For December we are running our Christmas Countdown of Charities here at Norfolk Chambers, where throughout the month we will be sharing stories and updates from a variety of Norfolk Charities.
Below is a recap list of the Charities we shared last week, along with links to the posts we sent out on LinkedIn:
Commenting on the announcement of the extension, Jane Gratton, Head of People Policy at the BCC, said: “Businesses would welcome the additional flexibility and pragmatism that an extension to the eviction ban brings in helping to weather this period of tightened restrictions. “We are pleased that the government has listened to our calls for further action. As we look to reopen the economy, the flexibility this gives landlords and tenants to reach agreement and plan for the successful restart of their operations, will be welcomed by Chamber members. “The BCC engages regularly with government to ensure all businesses receive the financial support commensurate with the restrictions placed upon them.”
Norfolk’s leading business to business showcase returns on Thursday 14th October 2021 at Norfolk Showground*
The B2B Exhibition is Norfolk’s largest business-to-business exhibition. Free to attend and attracting hundreds of businesses on the day, B2B is a highlight on the Norfolk events calendar.
For exhibitors, the event gives the opportunity to meet new potential clients, catch up with existing contacts and have a presence at this prestigious event.
If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor at B2B you can find out how to book your standhere
Here’s what some businesses have said about the B2B Exhibition:
“Every year the B2B just gets better and better. It’s the place to truly engage with people. The go to business event of the year.” – Business Growth Club
“We have exhibited at the Norfolk B2B every year for as long as I can remember. It is always a good event and provides an excellent opportunity to catch up with local customers and contacts.”
– 101 Smart Ltd
“(B2B) is a fantastic event and a greatplatform to meet new people and businesses. The shell schemes were great and weloved the venue. We look forward to exhibiting again!”
– Archive-Vault Ltd
“The event was superbly organised and promoted – we loved the venue and will definitely be back next year!”
– University of East Anglia
*We are doing everything we can to bring you this event in October by following government COVID guidelines. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic we may have to postpone this event at short notice if circumstances arise that are out of our control.
On Thursday 5 June 25 members of the Norfolk Chamber joined us for an intimate cocktail making and networking evening, with plenty of networking opportunities there was a great atmosphere. It was held at Mr Postles Apothecary, a new bar in Norwich which opened on 19th March this year.
Delegates started their night off with a complimentary drink and a networking activity which got them networking in new groups and making new contacts which they continued with throughout the night.
It was then onto the cocktail making where delegates had the option of making either a Cosmopolitan or a Virgin Mr Postle, they paired up and took turns in shaking and mixing up their drink and while others either continued the networking or were checking out the competition and learning the tricks of the trade.
Delegates then had free networking for the rest of the evening and many continued this late into the night.
To see photos of this great night visit our Facebook or Google+ pages.
The next instalment of the After Hours series is Look the Business as Jarrold on 20 August, for more information or to book you place visit our event page.
New research from the Financial and Legal Skills Partnership (FSP) shows that accountancy firms have doubled the number of apprentices taken on over the last five years.
Data from the trade body set up to improve skills in the finance and legal sectors shows that by the end of 2012, the number of apprentices was 7,000, compared to 3,710 in 2007.
FSP chief executive Liz Field said that accountancy firms are increasingly looking to recruit and train school-leavers instead of graduates as they ¬believe apprentices will demonstrate increasing loyalty and will stay in their jobs for longer. She added that employers will choose school-leavers over graduates because they have more “realistic” salary ¬expectations.
Apprenticeships are training programmes, where you train and work in an organisation while studying for a relevant qualification. “Apprenticeships are increasingly popular as they allow young people to learn on the job, develop knowledge and skills and earn money – all at the same time,” explains Big Sky Additions’ director, Justin Murray. “Some accountancy apprenticeship schemes also run hand in hand with professional training such as the AAT accounting qualification,” he added.
Accountancy apprenticeship schemes are offered by a wide range of small practices and large corporate firms, allowing students to earn a salary while studying for professional qualifications over a five-year period.
The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is used by the Bank of England, the Chancellor to plan the future of the UK economy, it is also closely watched by the International Monetary Fund.
As a part of the accredited Chamber network, Norfolk Chamber needs your input to ensure that Norfolk has a clear voice on our local and national economy. You can have your say by completing the QES online NOW, which takes less than 3 minutes.
The completion deadline for this survey is Monday 15 June 2015.
After strong increases recorded in Q4 2014, almost all the Norfolk balances for both manufacturing and services weakened in Q1.
In both sectors, a number of key Q1 balances are now lower than their pre-recession levels in 2007.
In Norfolk’s manufacturing, domestic balances were reduced; domestic sales (+12%, down from +13% in Q4 2014,) and domestic orders (+8%, down from +14% in Q4 2014).
In services, the domestic balances were mixed; domestic sales (+35%, down from +51% in Q4 2014) but domestic orders increased (+29%, up from +17%).
