship with Lidl GB, Wyke is now exporting to 16 other Lidl markets, with Poland being the biggest fans of Somerset Vintage Cheddar outside of Great Britain.

Ryan McDonnell, CEO at Lidl GB, said: “We see them as partners in our mission to provide households with high quality affordable produce, and for many, working with Lidl GB and being part of our growth has opened opportunities for their own expansion, both here in the UK and across the globe.”

Martin Kottbauer, chief trading Officer at Lidl GB, added: “Providing our suppliers with the security and certainty needed for them to invest and grow has been a big focus for us over the years. It’s why we’ve led the industry on the introduction of longer-term contracts, and it’s why our continued investment in the British food and farming industry remains an absolute priority for our business.”

Lidl has over 70 supermarkets across London, and a total of 950 UK stores. 

Historic lifeboat station makes final move from Tower Bridge

Helen Greaney
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Historic lifeboat station makes final move from Tower Bridge

Pic thanks to RNLI/Hallmark Broadcast

London’s RNLI rescue station has been moved for the last time, after 16 years in operation.

While the station has become unfit for purpose, it’s not the end for the crew at Tower Bridge.

They’ll be continuing their great work from HMS President, before a new station launches in April.

The team has launched the lifeboat from Tower Bridge more than 9,545 times – and saved 355 lives along the Thames since 2002. Last year alone the station had 750 call outs.

While it will no longer be operational, the station will be used by the Thames Marine Services as one of its six electrical charging facilities. 

The lifeboat crew moved to reassure people that they can still call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if anyone gets into trouble along the Thames.

The station was created in wake of the 1989 tragedy on the pleasure boat Marchioness in 1989 in which 51 people died. 

Following an enquiry, the rescue service was created, and maintained with donations, including £3.5m from the  Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Officer’s Association.

The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Britain’s poorest are £600 worse off for cost of living crisis

Helen Greaney
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Britain’s poorest are £600 worse off for cost of living crisis

Startling stats reveal that the gap between Britain’s richest and poorest has widened due to the freeze in income tax thresholds and the current cost of living crisis.

The wealthiest fifth of the country have boosted their household disposable income by more than £1000, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). They’ve also managed a 1.6 increase in pay, bringing the average salary in this bracket to £66,000 per annum.

The data shows how the cost of living crisis has disproportionately impacted the least well off in Britain, with the richest now more than £51,000 wealthier than the poorest.

A reduction in benefits in 2021 also hit poorer families hard.

“Wages and salaries increased by 3.2 per cent across all households, however, the poorest fifth of people saw a 7.5 per cent decrease, while the richest fifth saw a 7.8 per cent increase,” the ONS said.

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During the pandemic, then chancellor Rishi Sunak added £20 to weekly benefit payments but by 2021 this was stopped.

A staggering rise in food and energy bills have also pushed the poorest to the brink.

“Richer households have far more ability to cut back on their spending as more of it goes on non-essentials, such as holidays and luxury items,” ONS added.

£12 million invested in rail infrastructure at London Gateway to meet demand

Helen Greaney
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£12 million invested in rail infrastructure at London Gateway to meet demand

Global logistics provider DP World is spending £12 million on two new Rail Mounted Gantry cranes at London Gateway.

The cranes – used for the quick, safe, automated handling of containers – will help increase rail capacity there by 50 per cent and are needed to meet growing demand from customers.

DP World runs the UK’s most advanced logistics hubs at London Gateway and Southampton: two deep water ports with access to freight rail terminals.

It also operates ports, terminals and logistics businesses on six continents.

Andrew Bowen, port operations director at London Gateway, said: “After the disruption of recent years, shipping lines and cargo owners are looking for capacity, reliability and growth opportunities and DP World will deliver on all three fronts.

“This is the latest step forward in our journey to becoming an end-to-end logistics provider.”

The firm had already launched a new train service to connect the container terminals at London Gateway and Southampton, enabling customers to switch volumes easily.

The DP World-operated round service carries cargo including fresh fruit, beverages and consumer goods in less than five hours, taking up to 120 lorries a week off the roads. 

It is thought that the project will support 1,000 jobs.

DP World has also earmarked a further £1 billion of investment in the UK over the next decade.

Highly esteemed British Medical Association contract accredited to the JMW Employment team

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Highly esteemed British Medical Association contract accredited to the JMW Employment team

The highly regarded JMW Employment team has been elected to the British Medical Association’s (BMA) legal panel, with the role of providing support to its members.

The BMA is currently made up of more than 170,000 members, making up the professional body and trade union for doctors. The organisation offers representation and specialist advice to its members and is an integral addition to the JMW Employment team’s portfolio of clients.

The JMW Employment team, ranked in the legal directories Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, is led by Paul Chamberlain, a UK-leading employment law specialist who is described in Chambers as being “very professional and extremely knowledgeable”.

