Sirius News Bulletin - 5th July 2021

Sirius News Bulletin - 5th July 2021

This bulletin provides a summary of topical news, announcements and policy developments affecting business across the UK.

Food

New food eco-labelling scheme

A new traffic-light food-labelling scheme will be launched in September. The new labels will display a product’s carbon emissions, water usage and impact on biodiversity as well as the impact from farming, processing, packaging and transporting. Nestle, Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Sainsbury’s have signed up to the scheme.
Read more about the scheme at: www.thegrocer.eo.uk/sourcing/foundation-earth-food-companies-and-retailers-combine-to-create-new-eco­ labelling-scheme/657445.article


eBay

eBay replaces PayPal

eBay sellers will now be paid directly into their bank account rather than through PayPal, under new rules which came into effect on 1 June. Buyers can still use PayPal to purchase items, but the selling process now takes place solely via eBay’s managed payments system.
Read more about the change at: www.which.co.uk/news/2021/06/ebay-replaces-paypaI-what-it-mea ns-for-buyers-and-sellers/?

 

Retail
Russian discounter to open over 300 UK stores

Russian discount chain Mere has plans to open over 300 stores in the UK within the next eight to ten years. The retailer said it will undercut Lidl and Aldi by up to 30%. The first four stores will open later this year, in Preston, Castleford, Caldicot and Mold.
Read more about the plans at: www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/06/russia n-discounter-mere-to-open-over-300-uk-stores


Construction

Staycation demand to boost construction

A Barclays survey has highlighted a potential staycation windfall of almost £31 billion for the top ten UK holiday destinations. In these areas an increase in planning approval for hotels, campsites and guesthouses has been predicted, which could benefit construction firms. Cornwall, the Lake District, Devon and Yorkshire are among the regions most likely to benefit.
Read more about the survey at: www.glenigan.com/staycation-demand-to-boost-construction-in-key-regions

 

Heritage skills

New heritage skills apprenticeship programme

A new £4.3 million five-year programme to help address heritage skills shortages in the construction sector has been announced by the Hamish Ogston Foundation and Historic England. The programme will fund an in-work heritage skills and apprenticeship scheme covering bricklaying, carpentry, painting and decorating, plastering, roofing and stonemasonry.
Read more about the programme at: https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/traditi onaI-heritage-skiIls-to-be-saved-through-new­ app renticeship-programme/


Farm funding

UK farming schemes to see ‘even three-way funding split’

Farmers will see an even three-way funding split between the UK’s future farming schemes from 2028, the Government has confirmed. The funding will be split over the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery and Landscape Recovery schemes which will make up the Environmental Land Management scheme and help farmers deliver environmental projects.
Read more about the schemes at: www.farminguk.com/news/uk-farming-schemes-to-see-even-three-way-funding-split- 58479.html

 

Agriculture

Farmer numbers expected to fall in next decade

A fall in the number of full-time British farmers is to be expected over the next 10 years, due to cuts to farm support. A report by Andersons estimates that the number of full-time UK farm businesses will fall by 20% from about 54,000 in 2020 to just 42,300 by 2030.
Read more about the fall at: www.fwi.eo.uk/news/farm-policy/farmer-numbers-expected-to-plummet-as-bps-is-taken-away


Office premises

Office density guidance to be revised

The British Council for Offices (BCO) is preparing to change its guidelines on office density which could impact on office landlords, flexible workspace operators and businesses. The recommended space per person is likely to increase to make social distancing easier. The current BCO guidance recommends eight to ten square metres per person for each workspace.
Read more about the guidance at: www.propertyweek.com/news/bco-set-to-revise-density-guidance/5114926.article


Tech

New guidance for tech companies to protect people online

The Government has published guidance for small tech companies to help them better protect users on line. The guidance also covers providing an appropriate experience for children, using tools such as age-assurance and age-verification methods.
Read more about the guidance at: www.gov.uk/government/news/new-guidance-for-tech-companies-to-protect-people-online


Professions

New funding to support UK professional and business services regulators

A new pilot funding programme will help UK professional and business services regulators and professional bodies make overseas recognition arrangements. Recognition arrangements make it easier for UK professionals to have their professional qualifications recognised outside the UK and deliver services overseas.
Read more about the funding at: www.gov.uk/government/news/new-funding-to-support-uk-professional-and-business-services-regulators


Fake reviews

CMA to investigate Amazon and Google over fake reviews

The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a formal investigation into Amazon and Google over concerns that they have not been doing enough to combat fake reviews on their sites.
The investigation will determine if they have broken consumer law by taking insufficient action to protect shoppers.
Read more about the investigation at: www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-investigate-amazon-and-google-over-fake-reviews

 

DISCLAIMER While all reasonable efforts have been made, the publisher makes no warranties that this information is accurate and up-to-date.