24/02/2017 Look North (Yorkshire)

Good evening welcome to Friday's Look North.

Temporary workers in Yorkshire take on so-called "umbrella companies",

who they say are exploiting them by cutting their wages.

Shocked to see they were also taking the employers's National Insurance,

and I was paying a fee for drawing my money

from a company who apparently I'm employed by.

We will ask the trade association what it's doing to stop employees

being ripped off. The sky's the limit for South

Yorkshire's high-tech industry. Aircraft giant Boeing wants

to invest ?20 million and build its only European

factory in Sheffield, because of its world-class

facilities. And look who's skipping

into spring in Baaa-rnsley, where record numbers

of lamb triplets have been born. as sport's first transatlantic

team takes to the pitch. Can Doncaster boxer Gavin McDonnell

match his brother It would make them

the first twins in the country And it was a decent enough day

across Yorkshire today, Now, if you are one of Yorkshire's

estimated 40,000 people paid through so-called

"umbrella companies", of what we are

talking about tonight. Temporary workers paid

through some umbrella companies have been telling us

here at BBC Yorkshire that they are losing hundreds

of pounds in wages every month. And that's because they say have

no choice but to pay not only their employer's

National Insurance, In a moment, we will be hearing

from the trade organisation which defends umbrella companies,

or payroll companies. Construction workers,

supply teachers, care providers - people working in sectors

of the economy where temporary work has become the norm,

and work is less secure. And it's in this sector

of the economy that some temporary contract workers are telling us

they are being ripped off. It will work out somewhere

just under ?4,000. I thought I was getting

ripped off that much, So I phoned the union

and they took my case on. The target of these complaints

are so-called umbrella companies. These are, in effect,

middlemen who sort out wages for contractors

who have outsourced The theory is this - a contractor

requiring the service of, for instance, a builder hands

the umbrellas company the wage, then pays the worker

their monthly or weekly wages. But it's not as

straightforward as that. We spoke to workers who claim

their umbrellas companies are deducting from

their wages not only the normal rates of tax

and employee's National Insurance, but also employer's

National Insurance and holiday pay. Both of which should, in fact,

the paid by the employer. They are also paying administration

fees and even VAT on those fees. that can amount to significant

amounts of money. This construction worker

from South Yorkshire was paid through

an umbrella company. His payslips show extra

deductions alongside those which all employees

can expect to pay. He threatened to take

the company to a tribunal. when he was repaid

thousands of pounds. What I didn't understand was

the margins they were taking off us. we were paying our own holiday pay,

which I'm entitled to. Umbrella companies

will try to get round it by not paying

anybody holiday money. Also at a loss to understand

his payslips was Leeds building

worker Jerry Bird. Well, I was shocked to see

they were also taking an employer's National Insurance,

and I was paying a fee for drawing my money

from the company, Jerry has tragically died

since filming for this programme. But his family intend

to continue his legal According to the organisation

which represents umbrella companies, actually includes

the umbrella company's fee, and what it must pay the Government

for employer's National Insurance. Next month, select committee

hearings are due to begin in the House of Commons

about fairness in the workplace, and unions are bringing more

challenges through tribunals. Joining us now is Julia Kermode,

who's chief executive of the trade association

covering umbrella companies. Paying a company purely to get your

salary paid into your bank account, that grossly unfair, isn't it?