He said: “The BMA has tasked us with providing its members with legal support well including representing them in the Employment Tribunal and County Court where necessary.

“We won our appointment based on a number of key factors, including our reputation as a national firm with excellent employment law and employment litigation experience, our ability to conduct Tribunal cases in all four nations and our being able to offer the BMA a team of accomplished employment law partners and solicitors operating at a senior level.

“Being appointed to the BMA panel after an extremely competitive tender process is testament to the talent, expertise and hard work of our team.”

Carbon neutral architects share ambitious sustainability targets

Helen Greaney
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Carbon neutral architects share ambitious sustainability targets

Architecture practice Pascall+Watson has announced ambitious new sustainability targets – which include a pledge to reduce the company’s emissions by 90 per cent by 2040.

The firm started 2023 as a carbon neutral business. 

The practice has committed to a 46 per cent reduction in emissions compared to its 2019 figures by 2030, targeting an average 4 per cent decrease each year – other than up to 2025, when it plans to achieve cuts above this average.

From there, the company aims to achieve an overall reduction in emissions of 90 per cent by 2040. Its targets have now been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). 

Planting trees

Pascall+Watson, which has offices in London, Dublin, Limerick and Abu Dhabi, has recently signed up to the Carbon Footprint Tree Planting Programme.

This means it will plant 690 trees in London and the South East to offset its emissions. The planting will predominantly be in school grounds, reserves and managed woodland, where the trees will live their natural lifespan, meet biodiversity targets, provide wildlife habitats and enhance the natural UK landscape. 

The practice has also invested in a new Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) windfarm project, to generate a clean form of electricity through renewable sources which will result in carbon emission reductions each year. 

Sustainability strategy

The company’s sustainability strategy contains two distinctive strands – how it will operate sustainably as a business and how it will deliver sustainable design goals within its projects – which were developed by its in-house Sustainability Leadership Team. To achieve the targets set, the practice strategy has been founded on six sustainability pillars – which have been influenced by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Pascall+Watson’s plans and initiatives have all been developed in line with both the UK Government’s commitment to achieving net zero, and the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.

To ensure continued accountability, Pascall+Waston – which has specialist expertise in the transportation, education, leisure, hospitality, healthcare, retail and workplace sectors – will have its efforts objectively verified by designated organisations. These include Cundall, a multi-disciplinary consultancy delivering sustainable engineering and design solutions across the built environment, and the British Standards Institute.

Zero emissions

Phillip Wilson, Associate and Sustainability Lead at Pascall+Watson, said: “The UK government has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. We know that to achieve this, we need to act now, and have a rapid and deep impact by reducing our emissions to create a more sustainable environment for all.

“As such, we’ve engaged with a series of initiatives and created a wealth of processes which offer a great opportunity for us to reduce our operational carbon, and which enable us to make a calculable and tangible difference in areas that have typically poor sustainability performance. These include sectors like aviation, where we are proactively aiming to set a benchmark in terms of sustainability in design and construction. 

“We’ve already made real progress in reducing our carbon footprint over the past few years and believe we’ll achieve – if not exceed – our new targets. This is a genuine priority for us; we have a responsibility to get this right for ourselves and for our clients, and all those impacted by our work.”

Chelsea Prep School Welcomes New Headmistress

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<strong>Chelsea Prep School Welcomes New Headmistress</strong>

One of London’s leading preparatory schools, Cameron Vale, has appointed a new Headmistress with decades of experience shaping outstanding educational outcomes for young children and the schools in which they thrive.

Alison Melrose has joined the excellent-rated Chelsea prep school and nursery with an impressive career story to date, having previously worked as the founding Head at Prince’s Garden Preparatory School in Kensington as well as developing her own business as a talented educational consultant.

After graduating from Durham University, Mrs Melrose has held a variety of roles across Preparatory Schools in London, accumulating over 25 years’ experience in the education sector.

Mrs Melrose, who is a member of IAPS and in addition to her post at Prince’s Gardens has also been the Head of Broomwood Hall, Garrad’s Road, for eight years, said: “I’m delighted to have assumed the role of Headmistress at Cameron Vale and I am very much looking forward to getting to know each and every child, parent and member of staff individually over the coming weeks.

“Cameron Vale appealed to me not only for its excellent reputation, but also for its family-feel and incredibly inspiring ethos and values. I have experience of both academic and operational aspects of school life, having also worked across the Northwood Schools group as Director of Operations and supporting my local primary school as a governor for seven years – so I feel perfectly placed to build upon the brilliant work of the previous Head, Miss Saul, and to continue and enhance the world-class learning opportunities on offer at Cameron Vale.”

Mrs Melrose will also be reviewing the school’s enrichment and co-curricular programme at Cameron Vale and drawing from her wealth of knowledge and connections in the local area.

