Chamber News

Small business leaders are more likely to seek business advice from family and friends than they are to ask for help from a professional, according to a new survey.

The research carried out for Growth Vouchers – a Government programme that helps businesses towards the cost of professional advice in areas including finance and cash flow, management skills and sales & marketing – found that 81% of decision makers in the East of England have approached someone in their personal life for help, compared to 57% who have taken advice from a professional.

This is despite 37% of business leaders in the East of England saying they are most likely to trust guidance from a professional above other sources of advice.

Furthermore, 19% of small business leaders said they would gain from some form of professional advice, with sales and marketing reported as the area that most businesses think they would benefit from support in (35%). This is closely followed by making the most of digital technology, which 27% of business leaders said they would benefit from advice on.

Expense was highlighted as the most common reason why people do not seek professional business advice. Of the small business decision makers surveyed, 56% of those who have taken advice from friends and family said they did so because it was free; and 25% that haven’t taken professional advice felt that it is too expensive.

Other barriers to accessing professional advice were not having the time (reported by 21% of respondents) and not knowing how to access advice (reported by 11% of respondents)

Business Minister Matthew Hancock said: “Expert business advice is incredibly important for many of the UK’s smaller firms and helps make sure they reach their potential. We know professional advice can be costly and that there is a lot of choice out there, so we are simplifying the Government’s businesses support schemes to make it easier to find and access the right support at the right time. This is all part of our plan to make the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business.”

Shirley Gabriel, Growth Vouchers Adviser, Siz Marketing commented: “It’s great that our small businesses are talking about growth and development. They are a vital part of the East’s economy and, as they grow, they create jobs and benefit the community.

“I realise that small firms are unlikely to have huge budgets for professional business advice, but the Government’s Growth Voucher programme can help them bridge this gap and access the wide range of strategic support available. I’d urge all business owners in the East of England to consider applying for a Growth Voucher to help them take their business to the next level.”

Small businesses must be based in England and employ fewer than 250 staff in order to be eligible for a Growth Voucher worth up to £2,000 to cover half the cost of professional advice.

For more information on Growth Vouchers and how to apply, visit https://www.greatbusiness.gov.uk/growthvouchers/

Commenting on the announcement of a new Careers and Enterprise Company by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber, said:

“The gulf between the world of education and the world of work has never been wider, with far too many Norfolk firms saying that young people are unprepared for work due to inadequate careers advice.

“Nicky Morgan is absolutely right to be focusing the government’s attention – and real financial resources – on the critical transition from school to the workplace.

“However, business does not want to revert back to the old, tired form of careers advice in schools that served our young people so poorly for decades. The government’s Careers and Enterprise Company needs to focus on getting businesses into the heart of our schools, so that young people can make informed choices as they enter the world of work. Its investments should seek to ensure that all schools, not just a self-selected few, work hand-in-hand with local firms to inspire and inform young people about their career options.

“As a Chambers of Commerce we already play a pivotal role linking businesses with schools. The gap between education and business is wide, but we are committed to bringing them together – so that young people can aspire to great careers, and so that Norfolk firms can get the local talent they so desperately need.”

• Manufacturing output in October 2014 was down 0.7% on the month, but up 1.7% on the year
• Total industrial production in October 2014 was down 0.1%, but up 1.1% up on year

Commenting on the manufacturing and industrial figures published today by the ONS, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:

“The decline in manufacturing output is disappointing and larger than expected. Although longer term comparisons still show positive growth, the pace of expansion is clearly slowing. Manufacturing exporters in particular are facing difficult challenges, which have become more acute due to stagnation in the eurozone.

“While total UK GDP is now well above its pre-recession level, these latest figures show that industrial production output nationally has not yet recovered fully.

“Despite manufacturing accounting only for just over 10% of total UK output, the sector remains an important driver for economic growth, and is critical to securing a balanced UK recovery. In spite of the challenging international backdrop we are making every effort to ensure that enterprising manufacturing firms are given the tools to invest and export.

