South West Water has today announced plans which could see household bills fall by 13% in real terms by 2020. South West Water has already confirmed a price freeze on its standard tariff and standing charges to April 2015 and previously proposed to keep average bill rises below inflation to 2020. In addition, bills already include a £50 annual reduction from Government to 2020. South West Water submitted its 2015-20 business plan to Ofwat in December last year, following its biggest ever consultation, a public approval rating of 84 per cent and the support of the independently-chaired...
The South West Coast Path is inviting businesses to partner with the charity during 2014 to deliver some vital path improvements and protect this great tourism asset.
Recent research has showed that during 2012 the Coast Path had 8.6 million users across the South West which have generated around £436m to the area, an increase of almost 15% in the past three years - helping support 9,771 full-time equivalent jobs.
Recognised as one of the UK’s favourite walks with a reputation as being among the greatest long distance hikes in the world.
Devon businesses are only recruiting low numbers of young people looking for their first job since leaving education, according to research published today by Devon County Council.
The Devon County Council Workforce Skills Survey aims to better understand the issues and challenges facing businesses in Devon in relation to skills, with one of these areas being recruitment.
The research found that in the last three years, only a third (32 per cent) of businesses in Devon have employed someone in their first job since leaving school, 31 per cent since leaving a further...
Traders, businesses and community organisations who want to make the most of social media are invited to come along to the first Teignmouth and Dawlish Social Media Cafe on Thursday 10 October being held at Fresh Ground Cafe, Bank Street, Teignmouth.
The Social Media Cafe is the brainchild of Mandy Pearse, Director of local firm Seashell Communications and Emma Kay, Teignmouth and Dawlish Town Centre Development Manager. It provides a free drop-in event where people can pick up tips and hints on using social media, ask questions, meet other like-minded people over a cup of coffee...
The National Apprenticeship Service has launched a raft of new measures designed to help guide employers through the process of recruiting an apprentice. This follows yesterday’s announcement of the extension of the £1,500 Apprenticeship Grant for Employers of 16-24 year olds for another year. The grant, which is designed to help businesses (with fewer than 1000 employees) to recruit apprentices, has so far enabled over 30,000 young people to start an Apprenticeship. Two new films, ‘How to hire an apprentice’ and ‘Why hire an apprentice’, have been launched on apprentice.tv to guide...
Online Direct Debit payments provider, GoCardless, has launched an online payment tool to enable greater numbers of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK to collect variable one-off and recurring payments by Direct Debit.
Traditionally only larger, more established businesses such as utilities providers and mobile operators have been able to access the infrastructure which underpins the Direct Debit system. As a result, SMEs were excluded from accessing the system by the banks, and forced to cede control of when they are paid to unreliable customers.
These stunning aerial photos show how the developments in the Exeter & East Devon Growth Point are rapidly taking shape.
Captured by Still Imaging, the pictures provide a unique perspective on how huge investment in creating homes and employment opportunities is transforming the landscape to the east of Exeter.
Construction at the new town of Cranbrook is continuing apace. Since May last year, more than 400 homes have been started, with around 200 completed so far. Up to 6,000 homes are expected to be built by 2026.
Intellectual Property specialists at leading South West law firm, Stephens Scown LLP, have highlighted a growing number of South West businesses are turning to trade mark registration in order to protect their brands.
Research has shown that of the 25,000 UK trade marks registered in 2011, 2,047 were in the South West, an increase of 6% on the previous year, with the number of filings also increasing by 14%
Firms with trade marks are 21% more productive, and those who regularly trade mark have 20% larger workforces. Figures also highlight the importance of small and medium...
A dynamic event highlighted the wide range of medical and health research involving the University of Exeter, the NHS and business partners.
Staff from a number of University departments, the NHS, local charities and businesses, as well as students, gathered in the Forum, to speak to researchers first-hand about their pioneering work as part of a poster display.
Interdisciplinary opportunities in research were highlighted by the key note speeches from Professor Nick Stone of Physics, Dr Natalia Lawrence of Psychology, and Professor Jonathan Mill, of the University of Exeter...
Landowners, farmers and businesses across Devon and Cornwall are joining forces with the police to host two major events aimed at combating rural crime.
The events, titled ‘Preventing Crime in Rural Communities' take place in February and bring together representatives of the Country Land and Business Association, the National Farmers’ Union and the Devon and Cornwall Police along with experts from private security firms and specialist equipment suppliers who will all be looking at the ways and means of preventing crime in rural communities.
