The National Infrastructure Commission has issued a Call for Evidence on improving the infrastructure supporting the UK’s freight networks.
The Chancellor has asked the National Infrastructure Commission to conduct a study into the role that freight plays in the economy and identify how future infrastructure investments can support better freight connectivity and reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.
What are the key constraints to the effective and efficient movement of freight in the Norfolk and the rest of the UK and how do we overcome them?
How might the demand for freight develop and change over the next 20-30 years?
What effect does congestion have on the efficiency of freight movements and emissions?
How can freight reduce its carbon and air quality impacts?
How could new technologies increase the efficiency and productivity of Norfolk and the rest of the UK freight?
What international experiences can the UK learn from to improve freight and reduce its carbon footprint
An interim report in the autumn will assess the economic impact of a more efficient, low-carbon freight sector and solutions to achieve that. A final report in 2019 will recommend changes in infrastructure planning and investment to meet the UK’s freight needs over the next 30 years.
The deadline for submitting your views and comments is Monday 5 March 2018.
Commenting on the labour market figures for January 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The rise in employment and continued decline in unemployment is further evidence that the UK labour market remains a key source of strength for the UK economy.
“It is possible that UK labour market conditions may cool over the next year, as sluggish economic growth and Brexit uncertainty take their toll on firm’s recruitment intentions. However, we expect that while the UK unemployment rate will drift up to a peak of 4.7% this year, it will remain significantly below the long-run average.
“The continued rise in the number of vacancies to a new record high is further evidence that skills shortages are at critical levels. The BCC’s own Quarterly Economic Survey confirms that the growing skills gap is a major drag on business activity, hitting investment and productivity.
“While it is encouraging that regular earnings growth picked up slightly, subdued economic conditions are likely to weigh on wage growth over the next year. As a consequence, pay growth is likely to remain stubbornly below price growth over the near term, dampening consumer spending, a key driver of UK GDP growth.
“More must be done to close the UK’s skills gap, including easing upfront business costs to help firms recruit and train staff, and deliver a future immigration regime that supports the needs of the UK economy.”
As you will be aware, a winding-up order was made against Carillion Plc on Monday 15th January, and the court appointed the Official Receiver as the liquidator. The collapse of Carillion raises challenges across a number of areas, from system-wide impacts on the availability of finance; the status of contracts where Carillion was a partner in joint ventures; the future of its employees and those of its sub-contractors; and monies owed to companies in the supply chain.
Commenting on the collapse, Jonathan Cage, Managing Director of Create Consulting Engineers, President of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Chamber’s Planning and Development Group said:
“With Carillion being the UK’s second largest construction company, the news will send shockwaves throughout the construction sector. It is essential that government acts to ensure that the collapse of this construction giant does not significantly impact the supply chain and that support is given to many of the SMEs that make up this complex structure.
“Infrastructure investment is essential for the future success of the country especially during Brexit and situations like this will materially set back the delivery of this investment if immediate financial support is not provided. It is not right that many companies will no doubt face major financial right offs due to miss management of this major firm, at a time when UK Plc needs its construction industry to be confident and efficient.”
PwC have been appointed as Special Advisors to the Official Receiver and they have published a webpage with further official information for employees, customers, suppliers and other parties.
We have four GDPR experts joining us from a variety of sectors at the morning conference that will highlight the key issues facing businesses when the General Data Protection Regulation act takes effect in May 2018.
Our speakers will endeavour to diffuse any confusion or nerves surrounding the act, which is set to alter how businesses operate and communicate with both their current and potential customers, in order to make sure you know the steps you’ll need to carry out to comply with the new regulations.
We have Alex Saunders joining us from Leathes Prior who will focus on the legal framework of the regulations, providing a brief bulletin of the key steps businesses to take, particularly focusing on how to acquire consent from your customers to hold their data.
Emily Marchant, a marketing professional from Selesti will address the challenges of marketing out to customers but also how it should be considered an opportunity to be creative with communicating with customers.
We will also be hearing from Darren Chapman from Cyberscale. Darren is a Cyber Security expert and will be cover the practical steps businesses need to take in order to ensure they are compliant with GDPR principles, stressing the importance of a robust Cyber Security strategy.
Speaking on behalf of Breakwater IT, John Gostling will explore how to ensure any data a business holds is stored securely in order to prevent a breach which could put customer data at risk.
For more information on any of our speakers, please click here to go to the event page on our website.
Join us to hear from these expert speakers and to network with fellow Norfolk businesses who will be coming together at the Space, Norwich on Tuesday 13th March to discuss all things GDPR. Click here to book your place. If you are interesting in having an exhibition stand at the conference please email [email protected] to discuss.
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.