Did you know children’s careers ambitions are already limited by the age of seven?! The BBC covered a recent report from the OECD, where the company’s director, Andreas Schleicher, said how “talent is being wasted” because of ingrained stereotyping about social background, gender and race.
The Norwich Opportunity Area has launched a new campaign called #fromNorwich, designed to help inform aspirations about what’s possible!
There is a significant bank of research about the importance of having conversations about different sorts of jobs from an early age. Children form stereotypes about certain careers and job roles in primary school based on the world around them and who they know.
The NOA are calling on Norfolk businesses to make sure their future workforce are excited and inspired by the various jobs available in our area throughout their education journey – get involved in the #fromNorwich campaign by adding your own clips to the project!
Adults – record yourself saying: “When I was younger I wanted to be a … Now I am a …”
Children – record yourself saying: “When I grow up I want to be a…”
Or why not do it together?
Simply upload your clip to Instagram or Twitter and tag @fromNorwich to share your story!
Congratulating the Prime Minister on his election victory, as reported at 7.00am, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said:
“Restoring business, investor and consumer confidence – and firing up the economy – must now be the Prime Minister’s top priority.
“Campaign slogans must give way to a renewed focus on the details that matter. The Norfolk business community needs to see swift, decisive action to avoid a messy and disorderly exit from the EU and to tackle the barriers holding back investment and growth here in Norfolk and the rest of the UK.”
Businesses’ priorities for the new government include:
Avoiding a no-deal exit from the EU and delivering a smooth transition giving firms time to prepare.
Acting rapidly to reform business rates and replace them with a fairer system.
Pressing ahead with improvements to transport infrastructure including A47 improvements, and rail infrastructure improvements, as well as additional capacity at Heathrow with regional connectivity.
Investing in our skills base and reforming the Apprenticeships Levy so that more small firms can access high-quality training locally, at affordable cost.
Delivering a sensible immigration system that gives firms access to essential overseas talent at all levels.
From the 9th January 2020, the ESFA is expanding access to the apprenticeship service to employers who are not one of the existing 22,000 levy-payers using the service already. This will be of enormous benefit to SMEs connecting with apprenticeships across England.
Non-levy payers will now have greater ownership, visibility and involvement with apprenticeships, funding and access to a wider range of high-quality training providers. This will mean that SMEs – that form 99 per cent of the businesses in the UK – will be in greater control of the apprenticeships that they engage with.
The early transition – from now until March – will be an initial test phase, during which time we will undertake large scale testing, seeking feedback from smaller employers and training providers. During the transition in 2020 we will continue to run contracts with training providers so smaller employers have a choice around how they access apprenticeship funding, joining the apprenticeship service when they feel they are ready.
During the test phase, additional funding will be made available for up to 15,000 new starts through the service.
As we enable smaller employers to use the apprenticeship service, we are introducing the ability for them to reserve a funds for training. This will allow us to forecast, monitor and manage apprenticeships funding within the overall budget for apprenticeships. To manage a gradual transition from contracted training provision to employers arranging their own apprenticeships through the apprenticeship service, employers will initially be able to reserve funding for up to three apprenticeships.
Responding to the package of government announcements to help businesses affected by Coronavirus, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:
“Businesses will welcome the scale of the Government’s latest response, as well as the specific support it is offering to some of the worst-affected parts of our economy. These measures could be a lifeline for many businesses across the UK who are now experiencing wholesale disruption as a result of the pandemic.
“The key to the success of these measures is whether they get cash to businesses on the front line, fast. Companies need practical details, at great speed, for these interventions to have the desired impact, and to reassure firms across the UK.
“Both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor were clear that the Government would do whatever it takes over the coming days to support businesses, their employees, and the economy. Further measures will be needed to help all firms and their employees meet this unprecedented challenge.”
A new virtual networking hour to help businesses to promote their products, services and expertise is being launched by Norfolk Chambers of Commerce from Tuesday 23 March 2020.
The #NorfolkChamberHour on Twitter is launching in response to the disruption caused by coronavirus, with face-to-face events cancelled across the region and many firms resorting to home working.
The networking hour on Twitter will take place each day between 2pm and 3pm.
Businesses can network, connect and promote goods, services and expertise using the hash tag #NorfolkChamberHour.
