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Norfolk Chambers response to the Spring Statement
The Chancellor’s Spring Statement included measures aimed at addressing skills shortages, reforming planning, and simplifying procurement processes. While some businesses may benefit from these changes, challenges remain, particularly with rising costs and a downgraded economic growth forecast.
Jack Weaver, Chief Operating Officer, Norfolk Chambers, said:
“It is disappointing that the Chancellor didn’t take this opportunity to offer an olive branch to the business community, especially after October’s budget that felt like a raid on the very people on whom so much of the government’s growth aspirations depend.
“The improving picture on inflation is welcome, so too is the confirmed investment in addressing skills and training needs, which our members consistently tell us is a major barrier to growth. Likewise, the work underway to reform planning and unlock development is a positive step, even though the economic and business growth benefits of those measures will take time to come through.
“Investment in defence and the simplification of procurement processes could benefit some in the relevant supply chains, but with the OBR halving the growth forecast from 2% to 1%, this will come as little comfort to Norfolk businesses.
“As we look to next week when businesses face a hike in NI contributions and an increase in minimum wage, this Spring Statement will have minimal positive impact on how businesses feel right now.
“Looking ahead, we need action from the government to reset the UK/EU trade relationship, minimise the costs and complexity for businesses from the Employment Rights legislation and give more certainty about when we can expect the tax burden on business to ease.
“Norfolk businesses will, as ever, rise to the challenge and continue to be the backbone of our local economy. But we need this government to meet them halfway and create the right conditions for them to grow.”
National Apprenticeship Week 2026
Keeping skills on the agenda across Norfolk and Suffolk
National Apprenticeship Week 2026 has once again shone a spotlight on the vital role apprenticeships play in strengthening Norfolk and Suffolk’s workforce and supporting long-term economic growth.
The week is an important moment to reinforce why skills must remain firmly on the agenda. LSIP exists to ensure that local training provision is shaped by employer need, aligning education and skills delivery with the realities of the regional labour market, addressing priority sector gaps, and creating clear, high-quality pathways into employment.
Apprenticeships are central to that ambition. They provide practical, employer-led routes into skilled careers while enabling businesses to build capability, productivity and resilience.
Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards 2026
The Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards 2026 took place on the evening of 12th February, marking their fourth year and continuing the support of the East of England Apprenticeship Ambassador Network as headline sponsor.
The event brought together apprentices, employers, mentors, advocates and training providers from across the county to recognise the outstanding contribution apprenticeships make to individuals, organisations and the local economy.
With 12 categories spanning apprentice achievement (Intermediate through to Degree Level), employer recognition across all sizes, green impact, advocacy, mentoring and exceptional circumstances, the awards reflect the breadth and diversity of apprenticeship success across Norfolk.
LSIP was proud to sponsor the Large Apprenticeships Employer of the Year (250+ employees) category. Large employers play a significant role in shaping workforce development at scale, embedding apprenticeships into organisational strategy, creating progression opportunities and demonstrating leadership within their sectors.
We are delighted to congratulate all those who were shortlisted and all of this year’s winners, whose commitment to skills development is helping to strengthen our regional workforce.
Large Apprenticeships Employer of the Year (250+ employees)
Shortlisted – Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Norfolk County Council, Aviva
Winner – Aviva
We would also like to extend our thanks to the organisers, hosts, sponsors and judging panel whose work ensures the continued success and credibility of the awards. The continued growth in engagement reflects the increasing recognition of apprenticeships as a cornerstone of workforce development in Norfolk.
Dean Pierpoint, Skills Director for Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP, said, “National Apprenticeship Week provides an important opportunity to recognise the impact apprenticeships have across Norfolk and Suffolk. Not only for individuals building their careers, but for the employers investing in their future workforce.
The Apprenticeships Norfolk Awards demonstrate the strength of collaboration across our region and the commitment businesses are making to developing skills at every level.
LSIP is focused on ensuring that apprenticeship provision aligns closely with employer demand, addresses priority sector challenges and supports sustainable economic growth. The calibre of finalists and winners this year highlights the depth of talent and leadership we have across our county.”
Apprenticeship Success Stories Across the Region
Throughout National Apprenticeship Week, Norfolk Chambers members also shared powerful examples of apprenticeship impact in action.
Swarm Training Supports Employers During National Apprenticeship Week
Chambers Gold Patron Swarm Training hosted a pop-up drop-in at Norfolk Chamber’s Business Hub in Norwich as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
The initiative gave employers the opportunity to speak directly with Swarm Training’s team about how apprenticeships can be used to upskill existing employees, introduce structured apprenticeship programmes into organisations, and support workforce development across commercial and professional roles.