Most export balances weakened in Q1 2015; manufacturing export sales fell by 9 points to +21%, while service export sales fell considerably by 44 points to +16%.
Both manufacturing and services firms have lowered their investment intentions for training, as well as plant and machinery.
The BCC is urging the government to give businesses much greater clarity on its roadmap out of lockdown as firms continue to suffer.
The business organisation, which represents tens of thousands of companies of all shapes and sizes across the UK, has written to the government seeking updates on a number of vital issues.
In particular, it says firms need to know how the government is assessing its four tests to determine if the roadmap will be followed. This includes providing regular updates on progress against the tests so that businesses can plan ahead.
Firms also need more detail on the practicalities of reopening and the government’s various reviews so they can make concrete plans on how they will operate – for example, what social distancing rules will be in place at each stage of the roadmap and beyond.
Companies are also looking to government for clarity on potential legal issues surrounding vaccinations.
Finally, businesses which operate across the UK need the government and devolved administrations to work together on synchronising their differing routes out of lockdown.
It follows a BCC survey of more than 1,000 firms at the end of January which revealed that many firms were struggling due to the continued COVID restrictions:
55per centofrespondents say they arelooking to access finance over the next twelve months. Of these, almost two out of three (63 per cent) are doing so to support their cashflow and only 28 per cent are doing so to investin products,researchanddevelopment, or equipment.
A quarter (26 per cent) of firmsdescribe their current level of debt as either ‘unmanageable’ or ‘high and manageable’.This rises to 32 per cent forconsumer-facing firms like hospitality and retail.
Almost a third (32 per cent) ofall respondents said they saw write offs relating to Covid-19 lockdowns or restrictions in the last twelve months.
Of the firms reporting write offs, the mean average approximate financial value of these write offs was just over £61k, while the median average was £5k.
Of the 527 micro firms (businesses with less than 10 employees or sole traders) that responded to this question, 34 per cent of respondents said they saw write offs relating to Covid-19 lockdowns or restrictions in the last twelve months. The mean average approximate financial value of these write offs was £28.5k.
Commenting on the lack ofroadmapclarity,BaronessRuby McGregor-Smith,President ofthe BCC, said:
“The route back to a full reopening of the economy is still a long way off, with continued uncertainty about whether, and when, the roadmap steps will be met.
“Far too little has been revealed about how the Government is assessing its four tests on the roadmap for businesses to accurately judge whether it will happen as planned.
“The timescales for some firms to get ready are already short. Others will be holding out for decisions to be made around issues like international travel and tourism to finally give them hope for the future.
“The UK Government must also find a way to work much more closely with the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on a collective route out of lockdown. Many businesses operate across these borders, in both directions, which makes planning their restart even more complex.
“Many companies appear reluctant to invest, buy in new stock or make plans for how they will operate when so much is still unknown. They have built up huge levels of debt throughout a year of continued restrictions, seen their cashflow reduced to a trickle in some sectors, while others have been forced to absorb large write-offs due to sudden lockdowns.”
Commenting on the latest statistics from HMRC on usage of the government’s Job Retention Scheme up until 31 December 2020, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:
“With the furlough scheme providing a lifeline to millions of employees across the economy, further action will be needed in order to avoid a damaging cliff edge for jobs and livelihoods after the scheme ends in just a couple of months.
“The government must learn lessons from last October, where the delay in extending the scheme at a time of tightening restrictions helped drive redundancies to a record high.
“Therefore, ministers should commit immediately to keeping the furlough scheme in place until a full opening of the economy is possible and at least until the end of July 2021. Only with certainty on the future of government support can businesses communities plan ahead and look to restart, rebuild and renew.”
The British Chamber of Commerce has signed the Armed Forces Covenant in a virtual signing event attended by the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Simon Brooks-Ward CVO OBE TD VR.
The British Chamber of Commerce has pledged to the Armed Forces Covenant – a promise that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated with fairness and respect in their communities, economy and society for which they serve with their lives.
By signing the Covenant, the BCC has made a commitment to support serving personnel, service leavers, veterans and their families by fostering relationships between business and the Armed Forces, supporting employment opportunities for veterans, service spouses and partners and offering favourable employment terms to support reservist duties.
Assistant Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Simon Brooks-Ward CVO OBE TD VR said, “I am delighted that the British Chambers of Commerce have decided to sign their Armed Forces Covenant. This is a very important step which brings together the supportive pledges of many individual Chambers across the network. I welcome the key pledges which include the promotion of the Armed Forces Covenantacross the Chamber Military Network, ten day’s fully paid reservist leave and support to military spouses including the ‘Supporting the Unsung Hero’ start-up programme. This sets a fine example to all Chambers and their membership. Thank you, British Chambers of Commerce, for your support.”
To date more than 6500 organisations have signed the Armed Forces Covenant including businesses and charities nationwide. The British Chamber’s covenant pledge is made in support of the Chamber Military Network a unique project (funded by the Forces in Mind Trust) which helps Chambers, and their members undertake the signing of the Armed Forces Covenant and deliver their employment pledges as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS).
