Trade statistics show that UK businesses are missing out on duty waivers for their customers, negotiated by the UK Government in over 70 trade deals. Rules of Origin (RoO) can be complex, so join us to understand how to benefit from trade deal preferences, how to be more profitable and how to make your exports even more competitive.
This webinar is co-hosted with the DIT Export Support Service (ESS) who have been working across government departments to make RoO as easy to navigate as possible, despite their inherent complexities. HMRC RoO experts will offer their expertise in a Q&A session and attendees will have a chance to seek clarity on any pain points they might be encountering.
DIT Export Champions will share their personal experience with RoO during their export journeys. This is an opportunity for you to hear from other businesses on the tangible benefits that come from taking advantage of RoO preferences.
Finally, ESS will be there to signpost attendees to new business resources and explain how they can be fully utilised.
Nova Fairbank, Chief Executive | Norfolk Chambers of Commerce
“We are so pleased to welcome such an experienced and knowledgeable group of business and education leaders to our LSIP Board. The LSIP is a fantastic opportunity to bring employers and providers closer together and, through greater collaboration, make a difference to the local skills agenda for Norfolk and Suffolk.”
John Dugmore, Chief Executive | Suffolk Chambers of Commerce
“Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has been involved in shaping the LSIP programme for nearly two years, so this first Norfolk & Suffolk LSIP board meeting represents an important milestone in embedding the business voice into future skills planning cross the two counties.”
Dean Pierpoint, Project Manager | Norfolk Chambers of Commerce
“After many weeks of planning and discussion it was great to get the first Board meeting in the diary. I am sure with the breadth of knowledge on skills from education providers and public sector organisations as well as input from the business community we will be able to shape the local skills improvement plan to have a positive effect on the skills landscape in the region. The team are now looking forward to engaging with the business community for their views on skills!”
Reacting to the ONS Trade figures for November, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:
“UK trade performance improved in November, led by a 6.1% increase in goods imports (adjusted for inflation). Goods exports also picked up, rising by 1.7%, but concerns about the impact of the Brexit deal continue – due to a 1.2% fall in goods exports to the EU.
“Early estimates of trade in services in November showed a flat picture – with exports down by 0.2%, and imports by 0.6%, adjusted for inflation.
“Looking at a comparison over the three months to the end of November with the three months to the end of August, goods exports to the EU were 4.9% lower over that period.
“While the UK did better than its peers in overall trade in November, the Export Strategy needs to deliver in 2023 given the global economic headwinds UK goods and services exports are currently facing.”
Detailed analysis of data:
Goods Imports
In November 2022, UK goods imports rose by 6.1% after removing effects of inflation (values were 3.5% less before this removal). The rise in goods imports from the EU was led by higher machinery and transport equipment imports (ship imports from Finland were particularly noteworthy). Non-EU goods imports were boosted by higher sales of cars from China and aircraft from the US. Fuel imports from Qatar and Norway continued to fall in November.
Goods Exports
Falls in EU goods exports values were driven by lower sales of fuels for the fourth consecutive month. The rise in non-EU goods export values was largely down to increases in machinery and transport equipment sales, including aircraft to Qatar and motor vehicles to the US and China.
Services
On services, excluding inflation, imports fell to £17.8bn in November and exports to £29.5bn – a reduction of 0.6% and 0.2% respectively from October.
Three-month trend
Looking at the 3 months to the end of November, total UK goods imports from both the EU and outside the EU fell by 3.2%, compared with the 3 months to end of August. The fall in EU goods exports over that period was 4.9%. Over the same timescale overall goods exports fell by 1.5%.
The services picture was better with a rise of 2.0% in exports over that period offset by a 1.2% decline in imports. Total trade values over that period increased by 0.3% in exports but were 2.6% lower in imports.
Trade Deficit
Excluding inflationary factors, the total trade deficit narrowed by £3.8bn in the three months to the end of November.
Reacting to the latest ONS Labour Market figures, Nova Fairbank, CEO of Norfolk Chambers, said:
“Today’s figures will come as no surprise to businesses across Norfolk and the rest of the UK who are desperately trying to fill record numbers of vacant roles.
“With over 1.16 million UK job vacancies, businesses are still experiencing a relentlessly tight labour market. If firms can’t hire the staff to fulfil their order books, any room for growth is extremely limited.
“Government is heading in the right direction with its plans to help bring economically inactive workers back into the labour force, especially older workers who left in their droves when lockdown ended.
“But we need to see more action. There must be carefully tailored careers advice, job seeker support and rapid re-training opportunities to help employers harness the skills and experience of older workers.