Providing accessible, face-to-face engagement opportunities for businesses is an important part of keeping skills on the agenda beyond awareness campaigns. The pop-up demonstrated practical support available to employers looking to embed apprenticeships into their workforce strategy.
Read more: https://www.swarmtraining.org.uk/national-apprenticeship-week
College of West Anglia: Back to the Floor 2026
Members of the senior management team from the College of West Anglia swapped their usual roles to experience life as an apprentice first-hand, as part of the College’s 2026 ‘Back to the Floor’ initiative.
Read more: https://norfolkchamber.co.uk/member-news/cwa-staff-step-into-the-world-of-apprenticeships-for-back-to-the-floor-2026/
Norfolk County Council Awards Grant to College of West Anglia
A new grant awarded to the College of West Anglia supports continued investment in training provision aligned to local workforce needs with more than 1,300 students set to benefit.
Read more: https://norfolkchamber.co.uk/member-news/norfolk-county-council-awards-college-of-west-anglia-grant/
Springwood High Students Explore Professional Cookery
Students experienced the hospitality sector first-hand during a CWA Novus takeover, highlighting the importance of early exposure to vocational career pathways.
Read more: https://norfolkchamber.co.uk/member-news/springwood-high-students-step-into-the-world-of-professional-cookery-during-cwa-novus-takeover/
Hospitality Students Support Royal Visit
College of West Anglia hospitality students showcased industry-ready skills by providing catering during a royal visit to Prince’s Wisbech.
Read more: https://norfolkchamber.co.uk/member-news/college-of-west-anglia-hospitality-students-provide-catering-for-royal-visit-to-princes-wisbech/
Digital Marketing Apprentice Spotlight
A digital marketing apprentice’s journey highlights how apprenticeship pathways are supporting entry into fast-growing digital sectors and helping businesses build future-ready capability.
Read more: https://norfolkchamber.co.uk/member-news/digital-marketing-apprentice/
Continuing the Momentum
While National Apprenticeship Week provides a valuable focal point, LSIP’s work continues year-round. By engaging directly with employers and sector leaders, Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP is focused on identifying and addressing priority skills gaps, strengthening alignment between employers and training providers, and ensuring the local skills system remains responsive and employer-led.
Apprenticeships are not simply a training route, they are a critical pillar of a resilient, future-focused local economy.
About the Norfolk & Suffolk Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP)
The Norfolk & Suffolk Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is designed to put employers at the heart of the skills agenda in this region.
Working in collaboration since September 2022, Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce, in conjunction with the Department for Education (DfE), continue to highlight the fundamental skills requirements for key sectors across our region and have developed a roadmap for change to help address those skills shortages.
The LSIP fosters stronger relationships with a range of stakeholders, including local authorities, colleges and independent training providers and has continued to ensure that the employer voice is clearly heard.
Nova Fairbank features in Copper Consultancy’s ‘Five Questions With…’ interview series
We’re pleased to share that our Chief Executive, Nova Fairbank, has been interviewed as part of Copper Consultancy’s ‘Five Questions With…’ series, a platform highlighting views from leaders across infrastructure, business, and public life.
In this latest instalment, Nova speaks to James Hyde about Norfolk’s transport priorities, the opportunities and challenges of devolution, and the role of collaboration in unlocking the region’s economic potential.
With Norfolk and Suffolk set to form a Mayoral Combined County Authority (MCCA) in 2026, Nova reflects on how greater local control could help target investment where it’s most needed – from road and rail upgrades to supporting skills, clean energy, and digital connectivity.
She also explores how Norfolk Chambers, alongside partners like National Highways, Transport East, and the Chambers East alliance, is working to ensure business voices help shape the future of infrastructure across the region.
Nova was joined in the conversation by contributors from BTTC, M Group Highways, Norfolk County Council, and National Highways, each posing a key question around connectivity, opportunity, and regional growth.
You can read the full interview on Copper Consultancy’s website here:
Five Questions With Nova Fairbank
How does a Skills Brokerage System impact Norfolk Businesses?
This was the question we explored on Tuesday 20th January at the Maid’s Head Hotel, there was a buzz around the room as Dean Pierpoint, Skills Director at the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce provided an explanation, using the employers voice gathered from our survey, into the complex skills system that has been developed and why a brokerage system could help businesses to navigate and help to simplify the system. Katy Dorman, Apprenticeship Strategy Manager for Apprenticeships Norfolk, followed up and explained how a brokerage system has brought success to Apprenticeships Norfolk.