Actually, it is not just about paying accompany to process the

payroll. And brother firms actually employ crime -- contractors, so they

are able to go to fulfil short-term assignments at a bright the event

high -- at a variety of end contractors. How well they collated

is this? If there are cowboys out there? What are you doing to protect

people from being ripped off? Ours is a membership organisation. They

sign to confirm they will operate legally and ethically and

transparently. There are some less transparent firms out there, and we

get very annoyed that everyone is being tarnished with the same brush

because our members work really hard to make sure that contractors know

exactly how they are being paid and what is being deducted, so are not

these misunderstandings. We have heard about the confusion about

wages, and people try to work out what the deductions are. Would you

like to be paid by an umbrella company? I understand how it works,

that is a major issue in terms of the National Insurance and cost to

the umbrella, which need to be factored in to when the assignment

rate is set in. Those are deducted before getting to the gross pay of

the worker. What is happening is there is not always very good

indication so what the workers are being told the full package, which

includes those deductions which have to be made. But what is the worker

getting out of it? They seem to be losing all the way through. They get

continuity of employment. If they are employing for mortgages or

credit or whatever, they have the same employer throughout. They also

have the same employment rights which if they were contracting and

being paid through an agency as an agency worker, they would not have

those same rights or continuity of employment. They also get their tax

affairs that after -- looked after. This sounds great, but there are

cowboys companies out there, would you accept that? I would accept

that, and we would be very happy to be better regulated because our

members do operate compliantly and ethically, and we would welcome

that. Parliament has got wind of this now, ie willing to give

evidence to them? I absolutely am. I e-mailed this morning to say that

I'm the person to come and justify what it is all about. It is a shame

it is not more widely known about in public. Thank you.

Next tonight to more good news for South Yorkshire with aircraft

giant Boeing announcing a ?20 million investment

in what will be the company's first,

If planning permission is granted, the site -

next to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre

will make high-tech aircraft parts and also use local suppliers.

This is the part of South Yorkshire where ideas are made. 15 years ago,

Sheffield University had the idea to partner up with Boeing to create a

centre where engineers could work on designs to make engines, turbines

and aeroplanes more efficiently. That partnership has just paid off,

because Boeing are on their way. This is called the factory of the

future. It's where all of the research is done here. It is the

partnership they already have with Boeing that has made the American

firm think, the expertise is ready here, why not build a factory next

door? It's fantastic news. It is the culmination of 16 years hard work by

the team here, showing the capability of what Sheffield has to

offer. This is the other recently have come here, apprentices learning

the buttocks and computer aided design. Boeing knows their engineers

being trained up just yards away from their new factory. There is a

lot of local employers with global present or -- already, but these big

ticket companies are positive for the sector. It will be bowing's

first factory in Europe, and they have chosen to build it here,

building some of the most important parts of the plane, which moved the

wings. The factory is itself important for South Yorkshire. It is

the secondary effect for all of the suppliers and providers. We will

create four times as many jobs in the secondary businesses as in the

primary businesses. McLaren announced job creation here a few

months ago. Rolls Royce be making turbine blades here for a couple of

years. South Yorkshire build itself on heavy industry, but it is the new

stuff, the ideas that will drive it forward.

Well, the president of Boeing Europe, Sir Michael Arthur,

told me why they chose South Yorkshire.

We've chosen this because we've had a long relationship with the area

through the AM RC, we were co-founders there. We find there are

high skills in the area, particularly in advanced Manny

factory technology, which we think is world-class. So the first ever

factory that Boeing has in Europe is going to make these parts near the

AM RC outside Sheffield. How many jobs will this create, just in the

plant but in the supply chain as well? The initial build that we are

planning is ?20 million, but there will be a supply chain of the steel

rods that we use coming from the local area. Once we are up and

running, that will multiply out. How important is the relationship with

the University? They play a key role as well. They do, and it is an

important research Centre. Alongside the fabrication we are doing at the

new factory, people double down and put more investment into research

that as well. In manufacturing techniques, because that is what

Sheffield is good at. What is the timescale on this? How soon can we

see this up and running? We are waiting for planning permission,

that is the first stage, we have to get them to agree with this.

Hopefully we'll get that and then we go ahead as fast as possible so that

by the end of next year, it is up and running and churning out 7000 or

8000 parts a month, to go back to Seattle to go into planes.

We're finding out how thousands of new trees planted on moorland

in the Calder Valley could help prevent future flooding.

after he knocked down a cyclist, killing him, in Bingley last year.

Akash Rashid, who's 22 and from Bradford,

had been trying to get away from police

when he hit Andrew Platten on Cottingley Cliffe Road in July.

Mr Platten's family has paid tribute to him,

and a "truly inspirational" father who will be deeply missed.

The Huddersfield middle-distance runner

and former mile world record holder, Derek Ibbotson,

Ibbo, as he was known, set a time of three minutes

and 57.2 seconds to break the world record in 1957.

He won a bronze medal in the 5,000 metres at the Melbourne Olympics

the year before and also went on to run a mile

the first man to literally run a four-minute mile.

The case against two men who were arrested following protests

about the felling of trees in Sheffield has been dropped.

Simon Crump and Calvin Payne had been charged under Trade Union

legislation and were due before magistrates next month.

