Chamber News

Responding to government confirmation of a 14-day quarantine for all air passengers and further detail on exemptions for those arriving in the UK, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: 

 “Business communities in the UK and around the world remain concerned by the Government’s decision to impose a blanket quarantine on international arrivals.  

 “The safe re-establishment of connections to key markets and trade partners must now be a top priority for the Government. ‘Air bridges’ must be put in place swiftly for the sake of the many industries and livelihoods that depend on the UK’s connectivity across the world. Any review process should consult widely with affected business communities all across the UK. 

 “Co-ordinated checks at departure and arrival airports, together with other internationally-agreed safety measures, would alleviate the need for a blanket quarantine affecting arrivals from every country around the world.” 

With many businesses beginning the gradual transition back to working in offices, the government have outlined further details on the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

The new announcements include improved flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part-time, and a new taper requiring employers to contribute modestly to furlough salaries from August.

From 01 July 2020, businesses will be given the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part-time. This is a month earlier than previously announced to help support people coming back to work. Individual firms will decide the hours and shift patterns their employees will work on their return so that they can decide on the best approach for them – and will be responsible for paying their wages while in work.

From August 2020, the level of government grant provided through the job retention scheme will be slowly tapered to reflect that people will be returning to work. That means that for June and July the government will continue to pay 80% of people’s salaries. In the following months, businesses will be asked to contribute a modest share, but crucially individuals will continue to receive that 80% of salary covering the time they are unable to work.

The scheme updates mean that the following will apply for the period people are furloughed:

• June and July: The government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 as well as employer National Insurance (ER NICS) and pension contributions. Employers are not required to pay anything.
• August: The government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions – for the average claim, this represents 5% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.
• September: The government will pay 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,187.50. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 10% of wages to make up 80% total up to a cap of £2,500. For the average claim, this represents 14% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.
• October: The government will pay 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 20% of wages to make up 80% total up to a cap of £2,500. For the average claim, this represents 23% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.

More information.

As we all continue to use Zoom for online calls and webinars, we need to be increasingly vigilant to avoid security breaches or ‘Zoombombing’, which has increased across the UK and globally.

Our Head of Customer Experience, Philippa Bindley has been looking at how to ensure Norfolk Chambers and our members stay safe on the Chambers virtual events and webinars.  She said:  “The majority of us now consider ourselves to be somewhat Zoom aficionados, however there are some great top tips that will help reduce the possibility of being ‘Zoombombed’ and make it a safer environment in which to hold your meetings and webinars”

Here are Philippa’s top tips:

• Turn off the function that allows guests to change their name themselves.
• Don’t allow participants to share their screen. If you have an external speaker who needs to, make them a co-host during their presentation and then revert back to a participant.
• You may also want to disable virtual backgrounds for participants as this could be used for sharing inappropriate images.
• Have a team member co-host the call with you for support and to help keep an eye on things.
• Make sure you know who is joining your call, in advance and check anyone you are unsure of.
• Approve registrations before sending the log on details and password to participants.
• Close registration 1 hour in advance so that people can’t continue to register at the last minute.
• Once everyone is on the call, lock the room. You should notify approved participants that this will happen 5 minutes after the call starts.”

For more detailed information on how to implement the above, see the best practice security guide from Zoom.

The UK Government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces in England are as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic. Join a free webinar, hosted by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to find out more about how to make your workplace COVID-secure.

The webinars cover a range of different types of workplace settings which are allowed to be open. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of the guides/webinars as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.

Construction and other outdoor work – Guidance for people who run outdoor working environments / Monday 01 June, 11am – Book now

Labs and research facilities – Guidance for people who run indoor labs and research facilities and similar environments / Monday 01 June, 3pm – Book now

Offices and contact centres – Guidance for people who run offices, contact centres and similar indoor environments / Tursday 02 June, 11am – Book now

Homes – Guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to home environments as well as their employers / Tuesday 02 June, 3pm – Book now

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced that the government will be extending the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.  Those eligible under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), which has so far seen 2.3 million claims will be able to claim a second and final grant in August. The grant will be worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total.