Mrs Melrose added: “I feel passionately about community within a school and how important it is to build strong links between home and school to ensure the best education for each child to flourish. I will continue to build on Cameron Vale’s academic success and I’m keen to develop the five school values with a multi-purpose ‘C Lab’, to support the key skills in being courageous, curious, collaborative, creative and critical thinkers.”

John Forsyth, CEO of Forfar Education which owns and operates the school alongside six other outstanding prep schools across the UK, said: “We believe that Alison will be the perfect fit for Cameron Vale. The vast amount of experience she has, not only in the private education sector but also in the wider education arena, means she will be able to bring a variety of new ideas to the curriculum and boldly take the school into a new era.

“With her approach and dedication to both academic and personal development, the children will be able to flourish in all aspects of their lives and be prepared to continue their education in the top secondary schools and beyond.”

Cameron Vale and The Chelsea Nursery are part of a world-class family of schools, owned and managed by Forfar Education, a company that specialises in the education of children. Accepting children from six months to 11, both Cameron Vale and The Chelsea Nursery put the child’s enjoyment of education at the heart of everything they do.

Council tax increase will fund 500 extra PCSOs

Helen Greaney
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Council tax increase will fund 500 extra PCSOs

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has moved to protect public services by increasing council tax to fund vital police recruits.

In his draft budget for the Greater London Authority Group, the Mayor will announce that he’s planning to increase council tax by £15 for an average ‘Band D’ property in 2023-24.

The cash raised – thought to be around £29 million – will be specifically invested to fund 500 additional Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to work in areas of London which are disproportionately impacted by crime.

The new Commissioner has set out how the Met needs an additional £827 million a year to have the same real-terms per-head budget as in 2010-11.

But after years of cost-cutting, ministers are refusing to provide the complete investment that the city needs – around £160 million.

The Mayor has previously invested record amounts for police support, enabling another 1,300 officers to be present on the streets.

Mr Khan said: “The last thing I want to do is increase council tax at a time when many household budgets are stretched, but the Government’s refusal to provide the funding our city needs means I’ve been left with no viable alternative but to help plug the gap by raising council tax by £3.21 a month.

“Bearing down on violent crime and making our city safer for everyone remains my number one priority. The extra funding for the police will go directly towards putting an additional 500 Police Community Support Officers into neighbourhoods across London. This will help us to build on the progress we’re making to reduce violent crime in London.”

Why Choose A Bridging Loan? by Mike Collins, Mortgage Expert

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Why Choose A Bridging Loan? by Mike Collins, Mortgage Expert

Independent financial consultant Mike Collins explains why a bridging loan can be a handy prospect

With property chains still flagging after the pandemic, you may be keen to buy your new house.

But what if your mortgage offer is due to expire? With interest rates sky high, you might end up paying much more than you want to on your monthly payment if your offer ends up running out.

If you’re fearing the worst – that you might lose your dream home – there is something you can consider.

What’s a bridging loan?

An interest-only bridging loan can be used where you need access to funds immediately. It’s a good short-term cash answer to help you fill the gap between selling your home and buying your onward purchase.

 Perhaps you want to buy a property at auction and need funds upright. A bridging loan could help here too.

Mike Collins, who has 17 years’ experience in financial planning, said: “Delays are inevitable at the moment but there is definitely a sign of shorter times ahead from sale of your existing home and completion of your new.

“A bridging loan can be particularly helpful in situations like these, but it is important to note that interest rates are much higher on these. They can be paid back over a few short months now which could be the difference between you managing too grasp or losing your dream home.”

Interest rate for bridging loans

When it comes to bridging loans you could pick a fixed interest rate which is best if you like to know exactly what you’ve got to pay out each month.

Whilst the Bank of England is ever-increasing its base rate, a variable loan is not your friend just now.

The type of loan you choose will also determine the interest rate. It can vary depending on the length of loan you want but terms are only for up to a year.

Access to cash immediately

If you need your hands on the money quickly, bridging loans are fast to arrange – much more so that mortgages or other forms of secured loans.

You could expect to see funds released in as few as three days. This sets bridging loans apart from other financial products.

Ultimately the best way to get a bridging loan is to have a great exit strategy. If you can prove you can pay the loan back when the term ends, you’re onto a winner.

No worries about bad credit

As many financial products, your credit rating signifies the rate on your bridging loan. If you do have other loans or credit card debt, it’s good to know that lenders to place emphasis on the property value related to the loan rather than your credit score alone.

You can find out fairly quickly whether you qualify too as there is not a big list of checks. The loan is secured against a valuable asset.

Fix a broken chain

If you’re in a broken property chain, bridging loans are a good means to purchase a property which otherwise might seem impossible.

However, it’s worth remembering that interest rates are the highest they’ve been for years, so you’d need to really do your research or talk to a financial advisor about your options.