The Crown Prosecution Service say it's not in the public interest

The case against two other people, also arrested during protests,

Now the latest flood prevention scheme was unveiled high

on the moors above the Calder Valley today - but rather than building

barriers or dredging ditches, this one is totally natural.

The plan is to plant hundreds of thousands of trees

to stem the flow of water, and encourage moss to grow

This is the latest battle ground in the fight against flooding

Yorkshire Water's bright idea is to fight nature with nature.

The moorland around Gorpley Reservoir near Todmorden

is to be planted with up to 200,000 trees,

in a bid to reduce the risk of flooding.

This will take a long, long time to fully work.

But once you start, you know it's going to happen.

The benefits are clear in terms of water quality, habitat,

and there's also a lot of evidence to show

you get greater economic investment in well wooded landscapes.

In the coming decades, this moorland above Todmorden

There's going to be thousands of new trees growing up.

They will be native species like oak and birch

and then, further up the more, there is going to be blanket bog

and sphagnum moss created, all of which will work together

to keep the water in the hills, away from the Calder Valley.

Centuries of grazing sheep on the moors

has compacted the earth, meaning water just runs off.

The trees will break up the soil, making it more porous,

and the moss will act as a giant sponge.

Well, clearly here we are above Todmorden in the topmost

water catchment, so we are right at the top of Calderdale.

Anything that we do here really ought to have some small benefit,

It's about managing flows right at the top end of the catchment.

Obviously, the further down you go, the more sub catchments

you've got coming in, the less the effect that

But I think doing things within the top end of the catchment

is the right place to start all of these kind of measures.

It's impossible to completely prevent flooding.

But it's hoped the new measures will make scenes like these in 2015

with four of our teams playing each other.

It's Yorkshire derby day in the championship tomorrow

and there's certainly plenty to play for.

Barnsley, in ninth, still have hopes of making the playoffs.

They host third placed Huddersfield who are knocking on the door

Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday are locked together on 58 points

Being a derby game, both teams on the same points,

both fighting for the higher end of the league.

All those ingredients make it a little bit more interesting,

shall we say, from the perspective of both sets of fans.

But all we have to do is remain focused on ourselves.

both teams will be in the sixth positions,

nothing will be decided in this game.

It's an important game, more because it is a derby,

but it is the three points we will discuss in this game.

But we are ready and we are positive about the derby tomorrow.

British boxing history could be made tomorrow night

when Doncaster's Gavin McDonnell fights for the world title.

He's taking on Rey Vargas for the vacant WBC super-bantamweight

If he wins, he and his brother, Jamie, will be the first twins

in the country to be world champions.

There was an unexpected free gift for shoppers

at Prince's Quay in Hull - a chance to see Gavin McDonnell

as he prepares for the most important day of his career.

Biggest night of my life, you know what I mean?

I intend to grab it with both hands and really make a name for myself.

In training, he's got the perfect partner.

Twin brother Jamie is already the WBA bantamweight champion,

and Gavin's more than ready to join him,

Some will say Gavin will have the best belt

out of the two of them, which is up for debate.

I think there's a lot of banter that goes off in this gym, in our gym.

It's understandable, they're twins,

and if they both become world champions,

Gavin is a former British and European champion,

but he faces tough opposition on Saturday, in Mexico's

Rey Vargas, who is unbeaten in his 28 fights so far.

The Mexican is the favourite going into the contest,

but Gavin's counting on a vociferous Yorkshire crowd

at Hull's Ice Arena tomorrow to help him upset the odds.

Everybody in that arena is going to be wanting me to win,

If they can raise me half a percent in a fight that is won or lost

on the slightest margins, it could be crucial.

that brings one Doncaster family a second world boxing champion.

because Toronto Wolfpack will become the first transatlantic sports team

when they take on Siddal in rugby league's Challenge Cup tomorrow.

Nine years in the making, the Wolfpack will compete

in their first professional game in round three

The Canadian club start this season in the third tier

of English rugby league, but they have high ambitions.

Canada is renowned for, amongst other things,

the Maple Leaf, their Mounties, and the Rocky Mountains.

The Wolfpack are hoping to change all that.

I'll just say that Never-Never Land does exist.

There's so many messages in life that say you can't do things,

but I think to not try and not to make this a success

I think we need a new audience, I think we need new fans,

Clearly everywhere I've been there's been a lot of enthusiasm.