Mr Sunak also set out more details on how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) will continue to support jobs and business as people return to work, following the announcement of an extension of the scheme on 12 May.  So far, the CJRS has helped 1 million employers across the UK furlough 8.4 million jobs, protecting people’s livelihoods.

From 1 July 2020, businesses will be given the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part time. This is a month earlier than previously announced to help support people back to work.

Individual firms will decide the hours and shift patterns their employees will work on their return, so that they can decide on the best approach for them – and will be responsible for paying their wages while in work.

From August 2020, the level of government grant provided through the job retention scheme will be slowly tapered to reflect that people will be returning to work. That means that for June and July the Government will continue to pay 80% of people’s salaries. In the following months, businesses will be asked to contribute a modest share, but crucially individuals will continue to receive that 80% of salary covering the time they are unable to work.

The scheme updates mean that the following will apply for the period people are furloughed:

• June and July: The government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 as well as employer National Insurance (ER NICS) and pension contributions. Employers are not required to pay anything.
• August: The government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions – for the average claim, this represents 5% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.
• September: The government will pay 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,190. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 10% of wages to make up 80% total up to a cap of £2,500. For the average claim, this represents 14% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.
• October: The government will pay 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 20% of wages to make up 80% total up to a cap of £2,500. For the average claim, this represents 23% of the gross employment costs the employer would have incurred had the employee not been furloughed.

Commenting on the Chancellor’s announcement, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said:

“The Chancellor has listened to business communities and struck a careful balance that will help many firms bring furloughed staff back to work flexibly over the coming months.

“The gradual reduction in furlough contributions from the Treasury will give businesses additional time to rebuild their income streams and cash flows, and the decision to give businesses maximum flexibility to bring people back part-time will be appreciated.”

“The furlough scheme has helped companies preserve millions of jobs through lockdown, but many firms still face significant uncertainty ahead. On that basis, closing the scheme to new applicants in June feels premature, and risks undermining some of the work already done to preserve businesses and jobs.

“Over the coming months, government will need to be open to providing new and additional support for businesses and staff who are unable to get back to work for an extended period, especially in sectors of the economy facing reduced capacity or demand due to ongoing restrictions.”

On extended support for the self-employed:

“The extension of support for the self-employed will come as welcome relief for those who have seen their livelihoods impacted by the virus. It is right that this group continues to receive similar levels of support to those on PAYE.”

The new NHS Test and Trace service has launched today across England.  Take a look at the NHS test and trace workplace guidance and the Q&A for external stakeholders.

• NHS Test and Trace service to form a central part of the government’s coronavirus recovery strategy
• Anyone with symptoms will be tested and their close contacts will be traced
• New guidance means those who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive must isolate for 14 days, even if they have no symptoms, to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus

The service is designed to help identify, contain and control coronavirus, reduce the spread of the virus and save lives. 

From today, anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to share information about their recent interactions. This could include household members, people with whom they have been in direct contact, or within 2 metres for more than 15 minutes. 

People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus. 

If those in isolation develop symptoms, they can book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. If they test positive, they must continue to stay at home for 7 days or until their symptoms have passed. If they test negative, they must complete the 14-day isolation period. 

Members of their household will not have to stay at home unless the person identified becomes symptomatic, at which point they must also self-isolate for 14 days to avoid unknowingly spreading the virus. 

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:

“As we move to the next stage of our fight against coronavirus, we will be able to replace national lockdowns with individual isolation and, if necessary, local action where there are outbreaks.

“NHS Test and Trace will be vital to stopping the spread of the virus. It is how we will be able to protect our friends and family from infection, and protect our NHS. 

“This new system will help us keep this virus under control while carefully and safely lifting the lockdown nationally.”

