Norfolk Chamber members came along to the first networking event of the year, which took place at The Royal Assembly Rooms in Great Yarmouth on 18th January. The theme of the Business Breakfast was Workplace Wellbeing.
Centre 81 were our featured charity for the event, who came along to tell our guests more about their inspirational take on improving the lives of those living with a disability, the focus being on what they can do; not what they can’t do. Both Wrightway Health and Select Office Furniture also had a stand, who both advocate a focus on employee well-being.
After enjoying traditional networking activities and a full English breakfast, members heard from guest speaker Michelle Gant from Engaging People Company who shared some handy wellbeing tips that businesses could enact to improve the well-being of their staff.
If you are interested in attending our next business breakfast in Great Yarmouth click here to find out more about the next one taking place at The Great Yarmouth Race Course on Thursday 19 April.
10-week consultation offers the public an opportunity to shape Heathrow’s future and how the airport will serve local communities and the UK economy
Heathrow is seeking views on options to deliver and operate an expanded airport, alongside principles of new airspace design
Consultation is latest delivery milestone and comes ahead of a Parliamentary vote in the first half of 2018 on a National Policy Statement for a new north-west runway at Heathrow
The planning process for Heathrow expansion is now firmly underway, as the airport today launches what is set to be one of the largest public consultations in the country’s history.
Heathrow’s consultation is a major milestone in delivering an expanded airport – Europe’s largest privately funded infrastructure project, and the best way to keep the UK connected to global growth. For the next ten weeks, Heathrow will seek views on how to shape its plans so it can deliver the huge opportunities of expansion while keeping to the promises it has made to local communities and meeting strict environmental tests.
Over the past year, Heathrow has been working alongside local stakeholders and airline partners to evolve the plans it submitted to the Airports Commission. This engagement has identified options to deliver an expanded hub airport for £2.5 billion less than previous plans – savings to help make sure airport charges stay close to today’s levels. These options can be delivered without compromising on the expansion commitments Heathrow made to local communities – including a world class property compensation scheme, the pledge to introduce a 6.5 hour ban on scheduled night flights and the promise to only release new capacity if air quality limits can be met.
Heathrow has also published its SME pledges and have 10 Business Summits planned for 2018 – across the UK to encourage SMEs to become involved in our supply chain as well as launching the process to pioneer new construction methods through off-site manufacturing with our Logistics Hubs.
The consultation launched today will be an opportunity for the public to view Heathrow’s emerging proposals and options in detail and provide feedback on them. It will be composed of two parts – the first relates to the physical changes to the ground needed to build a new north-west runway and operate an expanded airport. Feedback is being sought on potential infrastructure options including:
Three shortlisted options for the new north-west runway with length varying from between 3,200 and 3,500 metres
Potential locations to expand terminal infrastructure: east of Terminal 2, west of Terminal 5 or a new satellite terminal by the new runway
Proposed alignment of the M25: repositioning it approximately 150 metres to the west, and lowering it by 7 metres in a tunnel and raising the runway height so it passes over the M25
Options for changes to local roads and possible changes to two junctions leading to the M25
The airport is also asking for the public to review its plans to manage the effects of expansion on local communities and the environment.
The second part of the consultation relates to potential principles, or ‘rules’, that could apply when designing the new airspace required for an expanded airport. Airspace across the country is being modernised as it has changed little since the 1960s. Changes to airspace will ultimately improve resilience and punctuality for passengers while reducing noise, emissions and the number of late-running flights for local communities. At this early stage, future flight path options are not being consulted on.
Responses can be submitted until the 28th of March at any of the 40 consultation events held across communities surrounding the airport and also online, via email or post. Views heard in Heathrow’s consultation will help to shape and refine the airport’s proposals, which will then be subject to a second public consultation next year. Parliament is expected to vote on a National Policy Statement in the first half of this year, which will set out the policy framework for Heathrow’s final planning submission.
Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s Executive Director Expansion, invites local residents and stakeholders to take part in the consultation, saying:
“When the government announced its support for Heathrow expansion it made a clear commitment to keeping Britain open for business. We want an expanded Heathrow to be the world’s best airport, ensuring that our country and its future generations have the infrastructure they need to thrive.
