With a vibrant PowerPoint, Rachael Shakespeare of Jungle PR gave delegates an enthusiastic presentation on public relations. She taught the delegates what PR is, along with what it isn’t: giving them information such as how any PR, whether good or bad, is better than none, as well as how to utilise bad PR. Rachael also spoke on press releases, coverage and most importantly; what PR can do for a business. Emma Raines of Example Marketing said: “it was good to have the opportunity to ask questions of an expert. I was able to get practical tips by asking questions throughout and at the end of the session.” Rachael’s 3 top tips for great PR would be to “be organised and strategic with a PR plan”, to “not be afraid of bad PR and use it as an opportunity”, and also to “give journalists everything on a plate”.
For more information on the work Jungle PR do, visit www.junglepr.com Series 4 of the Chamber Sessions is available to book with new and returning speakers ready to share their knowledge with you. For more information, please click here.
HMRC have now published guidance to help employers make a claim when the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme claim portal goes live today Monday 20 April 2020 at 8am.
HMRC have produced this step by step guidance on how to make a claim. There is also a calculator to help you work out your claim. The system can process up to 450,000 applications per hour and employers should receive the money within 6 working days of making an application. To receive payment by 30 April, you will need to complete an application by 22 April. Please keep a note or print-out of your claim reference number as you won’t receive a confirmation SMS or email.
Commenting on news that applications are now open for the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said:
“The opening of the Job Retention scheme is an important milestone for Norfolk businesses, who can now begin to access the cash they need to pay their staff and protect livelihoods. We are recommending that employers take the time to read the guidance in advance and ensure their claim is as accurate as possible to ensure that their claim is processed quickly. Any errors in submission are likely to result in significant delays in payment.
“The government deserves credit for the speed, scale and flexibility of its response to the challenges facing our business communities. The focus should now be on delivering this support to firms on the ground.
“The British Chambers network research indicates that two-thirds of firms have furloughed some portion of their workforce. With April’s payday approaching, it is essential that the application process is smooth and that payments are made as soon as possible. Any delay would exacerbate the cash crisis many companies are facing and could threaten jobs and businesses.”
City of Norwich School are looking for businesses to get involved in their Careers Day on Wednesday 4th March.
During their whole school Careers Day CNS have various employability and careers workshops going on and they need employers to get involved to talk to students and offer real world experience.
Welcoming the Chancellor’s announcement of a Future Fund, supporting start-ups by delivering an initial commitment of £250m of new government funding which will be unlocked by private investment on a match funded basis, BCC Head of Economics Suren Thiru said:
“The Future Fund will help provide urgently needed support for many of our most innovative and fast-growing businesses around the UK, as we have urged.
“The fund fills an important gap in existing government support and could make a real difference to entrepreneurial firms navigating challenging circumstances. It’s crucial that this enhanced support reaches companies in difficulty as quickly as possible.”
Many of you will be applying to the government’s Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme online portal. Make sure you are prepared in advance with the required information:
Does your business have production capability and capacity to produce PPE during COVID-19?
Do you have existing PPE stock which could be used by frontline staff?
Please complete New Anglia LEP’s simple contact form with details of your stock / production capability. For any more information, please email [email protected].
Norfolk Chamber members are part of the fantastic response to pledge support for the Great Eastern Rail campaign. Over 500 pledges have been received since its launch on 25th July, representing an important milestone.
Norfolk business have joined with rail passengers and businesses across the region, calling on Government for greater investment in the Norwich to London rail line. In addition to pledging their support Norfolk Chamber members have also been making their reasons heard loud and clear
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: ” Improved rail infrastructure is key to enable Norfolk’s businesses to continue to drive the local economy forward. Norfolk Chamber members are passionate about their businesses and are joining the campaign to show how much they care. We would encourage all Norfolk businesses and their staff to click on the link and pledge their support. We are calling for a faster more reliable train service Norwich to London in 90 minutes, more seats and carriages and significant investment to upgrade the track.”
Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP and co-chairman of the Great Eastern Main Line Rail Taskforce, said: “500 pledges of support is a significant milestone in the campaign. This figure continues to rise and we’re delighted that so many people have signed up for the campaign in such a short space of time. However, we urge as many people as possible – rail users, business people and all those who want a better rail service across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk to join the campaign now, by signing up on through the New Anglia website. The Great Eastern Main Line is fundamental to the region’s future growth. Let’s make our voice heard loud and clear to influence Government and get the rail service the three counties need and deserve.
It will take only a few seconds, so the Norfolk Chamber encourages all its members and the wider business community to click on the link and pledge their support. It is all about timing and the time is NOW for this final push to show Government our passion and get the service we need and deserve. www.newanglia.co.uk/gerailcampaign
Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the vast majority of businesses surveyed have furloughed a proportion of their workforce, and are awaiting funds from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as payday approaches for many.