NHS Test and Trace brings together four tools to control the virus.

• Test: increasing availability and speed of testing will underpin NHS Test and Trace.

• Trace: when someone tests positive for coronavirus the NHS Test and Trace service will use dedicated contact tracing staff, online services and local public health experts to identify any close recent contacts they’ve had and alert those most at risk of having the virus who need to self-isolate. This will be complemented by the rollout of the NHS Covid-19 App in the coming weeks.
• Contain: A national Joint Biosecurity Centre will work with local authorities and public health teams in PHE, including local Directors of Public Health, to identify localised outbreaks and support effective local responses, including plans to quickly deploy testing facilities to particular locations. Local authorities have been supported by £300m of new funding to help local authorities develop their own local outbreak control plans. 
• Enable: Government to learn more about the virus, including as the science develops, to explore how we could go further in easing infection control measures.

The NHS Test and Trace service, including 25,000 dedicated contact tracing staff working with Public Health England, will have the capacity to trace the contacts of 10,000 people who test positive for coronavirus per day and can be scaled up if needed.

The rollout of the NHS Test and Trace service has been made possible by the rapid expansion of testing. The largest network of diagnostic testing facilities in British history has been created and will soon have the capacity to carry out 200,000 tests a day. This includes 50 drive-through sites, more than 100 mobile testing units and 3 mega laboratories. 

People who are contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service will be given clear information explaining what they must do and how they can access local support if needed. Guidance is also available online at gov.uk/coronavirus. This comes as the Department for Work and Pensions has announced that those having to self-isolate will be eligible for statutory sick pay if they are unable to work from home. This applies across the four nations of the UK. 

Commenting on the announcement of the government’s Test and Trace Coronavirus programme, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:

“‘A comprehensive Test and Trace programme is essential to boosting the confidence of businesses, staff and consumers as the economic re-start continues.  Businesses will be keen to play their part in the success of the programme, and will support their staff to follow the guidance.”

Employers across the UK with fewer than 250 employees can now claim for Coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Tax agents are also able to make claims on their behalf.

The repayment will cover up to two weeks of the applicable rate of SSP. See more information on eligibility and how to make a claim.

Who can use the scheme

You can use the scheme as an employer if:

• you’re claiming for an employee who’s eligible for sick pay due to coronavirus
• you have a PAYE payroll scheme that was created and started on or before 28 February 2020
• you had fewer than 250 employees on 28 February 2020 across all your PAYE payroll schemes

Employees do not have to give you a doctor’s fit note for you to make a claim. But you can ask them to give you either:

• an isolation note from NHS 111 – if they are self-isolating and cannot work because of coronavirus (COVID-19)
• the NHS or GP letter telling them to stay at home for at least 12 weeks because they’re at high risk of severe illness from coronavirus
• The scheme covers all types of employment contracts, including:
• full-time employees
• part-time employees
• employees on agency contracts
• employees on flexible or zero-hour contracts
• fixed term contracts (until the date their contract ends)

Responding to the planned government announcement of a 14-day quarantine for all air passengers arriving in the UK, British Chambers of Commerce Director General, Adam Marshall said:

“Business communities in the UK and around the world will be deeply concerned by the decision to impose a blanket quarantine for international arrivals.

“This approach will damage international business and investor confidence at a time when it is vital to demonstrate that the UK can open for business safely. Co-ordinated checks at departure and arrival airports, and strong safety measures would alleviate the need for a wholesale quarantine.

“Businesses will look to the Government to set out a clear plan for the safe re-establishment of air connections to key markets and trade partners around the world. Any review process should consult widely with business communities.”

The government has announced a roadmap for reopening non-essential retail next month. From 1 June, outdoor markets and car showrooms may reopen, subject to premises being made COVID-secure. Following this, from 15 June, all other retailers, ranging from shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, as well as tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets may reopen, if the Government’s five tests are met and these retailers follow the COVID-19 secure guidelines. 