Employers and training providers were made to earn their breakfast as roundtable discussions got underway. Engaging conversations were had throughout the room as 3 key questions were put forward and the 3 top answers:
What part of the brokerage service would make the biggest positive difference to your organisation?
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Single point of contact & visibility of the service
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Signposting and awareness of opportunities
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Full-service knowledge e.g. grants, funding, sharing of knowledge and understanding of terminology
What barriers or challenges should the brokerage solve first to be genuinely useful for employers?
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Lack of connectivity – available providers, flexibility, support
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Understanding what the business really needs – more focus on upskilling
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Collaboration between training providers
What does success look like for you if brokerage becomes fully operational?
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People in learning, in the correct courses, with the correct output
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A simple to navigate, understandable skills system
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Focussed brokerage for specific industries – supported through the whole process
Employers are clear that brokerage only adds value if it simplifies an otherwise fragmented system. Guidance and support through the system are the biggest challenges that need to be addressed and a hub of individuals that understand what’s best for businesses and able to assign the best provision to the business. Ultimately the goal of brokerage would be to put people on appropriate courses for the individual and the business.
Keystone Employer Feature – Cory Brothers Limited
Cory Brothers Limited has been a trusted supply chain partner for businesses for over 180 years providing freight forwarding, project logistics, customs clearance, liner, and warehousing.
Head of Strategic Development Mike Bowden explains why they are a Keystone Employer in Suffolk:
What are the benefits of engaging with the Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP?
“At Cory we are committed to supporting young people who are considering a role in shipping. As a keystone employer and by engaging with the Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP at events and through one-to-one conversations, we are able to showcase what a rewarding career in shipping can be to the next generation of employees.”
What is the importance of the LSIP within the local skills Landscape?
”The most important thing is the ability to articulate the employer needs and creating a better alignment between the employer and educator. This will ensure that the workforce is better prepared for current and future job markets.”
What is the value of supporting skills within your workplace?
“One of the key values at Cory Brothers is developing our people. We believe in setting ambitious goals and constantly pushing our own limits, and encourage our team members to surpass themselves, explore new ideas, and innovate. Through this we create a positive and inspiring work environment where people can develop, collaborate, and enjoy what they do.”
Keystone Employer Feature – Flagship Group
Flagship Group – solving the housing crisis in the East of England.
Nadine Tapp Head of Group Academy tells us why the LSIP is important to them.
“As Chair of the Building Growth sector group, I’ve seen first-hand the difference a strong, responsive skills system can make. Working with the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) has given me clearer insight into the skills landscape – and a platform to voice the real challenges employers like Flagship face”.
“At Flagship, we’ve always taken a hands-on approach to training and growing new talent. But partnering with the LSIP has helped sharpen that focus. It’s allowed us to raise concerns, highlight gaps, and work closer with local providers. A great example is our collaboration with one of our local colleges – a relationship that grew through this work and helped us win the LSIP Sponsored Large Employer Award at the Norfolk Apprenticeships Awards.”
“I’m also proud to contribute as a Keystone Employer for the LSIP, where I can bring a housing and construction perspective to the table and help shape a skills agenda that’s built around the needs of our sector and our places”.
Keystone Employer Feature – PCE Automation
PCE Automation provide bespoke solutions to global manufacturing challenges, and a Suffolk Keystone employer for the Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP.
Managing Director Shaun Wigley explains more:
What are the benefits of engaging with the Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP?
“PCE Automation actively contributes by participating in LSIP surveys and speaking at local events. This engagement has enabled us to share our experience collaborating with local colleges and apprenticeships, while gaining insight into how the LSIP is shaping the skills agenda for Suffolk”.
What is the importance of the LSIP within the local skills landscape?
“The LSIP plays a critical role by giving local businesses a voice to identify specific skills needs within our county and industry. This ensures that training programmes and qualifications are effectively tailored to meet the evolving requirements of the Suffolk economy”.
What is the value of supporting skills within your workplace?
“The future strength of our sector depends on developing talent internally. Through collaboration with educators, trainers, and businesses, the Norfolk and Suffolk LSIP helps maintain a steady pipeline of skilled individuals, safeguarding the sustainability and growth of our industry”.
NDR – Fast moving developments
Norfolk Chamber is holding a breakfast event with Norfolk County Council, on 26 November at Norwich City Football Club, which will look at the fast moving developments in transport. The breakfast is aimed at business leaders and CEOs from businesses across Norfolk who are interested in hearing about travel and transport developments in and around Norwich, in particular the impact and benefits of the Norwich Northern Distributor Road and its place in the wider ‘Transport for Norwich’ strategy.
The breakfast is free to attend to all Chamber members. For details on the event and to book you place click here.
