On Tuesday 3rd March City Academy are holding an employer “hot seat” activity and would love for you to be involved.
This is a great exercise where Year 9 students chat to employers for 5 mins at a time about their role, industry, skills, and career journey. We’re looking for employer volunteers from various industries and backgrounds to come along and take to the hot seat!
If you’d like to be involved please contact Madeleine Matthews – [email protected]
There has been a positive response to the updated UK Border Operating Model from the International Meat Trade Association (IMTA). However they have stressed that clarification is needed on important details such as the certification for imports, check frequency from July next year and the locations of the Border Control Points where these checks will take place.
IMTAs CEO Katie Doherty made the following statement regarding veterinary checks, with particular focus on short shelf life products:
“Many have referred to the EU-New Zealand veterinary equivalence agreement which reduces physical checks to just 1% as a potential model for the UK-EU arrangement, but that still has significant potential implications for businesses and consumers. The 1% is random and the fact that you might be picked for the 1% checks itself makes supply chains trickier to manage. Even with the 1% physical checks, the EU-NZ vet equivalence agreement still requires 100% ID checks”
She added, “We have deep concern about the government’s UK Global Tariff which lays down the tariffs that will apply to goods not covered by a quota or free trade agreement. For meat, we need at least the same volume access to the product from the EU at the end of the transition period. It is imperative that a deal is achieved by the UK and EU that secures tariff and quota free access for meat as it is in the interests of importers, users of imported inputs such as manufacturers and consumers. We are not self-sufficient and we need imports to complement UK domestic production to ensure food security, consumer choice and availability of product year-round whatever the outcome of negotiations.”
As we head into the final month of 2020, the time until the transition date decreases, and the probability of a no-deal increases. Whilst this hangs in the balance, some businesses may feel inclined to wait until the last minute to see what deal comes through. However, this strategy can be incredibly damaging to your organisation and the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce recommends preparing for any scenario, deal or no-deal. No matter the outcome, significant changes to your organisation will be required. To help you prepare, we are offering businesses free support through our online Brexit Hub and if you haven’t capitalised on this opportunity, then we urge you to do so at your earliest convenience – our business advice lines are becoming busier as we hurtle towards the deadline.
We are all hoping for a deal to come to the table, but what is the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on your business?
Although this may all seem daunting, you’re not up the creek without a paddle. the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce are to help, no matter what happens on January 1st. You can access our comprehensive and easy-to-use Brexit Hub full of free resources by clicking here. You can also phone our expert trade advisors on 01603 625977.
Do MPs help to make a positive difference?
At the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce event involving all the Norfolk MPs back in February 2014, Chamber member Rachel Blackburn, Director of US2U Consulting raised the issue that it was taking over 3 months for a new taxi driver to get their licence from Norwich City Council, on behalf of her client ABC Taxis Ltd. As ABC Taxis planned to recruit 20 new drivers this year to meet customer demand, this clearly was a concern to them and also to the individuals concerned who are keen to start their new career.
Chloe Smith MP and Simon Wright MP agreed to help to solve the problem. Working with Rachel Blackburn, who met with Norwich City Council to profile the process in more detail, it has been a team effort to resolve the issue. Norwich City Council has agreed that the process should take around 8 weeks and currently the experience when hiring the new drivers recently has been that it has been taking around 5 weeks. A significant difference.
US2U Consulting and ABC Taxis have also produced a film to make the recruitment and licencing process easier to understand from the new recruits point of view. This can be seen on the ABC Taxis website at https://www.abctaxisnorwich.co.uk/Recruitment.aspx . Chloe Smith also visited the ABC Taxis team as part of the process.”
The March edition of the Norwich Economic Barometer has now been published. It highlighted that Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed that over 2014 industrial productions and manufacturing rose by 1.3% and 1.9% respectively. This was helped by the oil and gas production in the North Sea, which showed a rise of 2.4% in January 2015.