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement on the phased reopening of the retail sector in England, related workplace guidance and enforcement powers, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

“Clarity and guidance on plans for a phased reopening of the retail sector will be welcomed.

“Businesses will be taking a safe, proportionate and risk-based approach to returning to work, in close consultation with their staff. For many this will be an entirely new way of operating as they apply guidance to the practical realities of their business.

“HSE and local authorities should support businesses as they seek to comply with the new rules – and reserve new enforcement powers for the tiny minority of businesses who are wilfully disobeying or ignoring their obligations.”

Also commenting on the reopening of the retail sector, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:

“Work is already underway in Norfolk with the Chambers, New Anglia LEP and the Business Improvement Districts in Norwich, King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth working together to help support retailers to return to trading.”

Support from Norwich BID

Support from Discover King’s Lynn

New Anglia LEP Business Toolkit

Retailers also have the opportunity to attend a free webinar, hosted by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to find out more about how to make your retail workplace COVID-secure.

The BEIS Webinar will be held on: Thursday 28 May, 11am: Book your free place here.

As we all work to restart, rebuild, and renew – the voice of Norfolk business is more important than ever. This will be the first QES since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic in the UK and the subsequent lockdown.

The Chambers QES data will mark the clear shift from pre-Coronavirus conditions to the current situation and will form a significant part of the historical economic record.

Without this vital local and regional knowledge the decision makers cannot make informed  choices and put in the right support mechanisms that ultimately may 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

Take Part Now.

As the government starts easing lockdown, many business owners are considering what steps they need to take to ensure their premises are safe to return to.

Hear from three Norfolk Chambers member businesses have already been through that process and have been giving their insight into how they adapted their ways of working to ensure their staff were safe at work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Panel Graphic, Loddon based engineering firm

Panel Graphic’s factory has been open throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period, producing more than 10,000 face shields each day for frontline workers.

Glenn Long, who has been managing logistics to produce face shields, shares the firm’s practical tips for operating safely.

The company implemented:

• Staggered break times
• Staggered start/finish times
• A one-way system
• Distancing floor graphics
• Adding sanitising zones
• PPE i.e. face shields
• Social distancing
• Workplace partitioning

He added: “As well as making our workplace safe for our staff, we’ve learnt a couple of valuable lessons during this period. Reliable suppliers have turned out to be key as many base materials are in short supply. We’ve also learnt that we have to embrace new market opportunities and act quickly.”

Warren Services, Thetford based engineering firm

Warren Services has introduced new shift patterns and embraced new technology to keep delivering for its customers through the COVID-19 lockdown.

Founder owner Richard Bridgman shares his advice on how to keep staff safe and well-informed.  He said:

“My first piece of advice to all companies is be positive rather than looking at why they cannot open, look at how to make it possible.

“From the start we at Warren Services were determined to stay open, we had a full order book. We discussed this with our customers, who told us that they still wanted their work on time and that they would adhere to agreed payment terms.

“So our next challenge was to look at how we work within Government guidelines and how we would keep our employees safe.

“Luckily we have been working hard on 4.0 and fully using IT, so we soon had the majority of the office staff working from home.

“Next, we divided the workforce in half and started two shifts : 6:00am – 2:00pm and 2:15pm – 10:15pm. This allows for all staff to leave before the others come in.

“We have opened all factory doors to make it easier for everyone to get in and out quickly, personal lockers are now spread about the factory or employees are encouraged to come to work in their overalls, bringing only the minimum amount of personal items in.

“Breaks are spread about more throughout the day and some take them in their cars. Social distancing rules always apply throughout the business. We have strict cleaning regimes in all areas and all machines and equipment are wiped down at the end of all shifts.

“We have had to adjust and tweak as we go along and the main thing is to use common sense.”