Investment in the Norwich Northern Distributor Road (NDR) will help unlock thousands of jobs and support the development of up to 10,000 new homes. It will open up access to Norwich International Airport, large areas of Broadland and North Norfolk and business areas in the north-east sector of Norwich.Preliminary work will have started, ahead of main construction around March next year.
The NDR also enables progress on a number of other transport initiatives that come under the Transport for Norwich banner, including the latest city centre changes, further cycle route developments and Bus Rapid Transit.
Recently there has been a lot in the press about the delays in the start of the NDR. The Wensum Valley Alliance recently announced that it had launched a legal challenge to Norfolk County Council’s decision over funding for the NDR. Their claim being that the County Council meeting – where the Council agreed to put forward £10m towards the £30m funding gap, after the cost of the road escalated – was unlawful.
Today, Norfolk County Council announced that they would hold an Extraordinary Meeting to make the decision again, in an attempt to sidestep the legal challenge by the Wensum Valley Alliance. The meeting will take place on 6 November 2015.
BCC spell out the realities of trade
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has issued a series of what it describes as provocative articles “challenging the cosy Westminster consensus” on a range of business and economic issues, including exports and trade.
“Bursting the bubble: 10 ways Westminster gets it wrong on business and the economy” pulls no punches in arguing for more intelligent – and more informed – debate on the big issues facing the UK.
The articles seek to undermine a range of myths that have taken hold in Westminster and Whitehall in areas including debt, productivity, bank finance, education, infrastructure, inward investment, the EU, energy, broadband and exports.
With regard to the last of these topics, the BCC tells Prime Minister David Cameron that his ambition to double UK exports to £1 trillion by 2020 will miss its target – by 14 years.
“Put simply,” it argues, “while Government support may have helped individual businesses succeed over the years, it has failed to move the dial on exports overall.”
Pointing to the fall in the UK’s share of world exports (now down to 3%) and the continuing increase in the trade deficit, the BCC makes clear that export support to date is not working.
British businesses simply do not perform as well in terms of exporting as their French and German counterparts. Of the five million companies in the UK, only one in five are exporters – compared with one in four in Germany.
Government should be focusing its activities on helping to open up markets for British business, the BCC recommends, and leave business-to-business trade promotion Activities to the private sector.
It also highlights that UK export growth will not happen without action closer to home: addressing infrastructure deficiencies and the skills gaps and ensuring that businesses of all sizes have the access to finance that they need.
UK recovery on course despite slower GDP growth
- GDP grew by 0.5% in Q3 2015, compared with growth of 0.7% in Q2
- Services output increased by 0.7% on the quarter, production grew by 0.3%, but construction output plunged by 2.2%
Commenting on the preliminary UK GDP figures for Q3 2015, issued yesterday by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce,said:
“The main reason for the slowdown was the sharp fall in construction, a sector which is traditionally volatile and erratic. However, our strong services sector continues to keep the recovery on track.
“Our economic growth remains unbalanced. Although total production is slightly up, expansion in the extractive industries masked a further 0.3% decline in manufacturing output. The trade deficit also widened in this quarter, and we are still heavily reliant on consumer spending.
“Nevertheless, it is good news that real GDP is now 6.4% higher than the pre-recession peak in early 2008. What we need now is further measures to boost growth to support the recovery, with particular emphasis on exports and infrastructure investments. Fixing the fundamentals will place the economy on a surer footing.”
Q4 economic survey asks for business response on EU Reform
The British Chambers of Commerce Q4 quarterly economic survey (QES) is currently underway. As part of that survey, the Chambers are trying to understand just how much the business community is aware of the recent proposals for a new settlement for the UK within a reformed European Union.
David Cameron formally set out his demandsin a letter to the presidentof the European Council Donald Tusk on 10 November, stating that four objectives lie at the heart of the UK’s renegotiations:
- Protection of the single market for Britain and other non-euro countries
- Boosting competitiveness by setting a target for the reduction of the “burden” of red tape
- Exempting Britain from “ever-closer union” and bolstering national parliaments
- Restricting EU migrants’ access to in-work benefits such as tax credits
Mr Cameron hit back at claims by former Tory chancellor Lord Lawson that the four goals were “disappointingly unambitious”, saying they reflected what the British people wanted and would be “good for Britain and good for the European Union”. The Prime Minister also said: “It is mission possible and it is going to take a lot of hard work to get there.”
The Chamber’s QES can be completed online in less than 3 minutes, including the 2 additional questions asking for your thoughts on the UK’s EU Reform proposals. The survey deadline is 5pm on Monday 30 November 2015.