Chamber News

As the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) publishes statistics that show two-in-five businesses are more concerned about business rates than three months ago, the business group renews its call for action in the Spring Budget this week to ease the burden of rates and bring about fundamental reform to the system.

New interim statistics from the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey, based on the responses of over 900 companies, show that 39% of businesses are more concerned about business rates than three months ago, second only to those reporting higher concern around exchange rates (42%) than three months ago.

The results show that it is small businesses who are most worried about the burden of business rates, with one-in-two (50%) saying it’s of greater concern, the highest of any factor.

The business group is calling for the Chancellor to use his Spring Budget to support long-term investment and growth by taking action on this upfront costs which hits businesses unfairly, and irrespective of their economic health or circumstances. 

BCC seeks four key measures on business rates from the Spring Budget:

• Abandon the fiscal neutrality principle in business rates reform – an unacceptable barrier to fundamental reform of the business rates system that is unique to that tax. This would allow the government to help those firms most affected by the revaluation.
• Drop proposals that would restrict the ability of the Valuation Tribunal for England to order changes to business rates liabilities – ensuring businesses access to justice and fairness.
• Bring forward the switch from RPI to CPI, currently planned for April 2020, to April 2017 – limiting annual increases starting more swiftly.
• Longer term, remove all plant and machinery from the valuation of property for business rates purposes.

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“The concerns of Norfolk businesses, with regard to business rates is rising.  Norfolk Chamber would call on the Chancellor to take urgent action in the Budget this week. The UK had the highest business property taxes in the developed world even before the recent revaluation – hammering firms in our region with sky-high costs before they turn over a single pound. This undermines business investment, which in 2016, fell for the first time in seven years.”

Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

 “As the new bills kick in from April 1st, many will see this situation get worse with some facing double, even triple-digit growth in the amount they must pay. Businesses face a tipping point: with rates rising for many and the combined costs of currency depreciation, the new National Living Wage, Pensions auto-enrolment and rising energy prices – urgent action is needed to reduce the upfront costs of doing business.

“In the short-term, the Government must provide additional relief to the firms hit hardest by rates and re-visit the detail of reform to the appeals system. It should bring forward the change from RPI to CPI this year.

“In the longer-term, fundamental change is needed, including stripping plant and machinery from rates assessments that does so much to discourage business investment.”

The latest edition of Norfolk Voice is out now, including interviews with Andrew Paine, Head of Offshore Wind Development UK, Vattenfall and David McQuade, Chief Executive, Flagship Housing.

We also have two features dedicated to Norfolk infrastructure and Apprenticeships.

Read it online here.

A delegation from Norfolk Chamber were in attendance at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Annual Conference at the QEII centre in London this week.

Following an opening speech by Francis Martin, the President of the British Chambers, a video montage from the Chief Executives from across the regional Chambers was shown.  It outlined the differences being made locally and helped to articulate how the work the Chambers do locally is collectively contributing to the national economic picture.

Unsurprisingly, Brexit was a re-occurring theme throughout the conference agenda, with the questions from the UK press and media coming in thick and fast amongst the questions from the business audience.

Director General of the BCC, Adam Marshall outlined how he saw an army of civic minded businesses driving prosperity through the process of Brexit.  And that those businesses felt that an ambitious domestic agenda mattered equally as much as any Brexit deal.  He also noted that young people place faith in the transformational power of business and will respect those businesses with civic impact, who can invest in manufacturing and innovation and technology to help support the needs driving modern day society.

One of the panel debates discussed how to grow business in the regions.  Panelists included George Osborne MP, and Andy Burnham MP, the candidate for the Mayoral election in Manchester, as well as Vincent De Rivaz, CEO of EDF Energy.  They debated Devolution, City Deals and the need to transfer power to local regions and what the outcomes of that may be.    All agreed that the regions would benefit from power becoming less centralised, but gave a warning that the real competition for the UK was from outside of our shores and there needed to be commitment from all regions to compete as one nation. 

Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, reiterated how important information and feedback from Chamber members was in providing input into the Industrial Strategy.  “There is no substitute for talking to people, the diversity of connection, challenge and opportunities means everything to those who make policy.”  He went on to invite all UK Chambers to participate in the development of sectoral groups for the Industrial Strategy, saying “local knowledge is irreplaceable and essential.”

The highlight speech of the conference came from Boris Johnson, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.  He opened with analogies about pineapples and closed with haggis and pineapple jam!  His point being that the UK needed to reclaim globalisation.  Historically the UK is the most global of all the developed economies, with the links and friends being created over centuries of being a globally trading nation.  On the subject of the UK in relation to the EU, Mr Johnson said “the UK is the flying buttress supporting the cathedral – UK trade has raised everyone’s standards and there remains opportunities within the EU.”  He went on to say that “the UK should think global to be a safer, more successful and prosperous Great Britain.”

Commenting on the BEIS Committee’s report on Industrial Strategy published today (Friday), Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“A clear, ambitious mission – and the untapped potential of our towns, cities and counties – need to sit at the heart of the Industrial Strategy.

“We need to decide our top economic and social goals as a nation, and develop a strategy that allows us to deliver these missions. At the same time, we must galvanise business communities all across the UK, so every area can leverage its competitive strengths and make a strong contribution to economic growth and prosperity.

“I applaud the BEIS Committee for recognising that mission and place are crucial to the success of Industrial Strategy. Business communities across the UK will now wish to see government adopt many of these recommendations as it works to bring the industrial strategy to life.”

On the Committee’s recommendation of a fundamental review of Business Rates, where the BCC has been campaigning for radical change, Marshall added:

“Business rates hammer firms with significant, volatile, up-front costs before they turn over a single pound. They are a barrier to achieving an ambitious Industrial Strategy, because they stop many firms from investing in their own productivity and growth. The Committee’s recommendation of a fundamental review of the business rates system is one we have made for years – and it’s time for action.”

Also commenting on the Industrial Strategy, Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for the Norfolk Chamber said:

“Now is the time for the Norfolk business community to highlight the strengths and opportunities of our region.  We have a world-leading life sciences research base; advance engineering and innovation centres; a strong energy coast; and emerging ICT and digital sector;  as well as many thriving traditional sectors – thi is our opportunity to ensure that Westminster clearly understands the economic potential and growth in our ‘place’.”

Businesses can still feed into the BEIS consultation until 17 April – have your say now.

The first British Business Centre in Malaysia (BBCiM) is now open for business dedicated to British companies seeking to establish a physical presence in Malaysia.

The BBCiM is a newly developed facility managed by the BMCC which offers incubation services and 24 hours secure access to co-working space for British companies seeking to launch physical operations in Malaysia. The business centre has fully furnished private offices, open desk units rented out on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis. Virtual office services are also available for UK companies who require a registered address in Malaysia.

The BBCiM is located on the same floor as the BMCC Executive Office at Wisma Selangor Dredging along Jalan Ampang, strategically across from the world famous Petronas Twin Towers in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

Tenants of the business centre will be granted membership privileges of the BMCC business community with unique access to Chamber business support services, preferential introductions and networking opportunities. For more info, visit www.bmcc.org.my or email to [email protected]

On Tuesday 28th February, over 35 delegates joined us to learn about business opportunities in Saudi Arabia at Holiday Inn Norwich. The venue provided a spacious setting where delegates were able to network over tea & coffee, followed by 3 presentations from expert speakers discussing the key areas of trade in Saudi Arabia. Norfolk Chamber’s International Trade Manager, Julie Austin welcomed delegates to the event, introducing our first speaker Chris Innes-Hopkins, UK Executive Director, Saudi British Joint Business Council.    Next up we had Eisa S Alothman, Managing Director, Project Facilitators & Services Company Ltd who covered cultural awareness for Saudi Arabia. Eisa gave an enlightening talk, reviewing the difference between gender culture.    We then took a short break and treated delegates to tea and cake to help them process the information just received.   The second half of the event resumed with a presentation from Phil Ball, Director of Trade Sales, Barclays Trade and Working Capital, Corporate Banking Origination. Phil covered the financial aspects to trading in Saudi Arabia.    Our International Trade Manager Julie also gave a short presentation on how we can help your business to expand overseas. If you would like any more information on how we can help, please visit our International Page or contact the team: T: 01603 729715 E: [email protected]   We closed the event with a Q&A session, after which, many delegates took this opportunity to talk further with the speakers and get in some final networking to make those all-important contacts.     View the presentation from the event below:    

Doing Business in Saudi Arabia from Samantha Brown

A new guide aims to help businesses understand the UK’s trade prospects in a post-Brexit world.

