On Wednesday 3rd Feb, 116 people took an hour out of their day to attend our “Maximise Your Membership” event. The event saw the Customer Experience Team (Lizzy, Haze, Andrea, Kirsty) and the Norfolk Chambers Chief Executive Chris Sargisson and Chief Operating Officer Nova Fairbank, giving a “whistle stop” tour of some of the top things to get involved with, with the Chambers.
The event aimed to cover the core inclusions of membership, and how organisations could really maximise these! From attending the myriad of virtual training events (on topics such as finance, marketing and wellbeing) to understanding more about the International Trade Team, and how they can support your business.
We carried out several polls during the event include one which asked, “When do you think you would like to return to face to face events”, 30% of all attendees said they wished to return as soon as possible. Information very helpful to us.
Feedback to the Chief Executive, “I just wanted to say that the event I was invited to this morning was excellent. Not only was it well organised, interactive with a great attendance…but your team did a fantastic job of presenting a Chamber as it should be…welcoming, enthusiastic, fun and here to help. It was one of the best such events I have attended and your team did you proud!”
Key highlights included The Norfolk Knowledge Hub, Norfolk’s Voice, Our Virtual Event Programme, 4 Things You Need To Do Right Now, Campaigning, Lobbying & Infrastructure, International Trade as well as Virtual Networking, Exclusive Discounts (with AXA Health, Westfield Health & The AA) & The Digital Chamber. Well done to our 2 prize winners from the event, your Gnaw Chocolate goodies will be in the post shortly!
Steve Charles from Quest also gave a great recap of the free business services “Chamber Four Services” that are included with membership. From the 24/7 Helplines to the document library covering everything from Legal, HR, Tax and Health & Safety.
A recording of the event can be<a
A big thank you to all of our amazing members who joined us, interested organisations and those who have joined the Norfolk Chambers Community after the event!
If you have any questions or are interested in joining, feel free to contact the team on 01603 625977 or email us at hello@norfolkchambers.co.uk
Results from the first major business survey for 2021 by the British Chambers of Commerce and the UK Chamber Network on Brexit found that half (49%) of exporters are facing difficulties in adapting to the changes in the trade of goods following the ratification of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) on 1 January 2021.
The survey
Fieldwork for the survey, which received 1,000 responses, mainly from SMEs, was carried out between 18 and 31 January 2021. Nearly half (47%) of respondents exported goods or services.
The survey sought to understand the extent to which businesses found it easy or difficult to adapt to changes in trading goods and/or services and moving people in the month since the ratification of the TCA. Businesses reported the highest proportion of difficulties in adapting to changes in trading goods.
The survey found that:
overall, around a third of respondents (30%) reported difficulties adapting to changes to moving or trading goods in the first month of the year, while 10% said they had found adapting to the changes easy. 45% said trade in goods was not applicable to their business, and 16% said it was too early to say;
however, the percentage facing difficulties in adapting to changes in trading goods rose for exporters, where half (49%) reported issues, as well as manufacturers, where the percentage facing difficulties was more than half (51%);
overall, 14% of firms said that they faced difficulties in adapting to changes in the trade of services. 10% said they had found adapting to the changes easy. The percentage facing difficulties rose for exporters, where 21% reported issues.
When asked about the specific difficulties businesses were facing, commonly cited concerns included increased administration, costs, delays, and confusion about what rules to follow.
Need for Action
The BCC will continue to support UK businesses through its trade documentation services and Chamber Customs, a customs advisory, training and brokerage service delivered through Chambers of Commerce across the UK, and by working closely with the government.
The leading business group is calling on the UK Government, and where necessary with EU partners, to:
work with us and the Chamber network to identify the most significant blockages for business and immediately publish plans for resolving those problems;
create tax credits allowing firms to offset their spending on adaptation to the new UK-EU requirements against their tax bill, helping businesses navigate new burdens and requirements better;
push back the imposition of additional SPS checks (from April) and full customs checks (from July) on imports into the UK. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (‘SPS’) checks are scientific tests on animal and plant goods; and
look at key areas of the new relationship and work with EU partners on easements to minimise unhelpful burdens, including on aspects of Rules of Origin and VAT.