You're right, there are some people that might knock.

But we'll have a huge crack this and try to make this successful.

Most of the players are from the M62 corridor,

and they've been training in West Yorkshire.

They have one Canadian recruit, a rookie player called Chad Bain.

Though you'd probably struggle to find many Canadians

who heard of Siddal, he says there will be

plenty of interest in tomorrow's match back home.

I think everyone is pumped right now,

and everyone wants to see a game right now.

but everyone will be watching online and everything.

The Wolfpack captain, Craig Hall, was playing for Wakefield

but he was persuaded to step down two divisions.

They are very ambitious, from the top and then into the coaches.

Obviously, it's something absolutely brand-new,

I've never been, so I just can't wait to go.

Due to what can often be a long, hard winter in Toronto,

he's going to have to wait until May for that first home game.

But the journey towards it starts against the amateur side Siddal -

through to the third round, courtesy of this win

Are you going to be a little bit nervous over at Siddle on Saturday?

Somebody told me the other day that it's the site

of the old zoo at Halifax, so I'm thinking,

"I hope there's not some ghosts of animals out there

who give us a hard time at the weekend."

and looking forward to seeing what the boys have got to do.

And that match will be streamed, worldwide,

on the BBC Sport website - kick off is at 1pm.

So with Storm Doris blown away, what better for a Friday evening

than to start feeling more spring-like?

In Barnsley, they've already started their lambing season,

and given kids on half-term a real hands-on experience

The farmers at Cannon Hall have - in a first for them -

also given a wider audience that same experience,

by broadcasting live on social media!

New arrivals enjoying an afternoon nap before their next feed. This is

lambing season at Cannon Hall farm. It's been an incredible busy week,

with it being half term, and that sheep giving birth is week. We have

had more triplets as a ratio than any time I can ever remember, so I

will put it down to pledge for grass when they were making it the autumn.

That must be the reason. It is partly because it is a family

affair. His father has been farming for 58 years, and is fond of the

young lambs. You get attached to quite a few animals in a way. You

have to spend a bit more time with them, bringing them round,

especially if they are looking like a lost cause and you bring them

round. The special cases all the time. The lambs born this week

include young Roger, who is one of three triplets, but his mum only has

milk for two, so I am giving a helping hand.

But this is not just about fluffy lambs. There meerkats and these

piglets arrived this morning. But for most visitors, it's all

about the lambs. It was cool seeing the man feeding the lambs, because

they just look so cute. They are like little teddy bears, but

walking. They are really cute. We haven't seen one give birth yet, but

I'm hoping to see one today. This is what they are all waiting for. An

easy delivery. She's called Shirley. And there's another one on the way.

It was a bit more of a struggle to bring him into the world. Both mum

and twins are doing well. Two sets of twins on the programme

tonight! I know, people talk! What can I win

tell us about the weather this evening?

Let's have a look at some of your weather pictures first. Look at

that. Some lovely blue sky, captured across-the-board in Yorkshire. Let's

have a look at the next one as well. Thank you for these pictures, some

swans there I think. As always, keep sending those into worse. -- into

us. As I said, things are going downhill

weather-wise, despite it being a lovely day today. Tomorrow will be

cloudy, we will see rain at times. Not a brilliant forecast for

Saturday, but better for Sunday. This is the band of rain moving in.

We will see heaviest spells of rain over high ground. Temperatures down

to five Celsius. A blustery start to do morrow. Let's look at the high

water. That rain continues to move across towards the east throughout

the day to borrow. It's not going to be a complete write-off, we will see

some drier spells, especially as the rain moves over higher ground. Let's

take you on a tour of the temperatures. Not a lot to talk

about, ten or 11 Celsius. These winds are from a milder region, but

they are mild but quite strong, so it will take away the warmth.

Another one affront which -- another weather front pushes in on Sunday.

It will still be quite blustery, with some rain later. Looking at the

weekend and thinking what will be the best day, Sunday is a better day

if you're going to get out and about because we will see more of that dry

weather. More online. We are going to see some sunny spells over the

weekend, Sunday is the best for that. Showers on Monday and Tuesday,

we hold onto the strong breeze. The weekend, we have some usable

weather! Is this to do with the confounded

jet stream?! It has so got something to do with

that, I will tell you more at ten 5pm.

Hope you can join us then. -- 10:25pm.