British Chamber of Commerce Director General Adam Marshall said, “BCC is proud to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, and to pledge to the whole defence community whether serving, veteran, reservist or family member that we will do all we can to ensure they are treated fairly and without disadvantage. Over the years, I have seen just how much the Armed Forces community contributes to business, both as employees that bring a wealth of skills, experience, and innovation, and as entrepreneurs driving forward our economy.
The British Chambers of Commerce and the Chamber Military Network are well-placed to support the Armed Forces Covenant, to deepen links between the business and defence communities. Our unique position helping British businesses in every region and nation and across the globe means we can work together with the Chamber Military Network to foster relationships, dispel myths, and support service people and their families.”
Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Resilience Forum have put together a toolkit for businesses to support reopening after lockdown.
The toolkit is a comprehensive guide for all businesses reopening from 12 April across the Tourism, Leisure, Hospitality and Retail sectors. The guide can also be used by other businesses who would like information and guidance to help them reopen and operate their business safely.
In February 2021, the UK government set out its roadmap for easing of lockdown restrictions. The easing is a gradual process, and although dates are mentioned (as earliest dates), the next step in the process will only happen if the numbers of key factors such as infections and vaccinations are demonstrating that it is ok to do so. Although the exit from lockdown has now begun, we need to proceed with caution. Coronavirus will be in our community for some time to come, meaning that outbreaks can, and will, occur. Developments over the past few months, particularly rapid testing and the roll out of the vaccination programme, mean that we now have more strategies to manage Covid whilst re-opening our economy. Customer confidence will be a key aspect of re-opening the economy. Seeing businesses take customer safety and concerns seriously could be a deciding factor in whether a customer chooses you or someone else. This guide will give you information on key measures which you can take to look after your staff and customers. No single approach is a ‘silver bullet’ in managing coronavirus / Covid-19 – each are important and when taken as a collective approach, will be more effective. Getting the balance between providing a service, generating income and ensuring Covid-secure measures are in place and adhered to is not easy. Some of the changes are likely to be beneficial and you may like them to stay; for the ones that are more difficult and restrictive, remember that they are not forever, and if they help your business to stay open then they’re probably worth it. You can access the full toolkit and sign up for email updates on reopening resources here
“The sector has been hard hit in the last year, with prolonged uncertainty about when the full resumption of travel will be possible. This framework provides some welcome clarity, however much uncertainty remains around what countries will be on the green list come May 17th.
“The PCR tests required under the guidelines will also prove costly for many travellers, harming those businesses and supply chains who rely on international travel to trade.
“The government must redouble their efforts to provide further clarity on the green list as quickly as possible and ensure PCR test are affordable and accessible to all.”
Responding to the news that phase 2 of the roadmap out of lockdown for England will go ahead on April 12, Nova Fairbank Chief Operating Officers for Norfolk Chambers, said:
“This is great news. Many firms will be breathing a huge sigh of relief that they will soon be able to reopen their doors to customers. The last year has taken a heavy toll on firms across the county and they will be counting down the hours until they can begin trading and rebuilding their businesses.
“However, the route back to a full reopening of the economy is still a long way off, with continued uncertainty for some sectors about whether, and when, the next roadmap steps will be met, and many more firms asking questions, yet to be answered, about when they can open at full capacity or with fewer restrictions.
“The latest Chambers Quarterly Economic Survey has shown that businesses are becoming more optimistic about the future. But that confidence is fragile and absolute clarity and honesty will be needed every step of the way over the weeks ahead, so that companies have a fighting chance to rebuild.
“To translate hope of renewal into reality there must be a coherent strategy for growth which empowers and enables businesses to lead the economic recovery from Covid-19. Firms will need time to get back on their feet, with the security of knowing Government will support them should the roadmap falter.”
Commenting on International Travel, Nova Fairbank, said:
“The sectors which rely on international travel and their supply chains have been hit extremely hard over the last year and have faced one of the longest periods of uncertainty about when they would be able to resume normal operations.
“It is absolutely vital that the Global Travel Taskforce provides certainty as soon as possible about what level of restrictions will apply on travel to, and from, specific countries in advance of the proposed resumption of international travel on May 17.”
On proposals for time-limited Covid status certification, Nova Fairbank said:
“The government should waste no time in setting out concrete proposals for how Covid certification could work and the rationale behind the inclusion of some sectors and not others. With businesses already investing significant time and money into their reopening plans, they have considerable questions around the implications of such a scheme, including the practical implementation for firms and issues of employment law and liability. The Government must be crystal clear on these issues and consult with business on how any system might function.”
Commenting on plans to allow everyone to access twice weekly lateral flow tests, Nova Fairbank said:
We very much welcome the plan to make lateral flow testing available to every adult in England twice a week. Alongside the workplace testing strategy, this will buoy business confidence as companies start to plan for reopening and rebuilding the economy. But it is also crucial that Government makes sure that people who need to self-isolate are fully supported.”