Commenting on the results, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:
“Trading businesses – and the UK’s chances at a strong economic recovery – are being hit hard by changes at the border.
“The late agreement of a UK-EU trade deal left businesses in the dark on the detail right until the last minute, so it’s unsurprising to see that so many businesses are now experiencing practical difficulties on the ground as the new arrangements go live.
“For some firms these concerns are existential, and go well beyond mere ‘teething problems’. It should not be the case that companies simply have to give up on selling their goods and services into the EU. Ministers must do everything they can to fix the problems that are within the UK’s own control, and increase their outreach to EU counterparts to solve the knotty issues that are stifling trade in both directions.
“This situation could get worse if the UK sticks to its guns and introduces additional SPS checks in April and full customs checks on imports in July. These timescales need to change – and the support available for businesses who are battling to adapt to new trading conditions significantly increased.”
Commenting on what this means for businesses on the ground, BCC Director of Trade Facilitation and ChamberCustoms Liam Smyth said:
“Underneath the overall figures, firms’ concerns fit broadly into three areas.
“First, difficulties arising from the challenges adjusting to the new arrangements, such as the sheer volume of paperwork and significant new costs of adjusting to those.
“Second, issues about how new rules have been implemented, such as new customs arrangements.
“Third, core provisions of the TCA which are currently of significant concern to businesses, such as on Rules of Origin and VAT.
“Taken together, and on top of decreased revenue and cash flow as a result of the pandemic, this is a difficult moment for exporters. Some tell us they will respond to the challenges by switching away from international trade or by moving their operations overseas.
“The Government needs to respond to this risk by giving firms tax credits to help with their ongoing adjustment and leaving no stone unturned in educating businesses and removing every barrier they can.”
Norwich City Council have released their latest economic barometer. The report highlighted:
Locally
The East of England economy is on track for a positive, albeit slow recovery, over coming years led by activity in the health and education sectors, according to a regional economic forecast from EY. It identifies the East as one of five of the nine English regions which will be larger in 2023 than it was in 2019 although its growth will be fractional at 0.08 per cent pa.
Just over half of East of England SMEs (53 per cent) say that becoming more environmentally sustainable is important and a similar share have worked on green measures during COVID. a quarter of firms have used using cash reserves and government grants (15 per cent) to fund green improvements.
Business confidence in the East of England rose 20 points in December – albeit to minus one per cent – which was its highest point since the beginning of the pandemic in March.
The growth of online retailing will mean more development of warehousing and logistics space and business parks in Norfolk and nationally.
The East of England has seen the highest rise of any region in employer demand for fintech skills, up 30 per cent over 2017 – 2019.
KPMG’s Future of Towns and Cities Post COVID-19 report predicts that Norwich is set to lose more than 4,000 jobs post-pandemic as 18.5 per cent of people continue to work from home rather than working from an office.
During the month of November, average house prices fell by 0.20% in Norwich and by 0.235 in the region; prices across England grew by1.23%. The average house price in Norwich currently stands at £208,663 against £302,624 for the East of England and £266,742 for England.
The 2020 impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has been one of steep growth in claimant count unemployment. The increase has been strongest in the Norwich city council area.
Nationally
December data highlighted a marginal expansion of UK private sector output, driven by another solid increase in manufacturing production.
In contrast, overall levels of service sector activity stagnated at the end of 2020, largely due to ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions on hospitality, leisure and travel businesses.
The latest survey also indicated severe pressure on manufacturing supply chains, which was overwhelmingly linked to freight delays following congestion at UK ports.
UK construction companies recorded a sustained rebound in business activity during December, according to the latest PMI data compiled by IHS Markit.