“Businesses also need to play their part, by engaging with local skills and employment opportunities, adopting flexible working policies where possible and helping older workers develop their skills for the changing workforce.
“Finally, Government must hear our calls to urgently reform the Shortage Occupation List to help businesses fill urgent job vacancies when they cannot recruit locally. The List should include job roles below RQF Level 3 for sectors where there is clear evidence of a national shortage.
“The UK’s tight labour market is one of the top challenges preventing our businesses and economy from growing. It’s no use simply talking about growth if we are not prepared to take action on it.
“With an anaemic economy and low productivity, Government must take immediate steps to ease the considerable labour pressures on businesses – we can’t afford to wait any longer.”
To celebrate National Apprentice Week, we asked our Digital Marketing Apprentice Emma Jermany a few questions.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
I never wanted to go to university, but I knew I wanted a career in marketing so after looking into apprenticeships further I knew this was the right option for me. The main reason I chose to go down the apprenticeship route was due to the fact that I could learn on the job. Apprenticeships offer off-the-job learning which can be put into practice during your working day. By doing an apprenticeship it’s given me the opportunity to do the job I wanted without going to university. I am gaining first-hand experience in digital marketing as well as learning alongside it, something going to university would not have given me.
What are the benefits?
Going down the apprenticeship route helps you gain experience in the working world. An apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to earn a salary while learning a new skill, which is rewarded by a qualification at the end. Not only does an apprenticeship help progress your professional life but also your personal life.
Why would you recommend it to others?
An apprenticeship is a great option for those who know the career route they want to go down but don’t want to go to university. Apprenticeships not only help people start their careers but offer career progression with the option to take higher levels. If you want to gain a qualification, start your career, and earn a salary, then an apprenticeship is definitely worth looking into.
Returning on Friday 10th February, 1pm-4.30pm, The Big Debate is back bringing together local MPs and business leaders to influence change and give voice to Norfolk businesses.
The debate will be spilt into four main topics:
People, Skills & Wellbeing
Transport & Infrastructure
Net Zero & Sustainability
Cost of Living Crisis in Norfolk
This is your chance to put your questions directly to key decision makers, network with other businesses in Norfolk and be part of Norfolk Chambers flagship policy event that lets the voice of the Norfolk business community be heard.
Whilst questions will be coming in live from attendees, there is also the opportunity to submit any burning questions in advance of the event. If you would like to submit a question on any of the four topics, you may do so here: click here to submit questions
The Big Debate 2023 is sponsored by Greater Anglia and is open to members and non-members.
A new third river crossing will provide much needed connections between the strategic road network and the fast growing energy related Enterprise Zone and is crucial in providing linkages across the River Yare to the economic growth hub in the South Denes peninsula.
The river crossing would join Harfreys Roundabout in Great Yarmouth and over the river to South Denes Road. There has been extensive technical work carried out, including a best route alignment and cost benefit analysis. This route was adopted by Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet in 2010.
If our region is successful in securing funding, construction could start as early as 2021 and be completed by 2023.
A third river crossing would deliver numerous benefits to the area and solve a number of existing problems, including the current lack of connectivity, which severely restricts movement in Great Yarmouth. This results in congestion and ultimately limits the economic potential of the Enterprise Zone, Energy Park, South Denes Business Park and the deep water outer harbour.
Commenting on the release of the new prospectus, Neil Orford, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council said:
“The prospectus is another step forward in realising the potential of Great Yarmouth. A new crossing would not only reduce congestion and provide connections between the strategic road network and the fast growing energy related Enterprise Zone. It will also support regeneration in the town and help the visitor and retail economy by making shopping and tourism much more accessible.
Russian import duties on paper, refrigerators and palm oil exceeded those agreed when Russia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2012, the world trade body agreed last year in a case brought by the EU.
It argued that the illegal measures were severely hampering trade in important sectors. EU exports of the products concerned to Russia were worth some €600 million a year before the dispute was launched.
This week, Russia announced that it had lowered its import tariffs on the products concerned in a move described by the European Commission as a victory for multilateral trade rules.
Details of the Russian statement can be found at www.wto.org.
In response, the European Commission said: “This is only one of many successful cases brought by the EU to the WTO dispute settlement in the last years. EU legal action in the WTO also allowed it to improve the access of EU firms to raw materials sources in China and to remove Chinese extra duties on European steel tubes and X-ray scanners.”
Noting that effective enforcement of existing trade rules is one of the key points of the EU’s 2015 trade policy strategy Trade for All, the Commission said that it will continue to closely monitor the situation to ensure that WTO commitments are fully respected.