“We need feedback to help deliver this opportunity responsibly and to create a long-term legacy both at a local and national level. Heathrow is consulting to ensure that we deliver benefits for our passengers, businesses across the country but also, importantly, for those neighbours closest to us.”
Tech Nation is a ground breaking series of reports on the UK’s digital tech ecosystem. Over the last three years – it has captured the strength, depth and breadth of activity across the UK and highlighted the emerging tech cluster in Norwich. It has revealed the scale of the digital tech sector, captured its growth, and – crucially – developed an understanding of the characteristics of the communities driving it.
Norfolk Chamber is a Tech Nation Community Partner and we want to help make Tech Nation 2018, the best report yet. But we need help from the Norfolk businesses community. Last year the survey had 2,700 responses, this year they hope to reach 11,000 responses, and to hear from all tech communities in the UK to allow Tech Nation to provide the most up to date and insightful data on the UK tech community in 2018.
Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“ICT and digital creative is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK and a major driver for the economy in Norfolk. Norwich is now a recognised Tech City and has strengths in digital advertising and marketing, telecommunications and networking. The previous Tech Nation report showed that there were over 5,300 digital jobs in Norwich helping drive a digital GVA of £148 million.
“We want to hear from you on topics such as diversity of the tech sector in your local area, on opportunities for high growth businesses and the quality of education and training.”
The closing date for responses is: 02 February 2017 and only takes 5 minutes to complete – have your say now!
Commenting on the Home Affairs Committee’s report on immigration policy, published today, Jane Gratton, Head of Business Environment and Skills at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The BCC has long campaigned for an immigration policy that supports business and the economy, so we welcome the Home Affairs Committee raising these issues.
“With unemployment at an all-time low, job vacancies remaining unfilled and businesses facing pervasive skills shortages, it makes no sense to cut-off an important supply of skills and labour. Businesses are not deliberately targeting non-UK workers, nor are they failing to train the UK workforce, but over half of firms we surveyed told us they would be affected in some way should there be any future restrictions on the rights of EEA nationals to work in the UK.
“Foreign students are crucial to the success of universities and surrounding business communities, but the majority do not stay in the UK once their studies are finished so including them in the immigration statistics is misguided.
“The UK should be striving to attract the brightest talent from around the world, so it’s crucial that our immigration policy reflects this.”
Norfolk Chamber are taking part in the Active Norfolk Workplace Challenge 2018. (We currently sit in the top 20 companies/organisations taking part for ‘actvitity points’!)
Companies and organisations across Norfolk are invited to take park in the ‘Workplace Challenge’. The aim of the programme is to promote sport, physical activity and health improvements. You can sign up to take part for free.
Building on the success of the Norfolk Chamber’s popular training courses in 2016 and 2017, we have a new programme for 2018! Chamber Training delivers a more in depth approach to a range of key business skills. We have developed our training programme of 30 courses to suit the demand of our attendees with a wide variety of courses ranging from HR, Personal development to sales and marketing.
Chamber Training offers insight, skills and techniques that you will be able to apply directly to your work. Special discounted rates apply to Norfolk Chamber members on all training courses from £125+ VAT.
Members can also access our free 1 hour bitesize Chamber Sessions which are delivered by our members.
