The British Chambers of Commerce has created a special checklist to help businesses consider the changes they may have to make when the UK leaves the EU.
All businesses – not just those directly and immediately affected – should be undertaking a Brexit health check, which BCC says could yield real dividends in future.
While a final agreement is still to be negotiated between the UK and the EU, BCC says that it has created the checklist based on research carried out nationwide through Chambers of Commerce so it can help businesses to start planning now.
The findings of the research, which asked questions covering how much time companies had spent considering the impact of Brexit on their business; whether there had been Board level discussions and how changed in the UK-EU relationship could impact them; suggested that a significant amount of businesses were ‘watching and waiting’ or taking no action at all.
The checklist has four main sections covering Workforce, Cross-Border Trade, Taxation and Currency/Intellectual Property/Contracts, with specific issues including the impact of immigration changes on staffing and skills; potential delays at the UK/EU border; possible introduction of import VAT and possible currency risk.
Norfolk Chamber’s annual technology conference, Talking Tech, returns Wednesday 19th September at The Space Norwich.
Talking Tech is a half-day conference bringing together local and national speakers for an interactive and inspiring event. The morning is made up of keynote speakers, lightening talks, workshops, a tech themed exhibition and over 180 business attendees.
The theme for 2018’s conference is future thinking; we want to explore the way businesses and their workforce will rapidly change with new and innovative technology. What’s coming and how do we prepare for it? If you can answer that then we want to hear from you.
For the first time Norfolk Chamber are asking businesses to send in their applications and suggestions for topics and speaking slots at the event that fit the all-important future thinking theme. If you want to get involved then click here to find out more!
On Friday 20th April 2018, local MPs, the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) and the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce came together to launch new job campaigns in three key areas across Norfolk.
First thing that morning, Sir Henry Bellingham, MP for North West Norfolk launched West Norfolk for Jobs in King’s Lynn, followed by George Freeman, MP for Mid Norfolk in Dereham launching Breckland for Jobs and finally, Elizabeth Truss, MP for South West Norfolk also launched Breckland for Jobs in Thetford.
The two campaigns aim to help young people aged between 18 to 24 secure work, which will help the local economies, build better communities and reduce youth unemployment.
In West Norfolk 1,021 young people are claiming some form of benefit and are without a job; In Thetford it is 383; and in Dereham it is 531 – West Norfolk for Jobs and Breckland for Jobs are looking to halve these figures.
Julia Nix, DWP District Manager for East Anglia said:
“We are aiming to get employers and businesses to really think about how they can help a young person into work. It could be as simple as an hour to do a mock interview or a big thing such as work experience or an apprenticeship. All these things will be a huge difference to helping people get a job.”
Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:
“We are very privileged to be asked to support both the West Norfolk for Jobs and the Breckland for Jobs campaigns and we want to help make them successful. We believe that the local business community is the key to achieving this. There are many ways in which businesses can get involved and we are asking them to offer their services no matter how large or small their contributions. This is a great opportunity for local businesses to support young people in their area and perhaps help create their future workforce.”
Can your business help?
Could you support a young person by offering mock interviews, CV advice, information and advice on your industry? The initiatives will also be able to help you find suitable candidates to apply for any apprenticeship or jobs you need to fill.
If you would like more information on how you can get involved, please contact:
Norfolk Chamber are thrilled to launch the first two events in a series of summer evening networking in Norwich. We are putting together a programme of ‘After Hours’ events designed to get our members networking in a relaxed and informal setting; paired with fun activities in Norwich’s top entertainment venues.
The first After Hours event kicking off this series is our Pub Quiz, taking place at Earlham Arms on Thursday 31st May. The evening will put your general knowledge to the test with a variety of quiz rounds where the topics and questions have been chosen by Chamber staff. You will also get the opportunity to enjoy some wine and tapas whilst getting to know your colleagues and fellow Chamber members a little better. You can enter as an individual to be placed in a mixed team, or rally up a team of up to 6 max. Full details.
Following our Quiz we’re taking you to a new venue in Norwich: Bowling House. This boutique venue opened its doors in March 2018 and on June 14th we’ll be taking over the lanes for Business & Bowling. Bowling House hosts 5 intimate lanes, perfect to get you building relationships with your teammates and competitors. Plus you’ll be able to continue the networking over an appetising tasting selection from their new menu! Full details.