Finance leaders expect levels of home-working to rise five-fold by 2025 compared to pre-pandemic levels and are forecasting higher levels of taxation and regulation in the longer term,
GDP growth in Q1 2015 was 0.3%, down from 0.6% in Q4 2014
Services output rose by 0.5% in Q1, while construction fell by 1.6% and production eased by 0.1%
GDP in Q1 2015 was 2.4% higher than a year earlier, and 4.0% higher than the pre-recession peak in 2008
Commenting on the GDP figures for Q1 2015, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist of the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“Although we expected a slowdown in GDP growth, following weak construction and production figures, the scale of the decline estimated by the ONS understates the true momentum in the economy. It is likely that the services sector rose by more than 0.5% – in particular we are sceptical that business and financial services output was broadly flat in the quarter. It would not be surprising if this estimate was upgraded in due course.
“Despite these disappointing figures, economic output is almost 2.5% higher than a year earlier and 4.0% larger than before the recession. However, there is no room for complacency. The incoming government must work to foster the growth aspirations of businesses, helping the UK economy achieve sustained growth.”
Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chamber said:
“The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) has historically been an accurate indicator of future movements in GDP growth. In Q1 2015, the QES manufacturing sales index anticipated the slowdown in the GDP growth rate. However, not at the size of today’s estimate by the ONS.
“The Norfolk manufacturing sales balance fell very slightly from +13% in Q4 2014 to +12% in Q1 2015, while GDP growth fell from 0.6% to 0.3% in the same timeframe. Similarly, the service sector sales balance fell by sixteen points to +35% in Q1 2015, but still remained higher than the manufacturing sales index.”
HM Treasury and the British Business Bank have released further details of the Pay As You Grow Scheme.
It is confirmed that the scheme will enable businesses who have started repaying their Bounce Back Loans to:
Request an extension to their loan term to 10 years from 6 years, at the same fixed interest rate of 2.5%.
Reduce their monthly repayments for six months by paying interest only. This option is available up to three times during the term of their Bounce Back Loan.
Take a repayment holiday for up to six months. This option is available once during the term of their Bounce Back Loan.
Borrowers can use these options individually or in combination with each other and remain responsible for repaying their Bounce Back Loan and fully liable for the debt.
Borrowers should be aware that they will pay more interest overall if they use one or more of these options, and that the length of the loan will increase in line with any repayment holidays taken.
Am I eligible?
PAYG is available to all businesses who have taken out a Bounce Back loan subject to the restrictions outlined above.
What do I need to do to access it?
Businesses first began to receive BBLS loans in May 2020 and the first repayments will become due from May 2021 onwards. Lenders will start to communicate PAYG options to Bounce Back Loan Scheme borrowers three months before repayments commence.
Who do I need to speak to?
Lenders will inform their customers about PAYG directly, so borrowers should wait until they are contacted by their lender before enquiring about the scheme. Lenders will advise customers about how their repayment options may change according to their choices under the scheme.
How is your business doing? How has Covid-19 and/or Brexit affected your business? How confident are you about your financial position, your workforce and your future orderbook? What support do you need to face the challenges ahead?
The Chambers Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), the UK’s largest independent business survey, is open and we would like to hear from you so that we can help give voice to Norfolk businesses.
This survey is a significant piece of economic data, used by many organisations and the country’s decision makers to help shape economic policies for the UK, so right now it is more important than ever that both the Chancellor and the Bank of England hear from businesses just like yours. Without this vital local and regional knowledge they cannot make the right decisions and put relevant support mechanisms in place that will ultimately impact on you and your company.
The QES is anonymous, open to anyone and only takes a couple of minutes to complete online.
We need your input, if you only take one survey, then please make it the QES. Deadline is Monday 8th March, 2021.
An online portal has been launched to make it even easier for business to get involved and find out more about offering rapid testing in the workplace.