Today Norfolk Chamber are holding an event on how to ‘Expand into Hong Kong’ which is a major trading and financial hub in Asia. On 20th January we have a similar event concentrating on Nigeria which as of 2012 is the second largest market within Africa. There is significant support available to any Norfolk company who either wants to investigate exporting for the first time or would like to look at new overseas markets. A wealth of information aimed at exporters can be found on our intenational trade section.

Commenting on a new report titled ‘Avoiding the same old mistakes: Lessons for reform of 14-19 education in England’ published today by the IPPR, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said:

“The IPPR is right to call for greater employer engagement in education and for an improved vocational education and training system. This will help to ensure that young people are given the right technical and soft skills to secure a job and work their way up the ladder.

“The Chamber Network, which has both schools and further education colleges in our membership, is already playing a crucial role strengthening local connections to build sustainable relationships between education and business.

“The recent British Chamber of Commerce’s Workforce Survey 2014 ,which included many Norfolk members, found that many firms think young people are unprepared for work, with 76% citing lack of work experience as a key reason. However, more than half of businesses (52%) say they don’t offer work experience placements. I have never come across a business who is not passionate about helping Norfolk young people but there needs to be simple solutions in order for them to get started. N4J in which the Norfolk Chamber members have played a role, has already had a significant impact on youth unemployment but every young person not in work is a loss on a personal and economic level.

“In the BCC Business Manifesto 2014/15 a number of measures have been proposed to better prepare young people for work and to encourage companies to play a greater role in preparing the next generation of workers. In practice, this means introducing business governance into schools, proper careers advice with direct links to business, and measuring the success of schools and colleges based on the employment outcomes of pupils.

At the BCC Chambers CEO Round table last week in Harrogate we all agreed to share best practise on work we were doing in our local areas to support young people, under the Young Chamber brand, to enable the Chamber Network to really have an impact at a local level which is a very exciting new development”

Commenting on the Chancellor’s announcement in the Autumn Statement that employers’ National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 will be scrapped, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“Abolishing employers’ National Insurance for young apprentices will encourage many businesses to hire them, by reducing the costs of employment and additional training. Our research shows that 54% of firms say funding for training and support would encourage them to hire more young people, which is why we have called for increased financial support for employers hiring apprentices.”

Caroline also called for the government to consider introducing a taper to smooth the transistion for those employers who keep young people on beyond their apprenticeship, at which point the full National Insurance contributions would kick in.

The Broads was given the status of a national park in 1989, but for technical legal reasons has its own legislation rather than the 1949 Act which established national parks. The Broads Authority have now been given advice that the similarity between the Broads and the other 14 national parks in the UK is so great that it is now appropriate and legal for the Broads Authority to use the term ‘Broads National Park’ when promoting the area.

Attached a copy of the consultation document which asks three questions:

1. How do you feel about a more consistent use of the term the Broads National Park as a brand?
2. In what ways would you envisage your organisation using the term the Broads National Park?
3. Are there any specific actions the Broads Authority could take to support and help your organisation in using the Broads National Park brand?

There is an opportunity for the Norfolk business community in the bigger process of changing the perceptions of Norfolk and Suffolk to make the wider public more aware of how special the Broads really is. ‘National Park’ is an internationally recognised brand which we should capitalise on. So it would be great when arriving at Norwich railway station or the Norwich International Airport to have the sort of welcome to the Broads National Park, that East Midlands Airport has for the Peak District National Park.

What do you think? The Broads Authority need to hear from you on the above questions by Wednesday 31 December 2014.

Please return your responses and any comments to:

Chief Executive Broads Authority Yare House 62 – 64 Thorpe Road Norwich NR1 1RY

Commenting on the Autumn Statement, delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:

“Norfolk has already had positive news concerning the A47 and the Norwich in 90 campaign. When we met the Prime Minister this week we also identified the missing elements relating to our infrastructure which we will be looking for any future Government to address.