So what are you waiting for? Book your places today to make sure you don’t miss out!
We’ll continue to launch our summer of fun throughout the coming weeks, including the return of our annual Look the Business fashion show event! If you want to keep up-to-date on our latest events you can sign up to our mailing list here.
On Thursday morning, Norfolk Chamber hosted another busy and thought-provoking business breakfast in a very sunny Great Yarmouth. We welcomed a room full of local businesses to Great Yarmouth Racecourse bright and early to make new business connections and hopefully instigate interesting discussion regarding the topic of the morning: Inspiring Norfolk supply chains for a project set to help create a Fossil Fuel Free Future.
Kindly sponsoring the event were Associated British Ports, who offer a range of services to support key regional industries in East Anglia, including the off-shore wind industry. We were pleased to welcome Dan Whyshall, who provided an informative overview to the company and the contribution it makes to the UK economy. In fact, ABP provides 5,300 jobs in East Anglia alone, delivers 500m tonnes of freight annually and contributes £360 million to the region’s economy. If you would like to find out more about this dynamic business, check out this video which encapsulates it brilliantly.
After a tasty and filling breakfast and lots of interesting discussion taking place around the room, giving delegates a chance to get to know one another and find out a bit about all of their various industries, it was then time to welcome the guest speaker for the morning. Susan Falch-Lovesey, Local Liason Office and Skills Champion at Vattenfall joined us to discuss how local businesses could be at the centre of the ground-breaking and impressive off-shore project, Norfolk Vanguard and Boreas.
Susan began by setting the scene and explained Vattenfall’s ethos and mission: to help create a Fossil Fuel Free Future, within one generation. The business, which is owned by the Swedish states, embodies this vision and keeps it at the heart of all of its projects, which include ground breaking Fossil Fuel Free Steel at industrial scale (Hybrit) and an E-Mobility charging system within thousands of charging stations across Europe (INCHARGE).
The reason behind Susan joining us in Great Yarmouth was to inform local businesses about Vatenfall’s latest project taking place on our very own coastline. As part of the Government’s Green Growth Strategy, Vattenfall are putting plans in motion to develop a wind farm powerful enough to sustain electricity supply for 10% UK households. As you can imagine, a project of this magnitude will need a lot of support, so Susan spoke to attendees about Vatenfall’s mission to get as many local organisations involved in the project as possible, hoping to have over 600 contracts in place ready to submit an application for the project. Susan was keen to highlight the message from Rob Lilley, Procurement Manager, that although they would be co-ordinating the project, it would be local business who would be building it and making the aspirations of Vattenfall a reality, as they believe ‘local knowledge and expertise are so important’.
After taking some questions from the guests, it was then time to close the session. Our delegates left to continue with their working day hopefully having made new business connections and feeling more informed, and perhaps inspired, by the innovative project soon to be taking shape on Norfolk’s coastline.
For more details about supply chain opportunities for Vattenfall’s project, take a look at the presentation from Thursday morning or visit their website to find out how you can get involved.
If you are interested in coming along to one of our Great Yarmouth business breakfasts, visit our events page or email us. The next one coming up is on Thursday 21st June 2018.
Commenting on the labour market figures for April 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The continued rise in employment, coupled with a further drop-in the unemployment rate, is further evidence that the UK jobs market remains in good shape, with firms continuing to recruit despite sluggish economic conditions. However, the rising number of hours worked indicates that the recent pick-up in UK productivity is likely to be short lived.
“The end of a prolonged squeeze on real wage growth is an important moment, although maintaining positive real wage growth could prove challenging without sustained increases in productivity and relieving the high upfront costs which restrict pay increases. The return to positive real wage growth is unlikely to translate into materially stronger spending in the near term with consumers expected to remain under pressure from uncomfortably high debt levels, particularly if interest rates rise further.
“Against this backdrop, ministers must do more to support firms looking to recruit and grow their business, including easing upfront business costs and plugging the growing skills gaps. Working with businesses to deliver meaningful reform to the Apprenticeship Levy, so it works better for everyone, would be a good place to start.”
With just under 12 months to go until the UK’s departure from the EU on 29 March 2019, new trade figures have revealed exports of UK goods and services at a record high.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), UK goods and services exports increased in 2017 faster than imports – up 12.1% and 9.3% respectively. As a result, the trade deficit narrowed significantly by £12.1 billion to £28.6 billion from £40.7 billion.