Business that are open during lockdown can now sign up to rapid testing programmes that identify cases of Covid-19 in employees who are not showing symptoms, to help stop the spread of Covid-19, and ensure vital public and economic services can continue.
Businesses can register to order coronavirus rapid lateral flow tests for employees if:
Your business is registered in England
You employ 50 people or more
Your employees cannot work from home
Testing is key to breaking the chains of transmission. Around one in three people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and may be unknowingly spreading the virus. This expansion of testing will find more positive cases, keeping workers who cannot work from home unknowingly passing on the virus and protecting vital public services. Click here to register.
This year sees the update of Norfolk’s Rural Strategy, and Norfolk County Council want to hear your views about their vision for rural Norfolk in the coming years. Please click here to find out more about the strategy and to give your feedback in the survey.
The Norfolk Rural Strategy was first produced in 2013, on behalf of an extensive public-private partnership, with a steering group supported by Norfolk County Council. It is refreshed every 3 years and we are asking for your ideas to address the challenges and opportunities Rural Norfolk faces today.
The principles underpinning the Strategy are to:
Be ambitious for Rural Norfolk so it delivers quality of life for all age groups
Make the case for Rural Norfolk to decision makers at every level – from district to national
Ensure businesses, communities and partners have access to the data and evidence to make the case for investment in Rural Norfolk
Learn from other areas and build on successful models of rural development elsewhere.
Your feedback is valuable, so please do take part in the short survey about the Norfolk Rural Strategy for 2021-2024.
The deadline to take part in the survey is 5pm on Friday 19 March 2021.
If you would like to submit additional documentation to support your response (such as a report or case study which could help make the case for investment) please email it to haveyoursay@norfolk.gov.uk
If you have any queries about the survey, or need it in a different format, such as a paper copy, please email haveyoursay@norfolk.gov.uk, call 0344 800 8020 or Text Relay on 18001 0344 800 8020 (textphone) and we will do our best to help.
The consultation on the proposed Modifications to the Core Strategy is now open for comment. The Great Yarmouth Borough Council is looking for any comments that you would like to make on the Main Modifications and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal. The Inspector will then consider all comments made on the Main Modifications prior to issuing his final recommendations in the Inspector’s Report. The deadline for submitting your comments is: 5pm on Tuesday 23 June 2015.
Core Strategy Examination
The Borough Council submitted the Core Strategy to the Government in April 2014 and the Planning Inspector (Mr Malcolm Rivett) held an Examination in Public with hearing sessions between 25 and 27 November 2014. A number of changes to the Core Strategy are now being proposed, which reflect the discussions at the Hearing Sessions. These changes are known as Modifications and there are two types; Main and Additional. Main Modifications change a policy and are considered by the Inspector to be necessary to make the plan sound or legally compliant. Additional Modifications don’t change a policy and are generally factual updates and corrections. This consultation is on the Main Modifications only however, the Additional Modifications have also been published for reference.
This consultation is your chance to tell us whether the proposed Main Modifications are ‘legally compliant’ (meet the relevant legislation) and whether they are ‘sound’ (positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy). Comments on the proposed Main Modifications can only be accepted if they relate to soundness and legal compliance. Please note that comments on any other matter, such as the content of the Core Strategy, will not be accepted as this consultation is concerned with the Main Modifications only.
The Modification Schedules, accompanying Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment will be available to inspect at the Town Hall in Great Yarmouth, at all public libraries throughout the borough during normal opening hours and on the Council’s website at https://www.great-yarmouth.gov.uk/strategic-planning/local-plan/cs-examin…
HMRC have issued further guidance on claiming preferential rates. From 1 January, if your goods originate in the EU or UK, you may be able to claim a preferential rate of duty when imported into the respective countries and released to free circulation. This means they’ll be free of Customs Duty.
Rules of origin
To claim preferential rates of duty, your product must originate in the EU or UK (as the exporting country) as set out in Chapter 2 of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement ‘rules of origin’ and the ‘Product Specific Rules of Origin’ contained in Annex ORIG-2.