The Chancellor has used the last Autumn Statement to demonstrate that he is listening to and supporting British businesses across the country. By focusing on key business priorities, such as Britain’s broken business rates system and the difficulty of accessing finance for growth, the Chancellor has demonstrated that he is committed to solving problems that hinder the growth aspirations of many Norfolk firms.

“Businesses will be pleased that the Chancellor has committed the government to a fundamental review of business rates. This iniquitous tax is sapping good companies’ strength year after year, long before they make a single penny in profits. The review must deliver fundamental change to the business rates system. Tinkering at the edges is simply not acceptable when good companies have to scale back their growth ambitions because of out of control rates bills.

“The government has listened to our calls to improve conditions for business growth. However, the government must ensure that the positive proposals announced in the Autumn Statement do not get bogged down by short-term political thinking, Whitehall bureaucracy and trickle in the banking sector. We will be watching to ensure that the promises made become a reality.”

Commenting on the latest forecasts published by the Office for Budget Responsibility, published today in conjunction with the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

“The new forecast confirms our view that the UK economy will grow at a good pace this year. The 3.0% growth forecast for this year is realistic, but the speed with which the economy slows in the OBR forecast is disappointing. While some slowdown may be unavoidable in the face of global headwinds, particularly the eurozone, the UK should still be able to perform well in the next few years, as long as the right policies are pursued.

“On the public finances the OBR rightly acknowledged that the shortfall in the economy’s ability to generate tax receipts is not a temporary problem, but one that is likely to persist over the medium term. We support the Chancellor’s decision to tighten spending further, but not at the cost of business growth.”

ADDITIONAL COMMENT ON SPECIFIC MEASURES ANNOUNCED IN THE AUTUMN STATEMENT

ON BUSINESS RATES:

“Businesses will be encouraged by the government’s continued efforts to curb business rate increases. Firms will also be pleased to hear the Chancellor announce a review into the future structure of Britain’s business rates system. This iniquitous tax is the highest in Europe and a drag anchor on investment and growth.

“However, unlike previous attempts this review must deliver fundamental change to the business rates system. As called for in our Business Manifesto, businesses will not tolerate anything less than a full root and branch review. We look forward to working closely with the government to help reform Britain’s broken business rates system.”

ON ACCESS TO FINANCE:

“For too long young, high-growth firms and business that have a need for working capital have been frozen out of access to finance. The extension of the Funding for Lending scheme and Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme shows that the Chancellor is listening to businesses continued frustration with tight credit conditions. Still, much will depend on lenders’ appetite for risk. The success of this announcement will be measured by whether credit is flowing to small and medium-sized businesses.

“More must also be done to increase access to bond and equity markets for businesses of different sizes. We welcome additional funding to the business bank’s venture capital programme, but this must not result in entrepreneur involuntarily losing control of their businesses before they are able to grow to become mid-sized and should not be the only source of long term, patient capital.”

ON COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER REFORM:

“The existing approach to delivering infrastructure for the UK is unlikely to ensure that we meet the challenges in the years ahead – this has not been helped by the current compulsory purchase procedure.

“In our Autumn Statement submission we called on the Chancellor to increase compensation for people subject to compulsory purchase orders to make the system fairer and speed up the delivery of projects that help strengthen the economy.

“The government’s earlier announcement that the compensation scheme for compulsory purchases will be reviewed is welcome, but we await the full details.”

ON EXPORTS:

“It is encouraging to see the Chancellor announce much needed support for UK exporters. British firms need all the help they can get when looking to trade overseas and the announcement today will boost business confidence and help more companies break into new and emerging markets.

“While more still needs to be done, this announcement is reassurance from the government of the importance of driving export growth and rebalancing the economy over the months and years ahead. It is remains to be seen whether investing more in existing programmes will produce an increase in exports. “

ON APPRENTICESHIPS:

“Abolishing employer’s National Insurance for young apprentices will encourage many businesses to hire them, by reducing the costs of employment and additional training. Our research shows that 54% of firms say funding for training and support would encourage them to hire more young people, which is why we have called for increased financial support for employers hiring apprentices.