Pasta Foods, Norwich and Great Yarmouth based dried pasta manufacturer

Operations Director David Matwij shares the processes which the firm put in place to allow operations to continue during lockdown.  He said:

“We put together a list of activities which we implemented to not only keep our individual employees, safe, but to keep their families and partners safe as well.

“Behind those measures, we carry out weekly audits to cross check that all staff are adhering to our new policies and procedures and those are conducted by our Health, Safety and Environmental Officer.”

Some changes have been made to the physical space within the factories, including:

• Signs were displayed in various entrance points across all three facilities
• Additional hand sanitisation was installed in all entrances to the sites and factory processing areas
• All staff were provided with ‘personal’ hand sanitisers to carry upon their person and these are refilled when required
• Clear segregation barriers were installed within main office block entrances with clear instructions on our COVID-19 process
• A strict two metre distancing rule was applied
• Canteen tables and chairs were removed to allow two metre spacing within the area
• Staff kitchen areas limited to one person use at a time

A number of changes to working practices were also made:

• All applicable office staff and Directors commenced working from home and were provided with all of the necessary tools to be able to complete their task in full, from computers and printers to network connection availability
• All employed personnel were provided with a letter indicating that they were a ‘key’ worker, inclusive of site and working hours
• Document handling procedures with distribution partners were changed to prevent hand contact
• Breaks were staggered to allow limited exposure to people in rest areas
• Shift start/finish times were staggered to prevent staff congregating around clocking in/out machines to allow people flow
• Regular updates were provided by Senior Management regarding our ‘Company position’ on COVID-19 and daily calls ensured new policies and processes were communicated to staff
• Any member of staff within our Business who had possibly come into contact with somebody with COVID-19 symptoms were asked to self-isolate on full pay for seven days, followed by the increased isolation of fourteen days
• Introduced the availability of temperature testing for staff as and when required.
• All movements between manufacturing facilities required by Departmental Heads was ceased
• All visitors were asked not to attend site unless it was Business Critical, and if deemed necessary, all corrective measures were enforced and followed Government legislation at all times
• The company created a Government Log-in for COVID-19 test kits when these became available to speed up the process of testing

Government Guidelines for safe return to work

The UK government has provided guidance for businesses on working safely during Coronavirus – click here for the full details.

PPE Database

During the pandemic, New Anglia LEP created a database for local PPE suppliers – initially solely for supplying the NHS and the care sector.  This database is currently being updated to include ‘back to work’ items, like sneeze screens, sanitiser stations, signage and public realm furniture.  If your firm would like to access this database, please register for a login. https://newanglia.co.uk/ppe-supplier-database/

Organisations representing businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk are working together to help companies get ready to reopen as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.

Support to source PPE, advice for employers and employees and positive messages about our town centres are among challenges and solutions being shared by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, the Federation of Small Businesses, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, Norwich BID, Ipswich Central, Discover King’s Lynn and the Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership.

The group has been gathering advice from firms which were open throughout lockdown to produce case studies to help those now making plans to reopen. The tips include staggered break times, restrictions on numbers of people using canteens and kitchens, as well as looking at ways to allow for contact-free handling of paperwork for deliveries and orders.

The group is also working together to look at demand for PPE, using a database of local and national suppliers which has been created by New Anglia LEP.

Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said “Many businesses will be considering what they need to put in place to adhere to the government guidance.  Having access to examples of what has worked well for other businesses is really helpful.  We would also caution businesses to consider timescales – some products may take several days/weeks to deliver.  Having easy access to information about PPE suppliers will help them get organised.”

Hayley Mace, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Head of Communications and Engagement, said: “We know that many businesses are concerned about reopening. Whether they’re worried about getting the signage they’ll need or trying to work out how to ensure social distancing for staff and customers, it is a really challenging time and it’s important that business groups work together to try and come up with practical, helpful advice and consistent messages.”

You can read the case studies from some local Chamber member businesses online here.

To find out more visit New Anglia LEP’s PPE database.

For the latest Government guidance on working safely.