Produced by Clifford Chance and the CBI, The Future of Trade for the UK – a Guide for Businesses (available here) claims to provide firms with tools they can use to analyse the impact of Brexit.

The guide assesses a number of scenarios for the UK leaving the EU and their potential impact on businesses, including negotiations on a long-term UK-EU agreement, World Trade Organization (WTO) and third country free trade agreements (FTAs), and interim arrangements.

Around 85% of the UK’s trade is either with EU Member States or with countries which benefit from preferential trade arrangements with the EU, the report highlights.

With many companies likely to be facing unfamiliar and complex trade rules after Brexit, the guide offers advice to help them identify and prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

One of the main issues identified is the impact of Brexit on supply chains.

Jessica Gladstone of Clifford Chance warned that the changes to come will not just affect big UK businesses that export to the EU or through the EU’s current trade links.

For example, she explained, any UK or EU-27 manufacturer that is part of a complex EU supply chain could be at risk because of the way FTAs work.

There are two important steps that firms can take to address such challenges, Ms Gladstone has suggested. The first is to understand the issues and how they could affect a particular business and sector; the second is to lobby the Government, to ensure that it understands what businesses need from the forthcoming negotiations.

In the words of the report: “Business and Government must communicate effectively and work together to ensure the UK’s future trading arrangements promote business, jobs and growth.”

An influential Parliamentary Committee has launched an inquiry into support for exports and investment, building on an investigation last year into “Exports and the role of UKTI”.

Chairman of the International Trade Committee, Angus MacNeil, explained: “Before the Department for International Trade (DIT) was created, our colleagues on what was then the Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Committee did some excellent work scrutinising the role of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).”

As UKTI has now been absorbed into the DIT, he went on, the Committee wants to find out how these new arrangements have affected its performance given that evidence was found of significant flaws in UKTI’s previous operating model.

Interested organisations or individuals are being invited to submit written evidence to the Committee by 5pm on 8 March 2017.

In particular, it will examine whether International Trade and Investment (ITI, formerly UKTI) and UK Export Finance (UKEF) have improved on their performance since the BIS Committee inquiry in 2016.

In the light of the Secretary of State’s admission that the £1 trillion export target will not be met, the Committee also wants to know if the Department’s export and investment targets are transparent, appropriate and achievable.

Evidence can be submitted through the inquiry page at www.parliament.uk.

“This is a time of great uncertainty for UK exporters of all sizes,” Mr MacNeil concluded. “It is vital that they get the right support.”

As the Chamber Network gathers in Westminster for the BCC Annual Conference, the British Chambers of Commerce has today (Tuesday) published a business blueprint for the UK government ahead of the upcoming Brexit negotiations.

Titled Business Brexit Priorities, the report synthesizes feedback from over 400 businesses at 16 Chamber-hosted focus groups, along with nearly 20,000 responses to Chamber surveys. It puts forward priorities for action across seven key areas where business communities want practical solutions and certainty.

BCC evidence confirms that Europe will remain a key market for UK exporters and importers well into the future. As a consequence, it is imperative that the government achieves a pragmatic UK-EU deal that facilitates continued trade.