“However, some consideration must be made for companies who keep young people on beyond their apprenticeship, at which point full National Insurance Contributions would kick in. The government should consider introducing a taper to smooth this transition.”

ON AIR PASSENGER DUTY:

“While the government has taken steps to reform air passenger duty, they need to go much further to ensure that businesses are not put at a disadvantage when conducting business abroad. By establishing the true impact of air passenger duty on the economy, we will be able to determine if this tax should be significantly reduced or abolished.”

On the back of the news that Norfolk is to receive funding to start improvements to the A47, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber hosted a Chamber business leaders gathering with the Prime Minister, David Cameron.

The meeting gave Norfolk Chamber members the opportunity to explain the importance, not just on this being the first stage to the development of the A47 and the need for the dualling of the Acle Straight, but also the importance of improved mobile and broadband speeds. Other topics discussed were the A140, NDR, improved rail, membership of Europe and how infrastructure investment in Norfolk will support our young people.

The Prime Minister was left in no doubt that the business community were the ‘power house’ of the region and were willing to develop their businesses and create new jobs, provided they were given the tools to do so, which included improved infrastructure.

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said “It was great to have a robust and lively debate directly with the Prime Minister about the needs and wants of the Norfolk business community. The news today on the A47 is very welcome and a cause the Chamber network had been lobbying for over many years. This is just the beginning though, as we need a start date and discussions as to when other parts of the A47 will be dualled, especially the Acle Straight. We are now looking for good news relating to our lobbying with partners for a better rail service from the Chancellor later this week.”

On Friday 28 Novemberover 150 delegates joined the Norfolk Chamber for a morning of networking, a delicious breakfast and the chance to hear directly from a senior minister, whose name could only be released one week before the event due to security reason.

At the event the guest of honour Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills addressed local businesses and spoke on the Government’s industrial strategy and how it relates to Norfolk.

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber welcomed Vince Cable to the breakfast that provoked a round of applause from the whole room. Delegates enjoyed a full English breakfast while networking with like minded individuals on their table.

Ian Hacon, President of Norfolk Chamber stood up after breakfast and gave an insight into Norfolk giving a presentation on ‘the good, the bad and the still ugly’ in the region and what improvements still need to be made to help local business prosper.

Andrew Sinclair, Political Correspondent for BBC East introduced Vince Cable MP to speak on the industrial strategy, with the audience able quiz the minister in the Q&A Session.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Industrial Strategy is about government working in partnership with businesses to give them the confidence to invest. Together we are delivering the skills, infrastructure and research funding we need to create long-term prosperity. East Anglia has much to offer as a centre of manufacturing, agriculture and clean energy, and the Government wants to support the local companies that are creating jobs and driving growth.”

The event was a great success and we hope to bring you another senior minister to the region again soon.

Here is what some delegates thought:

Some photos from the day

Click to enlarge

View the full photo gallery on:

The October edition of the Norfolk Infrastructure Update has arrived! Below are highlighted some of the key points from this edition.

• Rail Improvements – Continue the high profile campaign to improve the Norwich-London route – working with Network Rail and the franchise holder, Greater Anglia – and push for improvements on Norwich-Cambridge and Cambridge-King’s Lynn services.
• Broadband – By autumn 2015, the ‘Better Broadband for Norfolk’ project seeks to achieve: a minimum speed of 2 megabits per second (Mbps) for all premises and ‘Superfast’ broadband (24Mbps+) for as many premises as possible.
• Abellio Greater Anglia has had its franchise extended to 2016. The process for the new, longer term franchise post-2016 is likely to be put underway soon by government.
• A47 – Promote the status of the A47 and secure funding for key junctions, a new river crossing in Great Yarmouth and other targeted improvements.
• Fiveways to Thetford improvement – Ongoing speed restriction of 40mph, 24 hrs per day between Fiveways roundabout at Barton Mills and London roundabout in Thetford.

To read the full report on the Norfolk Infrastructure Update, click here.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has scooped another opportunity for the county’s businesses to connect with central government.

Following the success of last year’s Audience with George Osborne, the Chamber have secured an exclusive date with Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable.