These loans can be deemed lifesavers for buyers and property developers.

Just ensure you pick a lender that is accredited by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Mike Collins Mortgage Expert – What kind of property development finance is required?

TAS Hospital Istanbul opening marked by live demonstrations of rhinoplasty, face lift, and neck lift surgeries

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TAS Hospital Istanbul opening marked by live demonstrations of rhinoplasty, face lift, and neck lift surgeries

Renowned surgeon Prof. Dr. Suleyman TAS leads training course in rhinoplasty, face lift, and neck lift at TAS Hospital Istanbul opening

The 4th Closed Atraumatic Rhinoplasty, Face Lift, and Neck Lift Course was held to celebrate the opening of TAS Hospital in Istanbul, drawing hundreds of surgeons from around the world. Led by world-renowned surgeon Prof. Dr. Suleyman TAS, the course featured live surgeries and the opportunity for attendees to practice on fresh cadavers. Remote surgeons were able to watch the course online.

Prof. Dr. TAS said: “This year, the course that we organize annually was held in honor of the opening of the TAS Hospital”.

Participating surgeons were given the opportunity to learn more about best practices in different surgical procedures, especially in rhinoplasty, face lift and neck lift from Prof. Dr. TAS, who has been organizing similar courses for domestic and international consumption for the past 6 years, while patients also attended to view the best results from operations. Every year, patients from all over the world visit Turkiye to undergo procedures to alter their appearance, leaving the country more confident and happier. Prof. Dr. Suleyman TAS, who has made a significant contribution to the Turkish health sector, also showcased his book.

RHINOPLASTY, FACE LIFT AND NECK LIFT PROCEDURES BROADCAST LIVE

During the 2-day event, Prof. Dr. Suleyman TAS performed live rhinoplasty, breathing surgery, face lift surgery, a neck lift, facial and fat injection procedures, and gave information to over 100 attendee surgeons about the latest developments and technologies used in these operations. Although there are other courses on rhinoplasty, this event was unique as it included the first-ever comprehensive course in which surgeons were presented with the opportunity to learn about performing procedures encompassing the entire body using cadavers.

STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY

Prof. Dr. TAS commented, “We use state-of-the-art technology to achieve the best results before, during, and after the surgery. Micromotor, Fractional Rejuvenation Technology, and Surgical Laser Technologies are just some of the examples of the cutting-edge technologies we use in our procedures. Also, we use our own patented devices to execute any required improvements, transcending the limits set by the current technology. TAS-patented instruments used in operations and the TAS Cast, which offers rapid recovery and pain relief after surgery, are our prominent innovations.”

About TAS Hospital

The TAS Health Group was founded by Prof. Dr. Suleyman TAS. The group’s first clinic, the TAS Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, was opened in Istanbul, followed shortly after by the TAS Global Headquarters, again in Istanbul, aiming to achieve maximum patient satisfaction. TAS Health Group also established TAS Health in London, UK, taking its top-notch services abroad. To offer the best possible services to its patients, TAS Hospital was opened in Istanbul in November with a ceremony attended by over 100 surgeons. The 8-story building has a total indoor area of 5,000 square meters and TAS Hospital employs over 100 experts at the largest private hospital in the most strategic area of Istanbul.

TAS Hospital has a thirty-bed capacity, three operating rooms fully equipped with the latest technology, five hair transplant rooms, three dental treatment rooms, five medical aesthetic rooms, doctor’s polyclinic rooms in 16 different branches, audiometer, radiography, MR, and tomography rooms, 24/7 emergency services, and a medical laboratory, all combined to provide excellent service to patients.

The hospital offers comprehensive services for Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery services (Rhinoplasty, Face Lift, Neck Lift, Fox Eyes, Breast Aesthetics, Hair Transplantation, and Aesthetic Dentistry), Dermatology, Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Physiotherapy, Orthopedics and Traumatology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Radiology, General Surgery and Metabolic Surgery, Hair Transplantation, Dental Diseases, Laser Epilation and Beauty Unit, Mammography, Ozone Therapy, Nutrition and Dietician, Psychology, Medical Check Up, and Medical Home Services.

With more than 200 employees worldwide, TAS Health Group continues to take confident and rapid steps to becoming Turkiye’s most prominent health institution.

Why TAS?

Although the word “TAS” taken from the surname of the founder Prof. Dr. Suleyman TAS, it is also an abbreviation that stands for Timeless Aesthetic Surgery. TAS Health Group has chosen to use this brand to reflect the company’s goal of offering health services that transcend time, and to highlight its dedication to perfectionism and pursuing the impossible task of achieving the eternal.

“Using the latest scientific and technological innovation, we at TAS Hospital always offer reliable health services in line with our mission to achieve the best quality.”

Contact:
Ahmet Tas
[email protected]

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