For many businesses, applying for a sponsor licence is the first step towards accessing a broader talent pool and developing a competitive edge in recruitment. You need a sponsor licence to employ most workers from overseas, as you must issue a Certificate of Sponsorship to each employee to enable them to apply for a UK work visa.

Business confidence in Yorkshire and the Humber fell 26 points to 34% in April. Firms’ optimism in their own trading prospects fell 36 points to 34%, while optimism in the economy dipped 16 points to 34%. Overall UK confidence held steady at 42% in April – the same level as in March and February

The BCC remains concerned about the impact on small British businesses of new customs checks and charges that come into force tomorrow (April 30). The second phase of the UK’s Border Target Operating Model will introduce charges of up to £145 for imports of plant and animal products.

Barclays has posted a strong foundation for the delivery of2024 guidance; Guided GBP 1b of cost savings seems challenging unless more headcount reduction; WH Smith: Air travel boom will benefit footfall in the airports; Struggle on the high street is likely to continue; US Market is crucial for future growth; Sainsbury's: Grocery inflation is decreasing but still face challen…

With political parties searching for revenue raising policies ahead of the election, Chris Etherington Private Client Partner in the Leeds office at audit, tax and consulting firm RSMUK looks at the potential implications of a policy highlighted in recently published commentary from the Institute of Fiscal Studies in restricting certain inheritance tax reliefs. What might the real-life consequences be for taxpayers of such a move and could it genuinely raise much needed funds for general election spending pledges?

Boxphish – a Leeds-headquartered human risk management platform – has announced a £3.25 million investment from BGF, one of the largest and most experienced investors in the UK and Ireland.

Retail sales fell sharply in the year to April, according to the latest monthly CBI Distributive Trades Survey. This follows no change in sales over March. While the earlier timing of Easter this year likely played a role in April’s decline, the fall in retail sales was nonetheless greater than expected. Sales are expected to continue falling next month, but at a slower pace.

Business confidence in Yorkshire and the Humber has soared into positive territory and is now higher than in any other UK region or nation, a new survey has found. Chartered accountancy body ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor put sentiment in the region at 26.1 for Q1 2024, a marked increase from the previous quarter when the index was in negative territory.

Increased concerns from Yorkshire businesses around cybercrime are driving a widening skills gap, according to technology specialists at SPG Resourcing. The UK government estimates the economic cost of cybercrime to UK businesses is £21 billion per year, including losses from intellectual property theft, industrial espionage, extortion, and data breaches.

Advanced engineering company Synthotech has completed a merger with HMG Water Solutions in a move that will support its growth plans in the utility sector. Synthotech provides advanced engineering services and in-pipe robotics to utility companies worldwide.