The Chamber’s Chief Executive, Caroline Williams, said today ‘This is an exciting opportunity for Norfolk. Vince Cable is one of the country’s key decision makers and he will be at our business leaders’ breakfast to give us an insight into the Government’s Industrial Strategy and how it relates to Norfolk’.

Giving Norfolk’s business community a voice at the highest level of government is an essential part of The Chamber’s mission, and Caroline Williams is adamant that it’s essential. ‘We have an enormous amount of potential here in Norfolk. We have world class companies, outstanding products and services as well as a ‘can do’ attitude. It’s vital that we are not only kept informed of how Government policy affects Norfolk, but that we inform Whitehall of what’s needed here to maximise and realise that potential’ she said. ‘This audience with the Secretary of State will allow us to connect with Government and make our needs and aspirations known’.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Industrial Strategy is about government working in partnership with businesses to give them the confidence to invest. Together we are delivering the skills, infrastructure and research funding we need to create long-term prosperity. East Anglia has much to offer as a centre of manufacturing, agriculture and clean energy, and the Government wants to support the local companies that are creating jobs and driving growth.

“I look forward to hearing from Norfolk-based enterprises to learn more about their priorities. I hope many will benefit from a closer working relationship with the Government as we rebalance the economy.”

The Audience with Vince Cable will take place over breakfast in Norwich on Friday 28th November. Demand for places is high and Chamber members are urged to make a reservation now.

Caroline Williams added, ‘We’re thrilled to have secured an audience with Vince Cable. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with the highest level of policy making, and it’s another demonstration of The Chamber’s commitment to Norfolk and its commercial community’.

Norfolk businesses planning to watch the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement live on TV or a computer in the workplace are being reminded to ensure they are correctly licensed.

With more and more management teams clicking through or tuning in to view live broadcasts of George Osborne’s Autumn Statement and Budget speeches, TV Licensing is reminding businesses in Norfolk that it is essential they are aware of their licensing responsibilities.

The Autumn Statement, which will be shown on December 3 on a number of channels and online, is likely to prove popular amongst businesses seeking to get ahead as the economic recovery gathers pace.

A TV Licence is required if staff or customers at a business premises watch or record TV programmes at the same time they’re shown on the telly – whether on a TV, tablet, computer or any other type of equipment. And TV Licensing has been working with Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to ensure companies get the message – last year TV Licensing enquiry officers visited more than 33,000 business premises across the UK.

Mr Osborne’s statement is sure to be highly anticipated by business people. Mark Whitehouse, regional spokesman for TV Licensing in East Anglia, said: “With live streaming to events such as the Chancellor’s statement so readily accessible, we know that a host of businesses in Norfolk are going to be tuning in to get the very latest news. But our message to employers and employees is that they need to be aware of the licensing requirements if they’re watching live in the workplace.

“We want businesses to enjoy live television without having to worry about being correctly licensed, so it’s important that business owners understand when they do and don’t need a licence. We visit unlicensed address as part of our work to check that people are on the right side of the law.”

Nova Fairbank, from Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “We know that Norfolk businesses want to stay within the law, so this provides a timely reminder for business owners to make sure they’re covered by an up-to-date TV Licence. Programmes like the Autumn Statement are of great interest and are useful to business leaders across Norfolk, but it’s important people are aware of the law and how it relates to the wide range of TV viewing platforms available today. We would advise firms where staff are tuning in to programmes like this not to assume that they’re covered. It’s always best to check that your business has a TV Licence if employees are watching TV via PC or laptop at work stations, in boardrooms or staff restaurant areas. We would always encourage businesses to make sure they’re correctly licensed, and never to assume that it’s been dealt with.”

A TV Licence is a legal requirement and is needed if you’re watching or recording programmes at the same time as they’re shown on TV, costs £145.50 and can be bought online in minutes at tvlicensing.co.uk. In addition to the usual ways to pay, businesses can also pay using BACS electronic transfer. Anyone caught watching or recording live television without a licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.