The impact of coronavirus is likely to change the way many of us do business for the foreseeable future. It is important that businesses have a way to communicate with each other through difficult times and support each other.
This new virtual networking hour is a daily opportunity for businesses to log on and promote products, services and expertise that could help other firms and, in turn, their own during this uncertain period.
The #NorfokChamberHour will be operated from our @NorfolkChamber Twitter account
On the 13th February we welcomed our members to the first West Norfolk Lunch of 2020. The room was filled with around 30 business from all over Norfolk, many travelling from Norwich to attend and of course, our local West Norfolk members ventured to the beautiful The Ffolkes Inn.
The late morning event consisted of networking over coffee, and chats with our feature charity; EACH. The EACH stand had some beautiful pictures of their new hopsice located in Poringland as well as information on what you can do to get involved and support them.
We were called to be seated and enjoyed a delicious two course lunch provided the fantastic Ffolke Inn staff. We then heard from the very talented and knowledgable Lucy Mowatt, Director of Method Marketing, on what is conent marketing? Lucy explained that content marketing is a strategic marketing approach focused on creating and distributing valueable, relevant and consistent content. Lucy went on to say that content can be anyting from online articles, case studies and videos to podcasts and social media updates. Content is needed for brand awareness, engagement and conversations with your potential customers and to reach a wider audience.
Lucy gave the audience some tips on how to get started with content marketing and said that the most important thing to get started is to always do your research and know your audience, with this in place you can then begin to develop a strategy and create a plan to measure your outcomes.
If your wanting to find out more about content marketing, you can find Lucy’s directory here.
To ensure the International Documentation Team can continue to provide customers with a good level of service, should the situation with Coronavirus (COVID-19) worsen, Norfolk Chambers are putting a contingency plan in place which will minimise disruption.
Julie Austin, International Trade Manager said, “In the event that the Government progress the country to the ‘delay’ phase, we are strongly advising all customers to use our electronic platform – e-zCert. This will ensure almost all physical interactions between customers and our documentation team are eliminated but that documents can still be obtained quickly and easily.”
Customers can apply for their documents through the system by: 1. Selecting which document you are applying for 2. Filling in each required box with information verifiable from your back-up 3. Uploading appropriate back-up documents to evidence information stated on the form 4. The document is then checked by us to ensure it contains all required information and matches the back-up provided by you 5. If everything is in order the document is then approved by us and returned to you via the system
The ‘Express’ function of our system enables documents to be printed at customers’ premises. Blank forms can be purchased by customers in packs of 10 and the documents are applied for, checked, and approved through e-zCert.
For all customers using the e-zCert system for the first time we offer a free checking service to ensure they are confident when using it for documentation. If you would like to move across to the new system we highly recommend registering and familiarising yourself with it prior to any escalation of the COVID-19 situation.
You can find up-to-date advice from the Government here, advice from ACAS here, and resources from Public Health England to display at your workplace here.
If you have any questions about the e-zCert system or our international documentation services please get in touch with Julie Austin, International Trade Manager on 01603 729706 or at [email protected]
Businesses must play their part to help limit the spread of Coronavirus.
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech last night, Chris Sargisson, CEO of Norfolk Chambers Said:
“As the UK goes into lockdown, ministers must be crystal-clear about which businesses can continue to operate, and those which must now shut their doors.
“The new restrictions make it all the more important that the package of financial support announced by ministers last week is delivered to firms and employees on the ground as quickly as possible.”
Millions of self-employed individuals will receive direct cash grants though a UK-wide scheme to help them during the coronavirus outbreak, the Chancellor announced today.
In the latest step to protect individuals and businesses, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak has set out plans that will see the self-employed receive up to £2,500 per month in grants for at least 3 months.
Millions of people across the UK could benefit from the new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, with those eligible receiving a cash grant worth 80% of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years. This covers 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.
Cleaners, plumbers, electricians, musicians, hairdressers and many other self-employed people who are eligible for the new scheme will be able to apply directly to HMRC for the taxable grant, using a simple online form, with the cash being paid directly into people’s bank account.
The scheme will be open to those with a trading profit of less than £50,000 in 2018-19 or an average trading profit of less than £50,000 from 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. To qualify, more than half of their income in these periods must come from self-employment.
To minimise fraud, only those who are already in self-employment and meet the above conditions will be eligible to apply. HMRC will identify eligible taxpayers and contact them directly with guidance on how to apply.
