Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has said the ministry is firmly focused on strengthening industry, deepening agribusiness development and improving the trade environment as the country prepares for the next phase of economic transformation in 2026. She explained that this focus is being driven by deliberate engagement with industry players to address long-standing bottlenecks and foster a more supportive business environment. “The ministry has prioritised consultations with manufacturers, exporters, traders, and agribusiness practitioners to better understand their challenges and to develop practical, policy-based solutions.” “These engagements have informed key interventions aimed at boosting productivity and competitiveness,”…

Simon Appleby, 40,  of Letton in Bucknell, sent himself the money from the woman’s laptop over the course of three years while claiming to carry out work on her home.The woman in her 80s had first employed him as a cleaner, but he continued to visit her to carry out odd jobs after the cleaning company went bust.She then trustingly gave him access to her online banking account in order to pay himself.Appleby made 41 payments to himself from September 2019 until she died in December 2022.He claimed some of the payments were to purchase materials he brought to help with…

Households that rely on gas boilers are set to be hit with a new green levy under plans being prepared by energy secretary, Ed Miliband, with the proceeds used to subsidise heat pumps and other low-carbon technologies. Miliband is expected to reveal a £15 billion “warm homes” programme early in the new year after protracted negotiations with the Treasury. Central to the proposal is a shift in how energy costs are shared, forcing gas users to shoulder a greater share of the burden to make electricity cheaper.Under plans being discussed within government, a levy of around £30 a year would be…

The Alex Café Bar & Brasserie hosted the Rotary Club of Felixstowe’s Kids Kitchen initiative which featured eight students from Felixstowe High School. The students completed a four week course where they gained experience of working in a professional kitchen learning to prepare and serve up a variety of dishes. The four week course saw the students learn to make a Christmas menu in a professional kitchen. (Image: Zoe Natasha Abbott) Under the watchful eye of Alex staff, the young chefs learnt how to prepare a Christmas menu. Across the four weeks they learnt to make; a chocolate and pecan…

Saira Ali, the council’s team leader for landscape design and conservation, will take up the national role of president-elect next month. She will serve a one-year term alongside current president Carolin Göhler FLI before beginning her presidency in July 2026. Ms Ali said: “It’s a huge honour to be elected president-elect of the Landscape Institute – not just for me, but for Bradford. “This reflects the powerful, place-based work we are delivering across the district and the growing recognition of how landscape can drive real, lasting change in both rural and urban environments. “I see this role as an opportunity…

Colin Young, 54, came back to his home on Davidson Terrace in October to discover that scaffolding had been erected to undertake repair work on the roof of a neighbouring property, both at the front entrance and partially blocking the entrance to his back door, without receiving prior notice. He had recently planned to put his house on the market, with a photographer scheduled to take photos within a two-week window to allow for a £250 discount off the listing fee. The scaffolding prevented the photos from being taken, resulting in his discount becoming void and causing him significant frustration.…

Resource management company Veolia , has rolled out the scheme across East Sussex and Brighton and Hove to address a rise in fires caused by recyclable and hazardous items being placed in the wrong bins. Darren Powell, Veolia East Sussex general manager, said: “In East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, we pride ourselves on carrying out essential services whilst putting safety first in the workplace, and we do not accept our people or the communities we serve being put in danger. “This campaign aims to educate residents on how to ensure their waste is safe, and we ask everyone to…

NEW DELHI: India’s ceramic tile industry is set to cast a 4-5% increase in revenue this fiscal and 5-6% in the next—marking a rebound from an export-led decline of 2% last fiscal—on strong domestic demand even as exports decline due to the impact of tariffs imposed by the United States (US), according to Crisil Ratings.Domestic demand, accounting for about two-thirds of revenue, will continue to grow fuelled by tailwinds from residential real estate, where project launches and completion rates remain supportive, according to the rating agency. Increased preference for premium tiles, such as glazed vitrified tiles and polished glazed vitrified…

From Chichester to Eastbourne and everywhere in between, photographers have been sharing their best images of East Sussex and West Sussex throughout 2025. Here is a small selection of our favourite … From Chichester to Eastbourne and everywhere in between, photographers have been sharing their best images of East Sussex and West Sussex throughout 2025. Here is a small selection of our favourite … For more information, visit MyTradeLinks.

FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a massive blaze involving 250 tonnes of manure with locals warned to shut windows and doors. Emergency services scrambled to the scene in Brigstock, Northamptonshire, to try and douse the flames. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The fire service are tackling a blaze in Northamptonshire (stock)Credit: Getty It is expected that the blaze will burn for several days, said firefighters. Villagers and others living nearby were advised to stay away and keep their windows and doors shut. A spokesman for Northants Fire and Rescue said: “We are currently at the scene of a large…