The Pound climbed against the Euro by 2.7% and 6.1% against the US Dollar – this has weakened overseas sales for some companies. UK consumer confidence in their spending power had grown to its highest point in the last four years, as the living costs continue to fall and the mood around employment is more upbeat.
Locally, Norwich Castle have secured £1m of government funding to redesign the Keep. It is hoped this will attract an extra 100,000 visitors per year once completed. The Norfolk Car Club will add a further 6 locations across the city in the next 2 months; and the Government also approved the £2bn East Anglia ONE Offshore Wind Farm, which is expected to create up to 3,000 new jobs. The contract winners, Scottish Power plan to start construction in 2017 and are holding a Supply Chain Presentation at Norfolk Chamber’s offices on Wednesday 25 March 2015. On Wednesday 01 April, a grant scheme of up to £3,000 will be available to businesses in Norwich to boost their broadband connection.
To find out more about the grant and to read the full economic report click here.
Commenting on the Liberal Democrat Party manifesto and the policies proposed, Dr Adam Marshall, Executive Director of the British Chambers of Commerce said:
“It is good to see that the Liberal Democrats’ policy proposals include a commitment to investing in infrastructure, improving access to finance by expanding the Business Bank, and greater support for firms to grow apprenticeship numbers.Companies also badly want to see the promised ‘broad and well considered business rates review’ materialise.
“Continued Liberal Democrat opposition to expansion of airport capacity is short-sighted when the need is so critical.
“Businesses will also be concerned by a number of Lib Dem tax proposals. Restricting entrepreneurs’ relief, hiking dividend taxes and slashing annual allowances for Capital Gains Tax, could have a chilling effect on growth. The last thing the UK needs is tax changes that discourage entrepreneurial risk-taking by startup and growth companies.”
Great Yarmouth’s Third River Crossing is one of Norfolk County Council’s most significant infrastructure development projects in recent years and will integrate with several other local development projects set to transform the town of Great Yarmouth.
The Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing will link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone on the other side of the river. The bridge will ease traffic congestion on the town’s roads, shortening journey times and improving journey reliability, as well as supporting wider plans and work to maximise investment, regeneration and economic growth opportunities in the town and wider borough.
Construction work is set to begin on the Third River Crossing early in January 2021, with more than 50 local employment and training opportunities being created by the main contractor BAM Farrans and the wider supply chain during the delivery of the project, leaving a lasting legacy for the local area and its people.
BAM Farrans Joint Venture Project Director Tony Mulholland said “We’re thrilled to be involved with the construction of Great Yarmouth’s Third River Crossing, which will offer in excess of 50 employment and training opportunities for job seekers, students, graduates and apprentices through ourselves and our supply chain within Norfolk.
“Whilst constructing the new lifting bridge, our positive presence in Great Yarmouth will be felt through our community engagement, local recruitment and local spend. We will be working with local schools to involve children in the project and will be encouraging local businesses to become part of the supply chain, playing an important role in the construction of this iconic bridge. We will be working with Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Chamber to provide more details on these opportunities in the coming weeks.”
Councillor Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport said: “I’m delighted to see work on the long awaited Third River Crossing get underway and the commitment BAM Farrans have made to supporting the local economy.
“As well as providing jobs, it will make it much easier for people living and working in the borough to get around and provide crucial support to the town’s key industries, including those linked to the offshore energy and maritime sectors, tourism and manufacturing. This is more important than ever now as we seek to help Norfolk’s economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.”
Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said: “A third river crossing in Great Yarmouth will help to improve that connectivity and create new jobs, of which 30% will be jobs for a local workforce. It will improve links across the town and to the rest of the region and reduce congestion. All of which will save local businesses time and money, whilst allowing them to increase economic growth.”
The welcome news of works beginning in January 2021, follows an official letter from the Department for Transport, received by Norfolk County Council on Wednesday 25 November 2020, which confirmed the approval of the government contribution of £98 million, coinciding with the Chancellor’s Spending Review, enabling the construction of the new bridge following the conclusion of a year-long development consent order process.
The project is expected to cost £121 million overall, with the remainder of funding coming from local sources.