71% of survey respondents have furloughed staff, up from 66% last week
Cash flow remains a significant concern for many businesses – 6 in 10 have less than three months’ cash in reserve
The leading business organisation’s weekly tracker poll, which serves as a barometer of the pandemic’s impact on businesses and the effectiveness of government support measures, received 678 responses and is the largest independent survey of its kind in the UK. The fourth tranche of polling was conducted from 15-17 April.
Businesses furloughing employees
Results from the fourth weekly tracker show a steady increase in the proportion of respondents furloughing staff in anticipation of the Job Retention Scheme going live on Monday 20 April. This week, the tracker indicates that 71% of firms have furloughed a proportion of their staff, up from 66% last week.
30% said they have furloughed between 75% – 100% of their workforce.
28% have furloughed no staff.
Business continue to face a cash crisis, with 59% of firms reporting that they have three months cash in reserve or less. With payday approaching for many firms, the government’s Job Retention Scheme, which began accepting applications this week, has only a short time to get much-needed cash to firms facing urgent financial difficulties.
Initial reports suggest that the online application portal is meeting business demand, and attention will now shift to whether payments reach businesses as planned within 6 working days of making an application.
Commenting on the results, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:
“With around 140,000 claims made on the very first day, this is a crunch week for businesses relying on the Job Retention Scheme to pay their staff. Our research suggests that over 70% of businesses will be using the furlough scheme in some form, so it’s absolutely crucial that it delivers.
“HMRC’s capacity to deal with the demand from business has been encouraging so far – and their staff working under immense pressure to get it up and running deserve our recognition and thanks.
“It is now critical that payments from the furlough scheme reach businesses as smoothly and as quickly as possible in order to protect jobs and livelihoods.
“Ministers will also need to consider keeping the scheme in place for longer, to help businesses transition as the lockdown is eased and the economy moves gradually toward a new normal.”
Pilling Park Community Centre are running family sessions on Saturday 18th January to encourage STEM careers. Children will be building and programming Lego Mindstorms vehicles with their families to encourage them to consider Science Technology Engineering and Mathmatics careers.
They are looking for STEM professionals to talk about pathways and the diversity of careers. If you’d like to be involved please contact Neil Noble – [email protected]
Commenting on the latest UK Finance update on the number of firms successfully accessing CBILS, the British Chambers of Commerce’s Head of Economics Suren Thiru said:
“The increase in companies accessing CBILS is encouraging progress. However, the number of applications processed and approved will need to be increased significantly in what is a crunch week for firms urgently trying to access financial support.
“Our Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker tells us that a concerningly high number of businesses are still finding accessing the scheme too complex and too lengthy. The government and financial institutions must continue to work together to identify practical steps to improve the workings of the CBILS scheme to ensure that cash gets to the frontline as quickly as possible.”
Also commenting on the UK Finance update, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said:
“Whilst we welcome the increased take up of the scheme, we are aware of many Norfolk businesses still trying to access the funding and that many are still awaiting lending decisions. Businesses need access to funds now and the need for easier access and quick lending decisions is vital.”
The UK government has launched an employer referral portal allowing employers to refer essential workers for testing who are self-isolating either because they or member(s) of their household have Coronavirus symptoms. Take a look at the details and share with your members. Please note this is for England only – separate guidance has been issued in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Who can be tested?
The priority is on testing patients to inform their clinical diagnosis. In addition, testing is now being done for:
essential workers with symptoms
people who live with essential workers and have symptoms
This means essential workers can find out whether they have the virus, and can be helped to return to work if they test negative. Testing is most effective within 3 days of symptoms developing. See the full list of essential workers
At a recent meeting of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough (GCGP) LEP and business organisations, including Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, the discussions centred around the Growth Deal announcement. The GCGP had secured £21.4 million of funding for infrastructure projects such as the improvements of Junction 20 on the A47, to the north east of Peterborough, and various schemes that will bring forward business and enterprise in the regions covered by the GCGP LEP. Funding was also allocated for an extension to the Agri-tech funding scheme and the Growth Hub.
Graeme Nix, the Chair of GCGP LEP also took the opportunity to confirm that Neil Darwin from Opportunity Peterborough has been seconded to the GCGP LEP for one year with a remit to promote enterprise and skills, via the Growth Hub.
Nova Fairbank, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “It is really good to be able to join with the other business organisations, working in partnership with the GCGP LEP to improve economic growth in our region. However we were disappointed that no West Norfolk schemes were succesful in the first round of the Growth Deal and we look forward to continued involvement with the GCGP LEP to try to ensure that funding for West Norfolk projects are successful in the next round.”