The introductory notes to product specific rules of origin can be found in Annex ORIG-1. You’ll need to know how to classify your goods when checking the product specific rules.
If your goods do not meet the rules of origin requirements (or if you cannot prove that the goods meet them) you’ll still need to pay Customs Duty. To find out the rate of duty, you’ll need to classify your goods correctly.
Proof of origin
To benefit from preferential tariffs when importing into the UK from the EU (or importing into the EU from the UK), the importer will be required to declare they hold proof that the goods comply with the rules of origin.
You’ll be entitled to claim the preferential rate of duty if you have either:
a statement on origin that the product is originating made out by the exporter
the importer’s knowledge that the product is originating
When exporting from the EU to the UK a statement on origin can be made out by any exporter where the value of the consignment is 6,000 euros (currently £5,700) or less. Above this amount the EU exporter must have a Registered Exporter (REX) number and include it in the statement.
When exporting to the EU you must include your EORI number in any statement you issue to your EU customer, regardless of the value.
The statement on origin must be provided on an invoice, or any other commercial document (excluding a bill of lading), describing the originating product in sufficient detail to enable its identification.
It will be valid for 2 years from the date it was made out on imports into the UK and 12 months for imports into the EU.
Importers knowledge
‘Importers knowledge’ allows the importer to claim preferential tariff treatment based on evidence they have obtained about the originating status of imported products. This evidence must be in the importer’s possession, be in form of supporting documents or records which may be provided by the exporter or producer and provide evidence that the product qualifies as originating.
As the importer is making a claim using their own knowledge, no statement on origin has to be provided by the exporter or producer.
Suppliers’ declarations
Until 31 December 2021, if you’re claiming preference on the basis of the importer’s knowledge or making out a statement on origin, you do not need to hold a supplier’s declaration at the time you’re claiming preference for goods imported from or to the EU.
But the importer must be confident that the goods meet the rules of origin. You must make every effort to obtain suppliers declarations retrospectively.
London’s major port has recently been awarded an internationally recognised quality mark and been accepted as an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Tilbury is the first multipurpose port in the UK to receive full AEO status for security and customs simplification processes. This recognises that the customs controls and procedures at the port are efficient and compliant and most importantly, secure.
Commenting on the award, Paul Dale, Asset and Site Director at the Port of Tilbury said: “This is excellent and significant news as we are the first multipurpose port in the UK to be recognised with full AEO status. We have always provided an efficient and secure process, but this accreditation also gives our customers the reassurance that we have robust processes in place.”
The accreditation follows a full site audit at the port by HMRC which thoroughly reviewed the port’s operational processes, IT, security, storage, procurement and HR procedures.
Charles Hammond, Chief Executive of Forth Ports, owners of the Port of Tilbury said: “We are thrilled that the Port has been awarded full AEO status. As the UK moves towards Brexit, this internationally recognised award is extremely positive for both the port and our diverse customer base who will continue to benefit from working with us under this quality accreditation.”
The AEO regime operates under the EU’s Union Customs Code and is administered in the UK by HMRC. AEO status gives quicker access to certain simplified customs procedures and in some cases, the right to fast-track shipments through some customs procedures.
Commenting on the decision by the European Commission to grant the UK data adequacy, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:
“With the free flow of data critical to their operations, businesses will be greatly relieved at the granting of data adequacy which removes a costly cliff edge at a time when many are already struggling due to the pandemic and post-Brexit trading conditions.
“However, it should not distract from the need to address the many practical difficulties that are currently stifling trade between us. More needs to be done to fix these problems otherwise many firms may simply give up on doing business with the EU.
“This should include pushing back the dates for introducing additional scientific checks on animal and plant goods from April and full customs checks on imports from July, and increasing the support available for businesses who need time to adapt to the new trading conditions.”