Overall, UK exports of goods and services have increased by 12.1% to £622.1 billion.
Annually, the UK’s current account deficit was £82.9 billion (4.1% of gross domestic product (GDP)) in 2017, a narrowing of £30.7 billion from a deficit of £113.6 billion in 2016; this is the narrowest deficit as a percentage of GDP since 2011 when it was 2.4%.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: “It’s clear evidence that UK companies are succeeding on the world stage, and as an international economic department we are banging the drum for the growing demand for our goods and services.”
He pointed out that non-EU countries continue to be the main destination for services exports (£171.4 billion), making up 61.3% of all exports in this sector.
Mr Fox also highlighted work done by the Department for International Trade (DIT) as it has now set up 14 working groups across 21 countries to strike trade deals and strengthen commercial ties with key trading partners.
An update to the apprenticeship system which will allow levy-paying organisations to transfer funds to another employer has been welcomed by business leaders.
Transfers are being introduced from next month to give levy-paying employers more flexibility in how they spend their apprenticeship service funds.
It means levy payers can work with other employers to help them take on apprentices, increasing the skills base in their supply chain, sector or local area.
Those who opt to transfer funds will do so on a monthly basis for the duration of the apprenticeship.
At the end of this month, levy-paying employers will have access to their transfers allowance in their apprenticeship service account.
A transfer estimator tool will help them calculate the apprenticeships they could fund through a transfer to another organisation.
They will then be able to agree to fund apprenticeships in one other organisation.
Employers that do not pay the levy will be able to register for an apprenticeship service account, enabling them to receive a transfer and start adding details of their apprenticeships to this account.
In June, once approved by the sending organisation, the first payments will be paid for apprenticeship starts added in May.
Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager at Norfolk Chamber said:
“With an ongoing skills gaps in Norfolk, and many businesses reporting hiring difficulties in the latest Quarterly Economic Survey, we are encouraged by this development. We hope it will mean that more levy funds can be fully utilised in the region. Going forward, we would like to see further flexibility on what organisations can spend their levy funding on.
For more information on Levy-transfers, businesses can:
An extensive independent survey has found that attempts to make a mobile phone call in locations across Norfolk are likely to be unsuccessful nearly one in five times. Norfolk County Council commissioned the survey earlier this year to establish a true picture of mobile voice and data coverage in the county, with the goal of using the information to work with mobile providers to improve coverage and tackle ‘not spots’. The survey was carried out between February and March this year and saw a specialist company, AWTG, appointed to gather information on the extent and quality of mobile phone coverage throughout the county. The survey was conducted along more than 3,400 miles of Norfolk’s roads but also at 30 railway stations and main railway lines, enterprise zones and popular tourist sites and destinations. The key overall findings from the survey show:
Phone signals for making voice calls in Norfolk were identified as a particular issue, with only 82% of call attempts being successful. The call failures happened throughout the county across a broad range of locations and for all operators
Mobile data (3G and/or 4G) services were available in around 91% of locations surveyed
Attempts to browse the web and stream video using mobile data were successful around 85% of the time, but web browsing success rates were considerably lower across all operators on 3G
4G data download speeds were good compared to the national average, particularly on EE, however 4G coverage issues were widespread which could impact on people’s experience of using the service, particularly indoors
Tom Garrod, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee, said: “People have been telling us for some time that phone signal around the county isn’t good enough. While the survey shows Norfolk is comparable to the rest of the UK in some respects, it’s clear there is still considerable room for improvement, particularly in enabling people to make phone calls wherever they are in the county. “We’ve made it clear that this isn’t just a fact finding mission for us – we want to use this information to make a difference and improve mobile phone coverage in Norfolk. We’ve already made the four main mobile network providers the offer of installing their mobile infrastructure on more than 200 public sector buildings and structures in the county, which was warmly received, so we now need to match these structures with the ‘not spots’ identified in the survey.”
Also commenting on the results of the mobile phone coverage survey, Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:
“Norfolk Chamber and our members welcome the work that the Digital Innovation & Efficiency Committee has done to map the actual mobile signal coverage in our region.