2018 Training Programme
Search Engine Optimsation 30 January 2018 13:00 – 16:30 Time Managememt 01 February 2018 09:00 – 12:30 LinkedIn for Business 15 February 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Create Profitable Google AdWords Campaigns 27 February 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Essentials of Email Marketing 06 March 2018 13:00 – 16:30 Finance for non-financial managers 15 March 2018 09:00 – 12:30 The Art of Networking 27 March 2018 09:00 – 12:30 How to improve your sales success 05 April 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Building Rapport with Clients 17 April 2018 09:00 – 12:30 How to Succeed with paid Socail Media Advertising 24 April 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Engaging Writing for Business 01 May 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Google Analytics 08 May 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Facebook for Business 10 May 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Improve your E-commerce sales 22 May 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Create Profitable Google AdWords Campaigns 05 June 2018 09:00 – 12:30 LinkedIn for Business 08 June 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Art of Networking 12 June 2018 09:00 -12:30 Search Engine Optimsation 19 June 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Essentials of Email Marketing 03 July 2018 09:00 -12:30 Twitter for Business 10 July 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Time Management 12 July 2018 13:00 – 16:30 Finance for non – financial Managers 12 September 2018 09:00 -12:30 Building Rapport with Clients 02 October 2018 09:00 – 12:30 How to Improve your sales success 18 October 2018 13:00 – 16:30 Search Engine Optimsation 06 November 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Google Analytics 08 November 2018 13:00 – 16:30 Art of Networking 22 November 2018 13:00 – 16:30 Engaging Writing for Business 27 November 2018 09:00 – 12:30 Essentials of Email Marketing 29 January 2019 09:00 – 12:30 Time Management 05 February 2019 09:00 – 12:30 Facebook for Business 14 February 2019 13:00 – 12:30 Create Profitable Google AdWords Campaigns 26 February 2019 09:00 – 12:30 LinkedIn for Business 07 March 2019 09:00 – 12:30 Twitter for Business 14 March 2019 13:00 – 16:30 Finance for non – financial Managers 19 March 2019 09:00 – 12:30
It’s official! Six members of staff from Norfolk Chamber have signed up, and will be taking part, in the City of Norwich Half Marathon on April 15 2018.
The crazy few who have signed up are: Chris Sargisson, Philippa Bindley, Jack Edwards, Naomi Holmes, Joe Fitzgerald and Louise Marsden.
Throughout this challenge, the Norfolk Chamber team will be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
We are also looking for Norfolk businesses to support us by sponsoring our t-shirts to be worn on the day. Sponsorship starts at £200 and all excess funds will be donated to charity. Get in touch if you’re interested.
Fears that the UK will be flooded with cheap steel, ceramics and other products after Brexit have been voiced by a leading trade union.
Ahead of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill (the “Customs Bill”) receiving its second reading, the GMB called for the proposed Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) to be given the powers necessary to protect UK markets and jobs. The TRA itself is to be established under distinct but related legislation – the Trade Bill.
The effectiveness of the protection will, the union argues, depend on the Government introducing strong anti-dumping legislation.
Tackling unfair dumping here and in other Member States is currently the responsibility of the European Commission, which acts in accordance with EU legislation.
Once the UK leaves the EU, however, it will have to defend itself against unfair trading practices – something the GMB fears will be hard to do if the Government continues with its current approach to the issue.
In a letter signed by the union and nine other organisations that are part of the Manufacturers Trade Remedies Alliance (MTRA), the Government has been accused of ignoring previous submissions regarding the proposed UK trade remedy system.
MTRA members expressed concern that the proposed approach “appears to be predicated on a view that trade remedies are protectionist instruments that are ‘at best tolerated'”.
That view is, it stresses, fundamentally flawed because the role of effective trade remedies is to ensure a level playing field and to support effective competition.
Unless the Government changes tack, the GMB and other signatories fear that the UK will be heading towards “the weakest trade remedy regime in the world”.
At a time of uncertainty for British business, the UK should be legislating for a tried and tested approach to trade remedies, not an experimental one, the letter concludes.
The Norfolk Chamber’s MPs Event 2018 will bring together Norfolk MPs and local businesses for an afternoon of debates around the issues that matter most to our region. The event gives Chamber members the opportunity to submit their questions to our local politicians and help shape local policy. The MPs event survey is now live, and whether you are able to attend on 02 February, or just have a burning business question that you want answered – we would like to hear from you. Tell us what your top priorities are and submit up to 3 questions that you would like to ask local politicians at Norfolk Chamber’s key policy event. Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to rally our Norfolk MPs to the business cause. This year we’ll be focussing on celebrating business success in Norfolk, discussing opportunities for growth and development, identifying challenges and barriers and developing a plan of future actions to attract more inward invest in Norfolk.” We need to ensure our MPs understand the needs of the local business community and are able to clearly articulate our message in Westminster.” The event will be hosted by Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce who will be directing your questions to Norfolk MPs. Click here to submit your questions Have you registered to attend? Click here to book your place or find out more about the event.
