West Country (W) Business News

The leader of the union representing 21,000 workers in the nuclear decommissioning and energy supply industry has called on all parties involved in negotiations to redouble their efforts to reach agreement on a strike price for electricity generated by the planned Hinkley Point C in Somerset.

Alan Leighton, the National Secretary of Prospect, made his comments following today's announcement from EDF that it plans to scale back on preparatory work for the project and reduce the number of people working on it in a bid to control costs.

"Our members' fear that any delay in the preparation work could impede or delay EDF's ability to bring the project to fruition once agreement has been reached.Prospect is committed to an appropriate energy mix for the UK, including gas and renewables, but it is undoubtedly the case that nuclear and nuclear new build will be pivotal if we are to achieve the twin goals of capacity and security of supply.

We hope that this announcement will encourage all involved in the talks to redouble their efforts to agree a strike price. Particularly as it comes so soon after the recent warning from outgoing Ofgem head, Alistair Buchanan, that we are facing an imminent capacity crunch in the UK unless urgent action is taken.Without an agreement we risk losing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to meet the country's decarbonisation targets and help build a new economy that provides good quality jobs and growth for the UK."

• UK
• Hinkley Point
• Somerset

Increasing costs and reduced revenue has led to Imerys carrying out a strategic review of its Long Distance Lorry Fleet, which consists of 8 lorries.

As a result of this review, taking all factors into account, including the escalating maintenance costs of the fleet, Imerys is now proposing to outsource its Long Distance Fleet operations.

• UK
• Cornwall
• St Austell

Plymouth based UTC Aerospace Systems has won a 2013 Queen's Award for Enterprise, the highest official UK honour for British business. The award, in the category of Innovation, recognises the international success of the business’s unique, miniature, solid state gyroscopic devices.

These inertial measurement units (IMUs) help guide a wide variety of systems including air and land vehicles, missiles and shells.

This is the company's third Queen's Award for Enterprise in ten years. The first, in 2004, recognised the IMU design while the second, in 2011, recognised the company’s success in tripling exports.

• Business

The average asking price for a house here in the West Country has gone up by almost four per cent, in just a month. In real terms that means the average price of a home on the market here is just under £260,000.

Experts in the industry say it could be a sign of a revival in the property market. But what does it mean for those who want to buy a home?

• UK
• House prices

Estate Agents in the region are reporting an increase in confidence among buyers.

Malcolm Prescott, of Webbers Estate Agency, reports that houses are selling quickly at the right price. In Braunton, since the start of the year, his agency has sold 9 properties within days of coming on the market.

• UK
• House Prices

The price of houses in the West Country has gone up by 3.9% in the last month. That's according to the Rightmove House Price Index.

The average price of a house in this region has risen from £253,897 in March to £263,870 in April.

• UK
• House Prices

The business owners are angry at Torbay Council's decision to increase pavement table fees by as much as 600%. It has been described as a tax on "cafe culture" and some Torquay harbourside businesses say it could force them to close their doors.

• UK

As British Summer Time starts this weekend, we examine how the wintry weather is affecting life in our region. Our reporter Seth Conway has been talking to shoppers and shopkeepers to find out if this prolonged cold snap is bad news for the High Street.

• UK

Cafe owners in Torbay are angry at council plans to increase fees for pavement tables by as much as 600 per cent. They say the charges due to come into force next month could put them out of business. Torbay Council says it is reviewing the fees following concerns from businesses.

• UK