“We have a diverse and innovative business community in Norfolk, however if we want to be seen as a place to do business and be able to compete at a national and international level, we need to further improve Norfolk’s mobile signal infrastructure. The survey has now made available actual data that can be used by businesses to make informed decisions about which provider will suit them best. The data will also allow Norfolk Chamber and the County Council to lobby for greater investment for our region which will allow businesses the connectivity they need to do business on the move and generate more economic growth and jobs.”
Norfolk County Council will also start work on plotting the information collected onto an interactive map that will be available on the council’s website. This will allow people to see which of the four major providers – EE, Telefonica/O2, Three and Vodafone – have the best coverage by area and for their needs. This map and more detailed information about the outcome of the survey is due to be available to coincide with the next meeting of the council’s Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee, where the outcome of the survey and next steps will be discussed. The committee will meet on Friday, 11 May at County Hall in Norwich.
Norfolk Chamber believes that getting the A47 fully dualled is vital to the future success of Norfolk. So we are working in partnership with Norfolk County Council and the Eastern Daily Press on a Just Dual It! Campaign.
The campaign will highlight how vital the need for further improvements along the A47 really are. It is already evident that poor infrastructure is restricting business growth in Norfolk. Improvements along this significant east/west trunk road will help every sector of the business community, right across the county and will enable them to deliver greater economic growth and jobs for our region.
We are asking businesses and the general public to complete ‘Wish We Were Dualled’ postcards to highlight why you want to see the A47 dualled. The postcards will be collated in the summer with the intention of taking them down to Westminster to evidence the strong support that exists for getting the A47 dualled.
To date over 1,700 postcards have been returned – but we want more!
Pick up a Just Dual It! postcard from receptions in any of the following buildings:
Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, 9 Norwich Business Park, Whiting Road, Norwich
Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich
The Eastern Daily Press, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich
Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Town Hall, Hall Plain, Great Yarmouth, NR30 2QF
Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, Kings Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn
Tweet your support for the campaign using the hashtag #justdualit. If you include your full name and location (e.g. village/town name) in the tweet, we will transfer your message onto a postcard for you
Please help us to show the Government how important this is to Norfolk. Thank you for your support!
Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber is part of a group of businesses who will be talking STEM at the University Technical College’s ‘Get ahead’ event on Thursday 19 April.
The event is free to attend and will be a great opportunity for students and parents to understand what opportunities are available when considering a technical career. You can meet local industry experts; a chance to talk to current apprentices about their experiences; and the various exhibits will include a DAF truck, racing motorcycle and go kart, 3D VR, modelling software.
Other speakers include James Shaw from the RAF, Sue Falch-Lovesay from Vattenfall and Richard Bridgeman from Warren Services.
Commenting on the importance of these type of events and encouraging students to consider STEM subjects, Chris Sargisson said:
“Norfolk Chamber is urging businesses to step forward and inspire the next generation of talent by supporting events such as ‘Get Ahead’. Young people need to be aware of all the opportunities open to them within the county. By being passionate about this, we will stop seeing the migration of students, who qualify and move away. We can retain our brightest stars in the sorts of roles where their skills are desperately needed.”
The event is being held on Thursday 19 April from 4pm – 7pm at the University Technical College, Norwich. To find out more and to book your place click here
Qdos Consulting, the providers of Chamber HR, Legal, Tax and Health & Safety advice line and website which is free to Chambers of Commerce members has enhanced the online support available.
The new-look website allows members to find what they are looking for more easily. We are confident that members will find the website simple to use and will find the service a lot quicker and user friendly, with access to over 750 improved and enhanced documents, policies, letters and template forms for employers to use. The website also benefits from an improved navigation and search facility system which also allows members to access documents from a number of different locations on the website.
Members have free access to four key services as part of their Norfolk Chamber membership;
ChamberHR – advice line and website resources
ChamberLegal- advice line and website resources
ChamberH&S – advice line and website resources
ChamberTax – advice lines for taxation and VAT and incluses insurance to cover to deal with a full HMRC enquiry, aspect enquiries, PAYE disputes and VAT disputes
All of these advice lines will be accessed via one phone number – 01455 852037 and the HR and legal lines are available 24/7, 365 days a year. For more information of what is included in the four key service click here.
The website resources require a password provided by Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to all members and once logged in users will have access to a document library with over 750 free downloadable template documents covering employment, health & safety and legal matters. To access the online resources click here. If you don’t know your password please contact Jake Burns, Membership Advisor on 01603 720207 or email hello@norfolkchamber.co.uk