The key recommendations in the report are:

• On the Labour Market, the government should provide certainty for businesses on the residence rights of their existing EU workers, provide clarity on hiring from EU countries during the negotiation period, and avoid expensive and bureaucratic processes for post-Brexit hires from the EU
• On Trade, the government should aim to minimise tariffs, seek to avoid costly non-tariff barriers, grandfather existing EU free trade agreements with third countries, and expand the trade mission programme
• On Customs, the government should develop future customs procedures at the UK border in partnership with business, seek to maintain the UK’s position as an entry point for global businesses to Europe
• On Tax, the government should guarantee that HMRC is appropriately resourced to help businesses through the transition process, and provide clarity on whether VAT legislation will continue to mirror current core VAT principles
• On Regulation, the government should ensure stability by incorporating existing EU regulations into UK law and maintaining these for a minimum period following Brexit, and ensure that product standards are aligned with, and recognised by, the EU to keep UK products competitive
• On EU funding, the government should maintain UK access to the European Investment Bank, and ensure there is no funding ‘cliff-edge’ for areas in receipt of EU funding
• On Northern Ireland, the government must avoid any return to a hard border, so that businesses can move people and goods as freely as possible.

Commenting on the report, Julie Austin, International Trade Manager for Norfolk Chamber, said:

 “Business communities across Norfolk and the UK want practical considerations, not ideology or politics, at the heart of the government’s approach to Brexit negotiations.

“What’s debated in Westminster often isn’t what matters for most businesses. Most firms care little about the exact process for triggering Article 50, but they care a lot about an unexpected VAT hit to their cash flow, sudden changes to regulation, the inability to recruit the right people for the job, or if their products are stopped by customs authorities at the border. The everyday nitty-gritty of doing business across borders must be front and centre in the negotiation process.”

Also commenting on the report, Adam Marshall, BCC Director General, said:

“What’s also clear is that the eventual Brexit deal is far from the only thing on the minds of the UK’s business communities. An ambitious domestic agenda for business and the economy is also essential so that business can drive our post-Brexit success. Firms across the UK want a clear assurance that Brexit isn’t going to be the only thing on the government’s economic agenda for the next few years.” 

Marcus Mason, Head of Business at the BCC, and author of the report, added:

“Since the historic vote on June 23, we have worked with Chamber business communities all across the UK to determine their key priorities for the Brexit transition.

“This report brings those practical priorities together and urges the government to adopt them in the forthcoming negotiations. Chambers of Commerce stand ready to help the government shape a pragmatic and practical approach to the coming transition, so that firms can continue to trade successfully with customers and suppliers across Europe and around the world.”

A Chamber survey last year identified that 67% of education leaders recognise the need for better careers information.   Norfolk Chamber is continuing its work to help bridge the gap between young people and business and is working with several Norfolk schools to deliver careers events in the coming weeks.

We need support from the Norfolk business community to make these careers events a success and help the student become more ‘work ready’.    If you can spare a few of hours of your time to attend and support the careers event – you could potentially be helping your future workforce.

Please click on the links below to find out how you can get involved and to register your interest/attendance at our careers events:

Tues, 14 Mar 2017       Attleborough Academy: 8.30am – 1pm    

Wed, 22 Mar 2017        Flegg High School: 8.30am – 1.30pm        

Thurs, 11 May 2017      Thetford Academy: 12.30pm – 15.45pm             

Mon, 03 July 2017         Wymondham Academy: 9.30am – 1.30pm              

Temporary traffic lights will be in use on the A140 Cromer Road north of the B1149 Holt Road roundabout for up to one week from Monday 27 February to allow National Grid to continue gas main diversions that will enable construction of the major junction between the A140 and Norwich Northern Distributor Road.

Where possible, the lights will be suspended during peak hours. If this is not possible, they will be manually controlled to minimise the impact on traffic. Norfolk County Council apologises for any inconvenience.

The Ministry of Supply in Egypt is planning to import some food products and is seeking quotations from British companies who could export such products to Egypt. 

The request includes the following items :

• Broad Beans ( dried beans -Fava beans-shipped in sacks) : amount of  490, 000 tonnes per annum
• Lentils : amount of 300,000  tonnes per annum
• Frozen Halal Meat : amount of 48,000 tonnes per annum
• Frozen Halal Poultry : amount of 60,000 tonnes per annum

If you are interested in providing a quotation for this amazing opportunity, please email us and we will pass your details on.