Individuals should not contact HMRC now. HMRC will use existing information to check potential eligibility and invite applications once the scheme is operational.
Energy bills remain a top business concern, as many face a drastic reduction in their support
Energy market for businesses must be reformed to protect firms and correct market failures
Firms are facinga further financial squeeze, with corporation tax, living wage and business rates all changing from April 1st
As businesses face an 85% decrease in energy support from tomorrow, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has highlighted the need for an energysupport contingency plan, and is calling for increased, targeted help for firms who desperately need it.
The Chambers are also calling on Government to increase Ofgem’s power to strengthen protection for businesses in the energy market.
Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive at the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, said:
“We have been signalling for months that many Norfolk businesses will struggle toafford their energy billswhenfinancial assistance reduces by 85%, with many receiving a fraction of their original support. Almost half (47%) of firms say paying bills will be difficult from tomorrow onwards.
“But of the seven energy policies we advocated for the Government to include in this month’s Spring Budget, not one was acted upon.
“Flexibility to increase support for those who desperately need it – ignored. Easing the burden of claiming VAT on energy – ignored. Funding for improved business energy efficiency – ignored. And so the list goes on.
“Government also failed to heed our calls to increase regulation of the business energy sector. The energy crisis faced by firms and households are two sides of the same coin. Yet, non-domestic customers do not enjoy the same protection as households.
“To ensure competition in the business energy sector, and solve market failures, Government must ensure Ofgem has the necessary powers to properly regulate the industry. We are also asking Ofgem and Government to introduce a ‘duty to supply’ mechanism to the non-domestic energy market, to ensure businesses can access fixed rates, providing them with certainty and stability.
“Along with the reduction in energy support, businesses are facing several other changes in the business environment from tomorrow. Corporation tax is increasing, as is the national living wage, while a number of firms will see their business rates change due torevaluations.
“These changes will have a significant impact, but Government is yet to offer any meaningful support to offset the challenges currently facing so many UK businesses.”
The Kickstart Scheme is aimed at 16 to 24 year olds, on Universal Credit and registered with a work coach, who may find it more challenging to access the world of work. The scheme provides 6 month placements, at 25 hours per week at minimum wage (dependant on age) – although the employer can offer more hours and cover the additional cost. The total grant available from the scheme is £6,500, which pays for the wages and the on-costs such as NI etc.
In addition, there is a further £1,500 payable to the employers for them to provide wrap-around employability support – this can be either in-house or the employer can pay for the support to be delivered. Whichever way, you will need to be able to evidence what the support is and the impact/benefits to the employee. Norfolk Chambers is currently talking to various training providers and others about a suite of support options to make it easier for the employers to provide the wrap-around employability support.
To qualify for a Kickstart placement – the business must be able to demonstrate that this role is additional. The placement is for 6 months, at the end of that period, you can either take that person on, apply for an apprenticeship or replace them with another placement for a further 6 months.
As a Kickstart Scheme Gateway, we can support local businesses to apply for Kickstart funding. The Norfolk Chambers will gather the information needed to submit an online application and if your application is approved, assist you with the process, provide guidance and pass on the relevant payments made by the DWP to you, the employer.
If your business wishes to take part in this scheme, you will need to advise how many placements and the type of placement. To apply, please complete the below application form.
We will submit the cohort to the DWP and notify you of the submission day. The DWP are quoting up to 30 days for a response on the cohort applications.
If your application is successful, a grant funding agreement will be issued and you must return the signed funding agreement and provide a detailed job description for the position. Candidates via the DWP will then apply for the job placements and you can choose who to employ. Please note, you will only obtain funding if you appoint a young person that DWP have introduced.
For more information on what happens following the submission of the cohort to DWP – click here.
If you have any questions on the Kickstart Scheme, or need help completing the application form, please contact:
Take a look at guidance for UK businesses from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) which sets out the details and eligibility criteria for two funding schemes:
(This was updated yesterday and applies only to England)
VAT Deferral
Last week the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that there will be a deferral of VAT due to be paid between 20 March 2020 until 30 June 2020 (see link below).
This essentially means that businesses will automatically qualify to defer payment of the VAT due on their VAT returns for the VAT periods ending February, March or April 2020 until 31/3/2021, although VAT refunds and reclaims will be paid by HMRC as usual.