Norfolk Chamber will be providing a business perspective to both Norfolk County Council’s Digital Innovation & Efficiency Committee and representatives from the four main providers of mobile networks in Norfolk later this month in meeting to discuss how mobile coverage in the county could be improved. Senior figures from EE, Telefonica/O2, Three and Vodafone have agreed to come to a meeting of the county Council’s Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee on Monday, 22 January to update councillors on their current investment plans and identify any opportunities to work together to improve the quality and reach of mobile data and voice coverage in Norfolk. Tom Garrod, Chairman of the Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee, said:
“We all know that mobile coverage in Norfolk is some way off where we want and need it to be. “Rather than grumble and point fingers, we want to see if there are practical things we can do to help the situation. I’m really pleased the four major mobile providers have accepted our invitation to come and talk to the committee. With a willingness to work together this could be a watershed moment for mobile connectivity in the county.” Opportunities to improve mobile coverage in Norfolk could include identifying and trying to remove any common barriers, using public sector buildings and assets to host mobile infrastructure and better sharing of information, including the results of the County Council’s recently announced mobile coverage survey. This will map mobile voice and data coverage across all major networks providing services in Norfolk. The council is due to award the contract to carry out the survey later this month and the results should be available in March.
Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber, who will be attending the meeting, said:
“Every Norfolk business wants to able to take advantage of new technology developments as they evolve. To achieve this we need more investment in our mobile signal infrastructure and changes in how the service providers operate i.e. roaming signals. The present mobile coverage maps show that there is still a big difference between coverage levels when using a mobile phone indoors and outdoors – by definition a mobile should be just that – mobile.
“A recent British Chambers of Commerce survey showed that 83% of Norfolk business users experienced ‘not spots’; 43% had access to 4G; and more concerning, there is still 11% of business users who can only access 2G – voice calls only, with no internet or data.
“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 more investment in Norfolk’s mobile signal infrastructure and a better service from the mobile providers, including roaming signals.”
As well as the four mobile providers, representatives from the mobile networks trade body, Mobile UK, will also attend the meeting and take part in the discussion, which will be held at 10am on Monday 22 January 2018.
Does your business regularly experience poor mobile phone signal coverage? If you can provide any additional evidence, please contact Nova Fairbank by email: nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk.
While the Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox, investigates the possibility of the UK joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), many British businesses see trade with Europe as their priority.
Responding to a survey conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), three-quarters (76%) of some 1300 businesses identified Europe as their top export market over the next three years.
Of those, 44% identified Western Europe as their destination – whether for starting or continuing exporting – while 32% preferred Central and Eastern Europe.
Western Europe was also cited by 36% of respondents as the market they intend to import from. Businesses looking to import told the BCC that a lack of suppliers in the UK is the main reason (43%), followed by exchange rates (41%) and price (33%).
“Europe is the UK’s largest trading partner, so it will come as no surprise that businesses regard access to European markets and products as fundamental to their medium-term trading strategies,” BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall pointed out.
Now that negotiations on the future UK-EU relationship are set to begin, he added, businesses need clarity on the practicalities of the future trading relationship between the UK and EU without delay.
UK businesses anticipate the most significant barriers to trade being tariffs (46%), customs procedures (39%) and local regulations (20%).
“High tariffs, cumbersome customs procedures, as well as conflicting regulatory requirements can deter firms from trading overseas,” Dr Marshall explained, “so a future agreement between the UK and the EU must minimise barriers and costs, to allow firms on both sides of the Channel to continue trading as freely as possible.”
Annual UK GDP growth revised up and the UK’s current account deficit narrows.
UK inflation rises above 3% as household spending outstrips income.
Japan records the longest stretch of unbroken GDP growth in over 20 years
The third official estimate of UK economic output (GDP) recorded growth of 0.4% in Q3 2017, unrevised from the previous estimate and up slightly from the growth of 0.3% recorded in Q2.
CPI inflation in the UK stood at 3.1% in November 2017, the highest rate since March 2012. The largest upward contribution to change in the rate came from air fares.
Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, grew by 0.6% in Q3 2017 (see Chart 10), double the previous estimate of 0.3%. Japan’s economy has now grown for seven straight quarters – the longest stretch of unbroken growth since 1994.
Taken together, the data suggest that the UK economic growth is set to remain underwhelming in 2018. With economic conditions likely to become more sluggish over the near term, it is vital that more is done to support firms looking to recruit and grow their business, including tackling the high up-front taxes and costs of doing business in the UK.