Commenting on the Office for National Statistics inflation figures for November 2022, BCC Head of Research, David Bharier, said:
“Today’s inflation rate of 10.7% may indicate we have passed the peak, but prices are now at a much higher level which will be felt for months to come.
“Our research shows that inflation remains by far and away the number one concern for businesses. Even if the rate of increase starts to slow, the damage to business confidence has been significant.
“With their margins left razor-thin, very few SMEs are planning to increase investment as they deal with a wall of higher energy bills, input costs, interest rates and taxation.
“Over half of SMEs tell us they will struggle to pay their electricity and gas bills after April. They will be nervously awaiting the Government’s expected announcement on the future shape and extent of any energy costs support, which will also impact inflation.
“Firms also need to see concrete action on infrastructure, skills, trade, and green tech to create the right environment to invest.”
Reacting to news of a proposed agreement on the Northern Ireland Protocol, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:
“The BCC has long been calling for a negotiated solution to the trading difficulties caused by the initial version of the protocol.
“Businesses in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain have been calling for a considerable reduction in checks and documentary requirements to move everyday goods across the Irish Sea. We will be closely considering the legal texts and their full implications, but this appears to be a positive step toward achieving this goal.
“The Green Lane proposalshould offer a green light to future prosperity in Northern Ireland.
“But more broadly businesses in the UK will welcome the potential for stabilising relations with the EU.
“There is now the potential to move to a new phase of co-operation on trade, regulation, climate, migration and supply chain issues.
“With the UK economy teetering on the cusp of a recession this could help drive growth for both Northern Ireland and the UK more widely.
“We hope the UK Government, EU member state governments, and the EU institutions will seize this opportunity to improve our relationships, cut costs and remove red tape for exporting businesses.”
Impact of industrial action on 1 February 2023 at UK ports and airports
You may have seen reports that up to 100,000 civil service members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union will be going on strike on Wednesday 1 February 2023. HMRC members will not be taking part, but the industrial action will include UK-based Home Office members, including Border Force staff.
The industrial action is likely to impact the movement of goods through UK ports and airports on 1 February 2023, as well as those travelling to the UK from UK Border controls in Calais, Dunkirk and Coquelles in Northern France. There may also be some disruption on the morning of 2 February 2023 as business returns to normal.
What you can do
If you are able to move goods outside of this period, then we would advise that you do so.
If you cannot delay your movements then please be aware that the industrial action could lead to disruption and delays at ports and Inland Border Facilities (IBF). You should be prepared for these delays and check with your operator before starting your movement.
You can also check IBF site availability online.
If you are planning to carry merchandise in baggage or more than £10,000 in cash and need to make a declaration
For merchandise in baggage under £1,500/1,000kg which does not contain licensed items, the simplest way to declare your goods is though the simplified online declaration form.
The simplest way to declare large amounts of cash is also online, following this guidance. If you cannot use the online service, the red point service at the port or airport will be operational during this period but it is possible you will experience some delays.
Today, some of the Chambers team were invited alongside business leaders to a tour of Westcotec’s recently renovated office and factory in Dereham.
The event kicked off at Barnham Broom at 10am with bacon rolls and a welcome from Managing Director, Chris Spinks.
Who are Westcotec and what do they do?
Westcotec has been at the forefront of the vehicle-activated sign industry since 2001. They have grown to become one of the biggest suppliers of quality vehicle-activated signs in the UK. At the heart of their growth, is a commitment to customer service.
In 2018, Westcotec became one of the first companies in East Anglia to become an employee-owned business, in which a trust oversees the business operation of the company, and the day-to-day operations are managed by the board of directors in place.
Following Chris’ welcome, a coach collected the attendees and they took a short ride to the Westcotec premises in Dereham. Splitting into two groups, short presentations from Olly Samways, Director of Sales, and Chris Spinks, MD was given before they had the chance to look around the factory and office, and network with the staff.
Amy Patterson, Marketing and Communications Manager at Norfolk Chambers said “It was fascinating to hear all the statistics of how these signs are savings people’s lives on the roads every single day. The evidence is clear that using educational signs to give drivers more knowledge is making a difference. The factory and office not only look great, but it is evident that a lot of thought has gone into every tiny detail, and always to benefit the staff. The culture at Westcotec is one that every business strives towards.”
Following the tour, the attendees returned to Barnham Broom via coach to finish the day with lunch and networking.
A big thanks to the whole Westcotec team for the event. We look forward to working with the team again to bring back the Bikers Breakfast on 12th May 2023.