With the busy festive season approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is calling on East of England’s 1,154,200 Self Assessment customers not to miss the 31 January deadline.
The 2019-20 tax return can be finalised at any time up to the deadline but HMRC is encouraging customers to complete it early to allow for more time to pay their tax bill or set up a payment plan.
Customers must complete a Self Assessment return if:
HMRC’s Interim Director General of Customer Services, Karl Khan, said:
“The 31st January deadline for tax returns is still a few weeks away, but customers don’t have to wait until then. We’re encouraging them to beat the busy January rush and get their tax returns in now.
“We know that many people are affected by the coronavirus pandemic this year and we’re here to help if they need to spread the cost of their tax bill. It’s quick and easy to set up a payment plan online and there’s no need to call us to set it up.”
Once Self Assessment customers have completed their 2019-20 tax return, and know how much tax is owed, they can set up their own payment plan to help spread the cost of their tax liabilities, up to the value of £30,000. They can use the self-serve Time to Pay facility to set up monthly direct debits and this can all be done online. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balance from 1 February 2021.
To find out if they’re eligible, customers can visit GOV.UK to learn more about the service.
Customers can also now check on GOV.UK whether they need to declare, or possibly pay tax, on any ‘casual’ income they receive. The new interactive guidance is quick and easy to use and explains what individuals need to do if they receive non-PAYE income from:
• selling things, for example at car boot sales or auctions, or online
• doing casual jobs such as gardening, food delivery or babysitting
• charging other people for using your equipment or tools
• renting out property or part of their home, including for holidays (for example, through an agency or online).
Be aware of copycat HMRC websites and phishing scams. Customers should always type in the full online address www.gov.uk/hmrc to get the correct link for filing their Self Assessment return online securely and free of charge. They also need to be alert if someone calls, emails or texts claiming to be from HMRC, saying that they can claim financial help, are due a tax refund or owe tax. It might be a scam. Check GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact.
BAM Farrans Joint Venture (BFJV) are undertaking the main works contract for Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing on behalf of Norfolk County Council. BFJV is committed to a local supply chain and working with local companies. Over 80% of our sub‐contractors are Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) and will be key to the successful delivery of Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing.
If you are a SME, local subcontractor or specialist supplier interested in working on the project please email [email protected] with contact details and type of works you are interested in.
Opportunities include:
For further information about the project, please visit www.Norfolk.gov.uk/3rc
Alternatively call BFJV on 0800 083 8160
Commenting on the extension of government-backed loan schemes – the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme and Bounce Back Loan Scheme – until the end of April, announced today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, BCC Head of Economics Suren Thiru said:
“Cashflow remains an urgent concern for many businesses, so the extension to the government-backed loan schemes is a common-sense step.
“However, it is concerning that many firms who bank with non-accredited lenders remain effectively locked out of these vital financial lifelines. Government, regulators and banks must work together to ensure that all eligible firms can access this support to help them weather this challenging period.
“Government must also be ready to further expand the existing grant schemes to ensure that as many businesses as possible get access to the support they need.”
Commenting on the extension of the furlough scheme until the end of April, BCC Director of Policy James Martin said:
“The extension to the furlough scheme is a welcome move and will provide much needed certainly and support that many need to protect jobs and livelihoods.
“Over the coming months, the government should continue to listen to business and evolve it support measures with the on the ground impact of the pandemic. Further cashflow support will be needed for companies who are unable to operate for an extended period, or those who face reduced capacity or demand due to ongoing restrictions.
Following the agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, the Government has published two documents to help businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period on 1 January 2021.
The two documents detail the key actions businesses need to take and provides guidance and details of helplines available to businesses. They also provide sector specific Brexit transition actions.
Norfolk Chambers can also help support businesses through the transition period – please visit our Brexit Hub.
For any import or export of goods, you’ll need a commodity code to make your customs declaration when you bring goods in or send goods out of the UK or EU. This includes goods sent to you from abroad.
If you classify your goods correctly you’ll know what rate of duty and import VAT you should pay, and if:
