Chamber News

Reacting to the signing of the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC said: “The BCC welcomes the signature of the UK-New Zealand free trade agreement today. This will mean zero-tariff trade for UK exporters with customers in New Zealand once the agreement enters into force early next year. It will also be easier for SMEs to access the New Zealand market as paperwork and red tape are reduced through modern provisions on digital trade. The FTA should be worth up to £800m to the UK economy and raise bilateral trade by around 60%. “We also welcome the opportunities for business travel and being able to provide services in New Zealand on an equal footing together with a new entry route to facilitate this. “The agreement will also boost trade in environmental goods and services – essential for the transition to Net Zero. “We will engage with businesses in the UK and New Zealand to discuss the many plus points of this agreement, and hope to see it force as soon as possible.”   Image credit: Chamber Canva Pro usage 2022  

The invasion by Russia of Ukraine is an appalling act of aggression with terrible loss of life and displacement of potentially the largest number of people in Europe since World War II. We understand that people across the Chamber Network and member companies will be sickened and upset by the consequences being witnessed each day. The situation for businesses who operated in, or with clients or customers, in Russia and Belarus, is moving quickly. All UK, EU and most of wider European airspace is closed to Russian flights. Major shipping lines including Maersk are not taking containers either to or from Russia. Russia-linked ships will not be allowed access to UK ports. Many Russian banks are excluded from the Swift payments system. Further sanctions were announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Monday morning on economic activity underpinned by the Russian Central Bank. Please see our Q&A on trade and the war in Ukraine available here.  Please see our updated holding statement on Ukraine available here While it remains a moral and commercial decision for UK companies on what actions to take under any contracts with Russian (or Belarussian) customers or suppliers covering goods and services not under sanctions, it will become more difficult for any trade to be conducted within hours much less days. We are pressing the UK government to produce guidance to UK business in terms of the War in Ukraine. For now, some of you have spoken with us about review of contracts which some member companies have conducted, in particular about any force majeure clauses which may cover war conditions, to cover non-performance of contractual terms while the force majeure conditions apply. We are supporting the leadership of the British Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce who are now in London. We have asked them for guidance on appropriate aid routes that we may wish to support as a Network. Further details will be shared shortly. British Chambers of Commerce

The partnership between Norfolk Chambers of Commerce and King’s Lynn-based Uptech will provide Norfolk businesses with more opportunities to improve their cyber security and IT systems. James Fowler, Business Development Manager at Uptech said, “The Strategic Partnership has been in gestation for a few months now, and to have it ready to go, is really exciting! The Chambers events are truly excellent, we want to feed off that group energy, and channel it back into West Norfolk by further sharing our knowledge and expertise.” Uptech saw a very successful year in 2021 achieving Cyber Essential + and Microsoft Gold Partnership, and, finishing in the Top 5 in the country for Managed Service Provider for the year was fantastic recognition for them. With such a positive year behind them, they are focussing on the coming year ahead, “We’re really excited by what 2022 will bring. Over the next year, we’re planning a series of lunch and learn events as part of our partnership, and this firmly cements us as experts within our field,” said Fowler. Managing Director Jason Carlton who is keen to get involved with the Business Climate Leaders programme said, “We’re very passionate about our net-zero journey, we have been 99% paperless for five years and we take notes on tablets and only print when absolutely necessary, we’re looking forward to developing our commitment as Strategic Partners.” Chris Sargisson, CEO of Norfolk Chambers of Commerce said: “This is an exciting time for Norfolk Chambers, and being able to have partners such as Uptech will mean that we can co.nnect with businesses on another level. Cyber security is so incredibly important to all businesses and can cause devasting impacts if not managed correctly. I’m excited to see the co.llaborations that will take place between Uptech and our members, providing support and peace of mind to many Norfolk businesses.” Find out more about Uptech

Way to Work is a new partnership between the government and employers to get 500,000 jobseekers into work by the end of June 2022. This partnership will help fill record numbers of vacancies, supporting job-ready people into the labour market and helping them progress into a career. Whether you’re a job seeker finding your way back into work, or an employer who’s looking for a way to get the right person to help their business, Jobcentre Plus and Way to Work can help. More information can be found by clicking on the below links: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-jobs-mission-to-get-500-000-into-work https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/way-to-work/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqtvT1rKT9gIVSe3tCh3_8wGdEAAYASAAEgKH5vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds You can contact the Jobcentre Plus Employer Services Line by phone or by email. Employer Services Line [email protected] Telephone: 0800 169 0178  way_to_work_-_an_introduction_for_employers.pdf

Yesterday the UK announced the following sanctions against Russia:

• Asset freeze on major Russian banks
• Legislation banning Russian govt & companies from raising money in UK
• More oligarchs sanctioned
• Sanctions on major Russian companies including Rostech
• Aeroflot ban
• Ban on high tech exports to Russia
• Limiting deposits Russians can hold in UK bank accounts
• Bringing forward parts of economic crime bill

Hannah Essex, Co-Executive Director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:  “With the dreadful news coming out of Ukraine today, all of us at the BCC hope there will soon be a peaceful resolution. Our thoughts are with all those affected in Ukraine and across our Global Network. “The situation in Ukraine will be deeply worrying for many businesses in the region as well as here in the UK. International leaders must focus on seeking a swift resolution to end the invasion and return to peace. “The British Chambers of Commerce will work closely with the UK government to ensure that businesses have all of the advice, information and support they need to make decisions, adapt to these circumstances and navigate the challenging times ahead.” On the impact on trade and the economy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “Alongside the enormous human cost, the Russian invasion of Ukraine will create a significant shock to the world economy by weakening global demand, damaging international financial markets and adversely impacting the UK economy. “The UK energy market has a lot less direct exposure to Russian gas supplies than most of Europe. But, as the global market is already tight, a scramble to source supplies will very likely result in further rises to prices in the UK. “There is also a risk of further disruption to global supply chains, particularly those crossing through Russia and Ukraine, with closure of air space likely to have a significant impact on the movement of goods and people. “The cumulative effect of all of this will likely be higher imported inflation and weakening trade flows. “There could also be some supply chain disruption to manufacturers if some items cannot be exported in the event of hostilities and alternative supply sources cannot easily be obtained. This would inevitably further increase cost pressures and limit economic activity.” UK-Ukraine Trade  Trade between the UK and Ukraine to the year-end of Q2 2021 was £1.6bn in total. Four fifths of this is in goods – with imports of iron and steel (about a quarter of all Ukrainian goods imports to the UK), cereals and grains (22%), vegetable oils and fats (15%), oil-seeds/oleaginous fruits (14%), and animal feed (3%). Key U.K. exports to Russia are machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers ($743m in 2020), vehicles ($504m in 2020), pharmaceuticals ($293m), electrical & electronic equipment ($153m).

Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement to Parliament on the ‘Living with Covid’ strategy, BCC Co-Executive Director, Claire Walker, said: “Businesses will welcome the ambition of the Prime Minister, which inches us closer to pre-pandemic trading conditions. However, for many firms, this move will not be without its challenges and Government must not pass public health decisions on to the business community, who are not public health experts. On testing “Members continue to tell us that access to free testing is key to managing workplace sickness and maintaining consumer confidence. If the government is to remove this, companies must still be able to access tests on a cost-effective basis. New Guidance “We look forward to consulting with Government to help shape the new guidance for businesses that will be developed. It is critical that a variety of issues and scenarios be fully addressed by this. Businesses need clarity if they are to operate at maximum capacity, as well as keep consumers and employee’s confidence high. Future outbreaks “Businesses also need to understand how Government will respond to further variants of concern – or indeed a future pandemic – and what support would be put in place if new guidance or mandatory restrictions are introduced that have a negative impact on the economy. “Firms will only truly be able to ‘Live with Covid’ when they are confident that a plan is in place for future outbreaks. Uncertainty will put a brake on investment and the shadow of the pandemic could continue to loom over our economy for some time to come.”

Commenting on the inflation statistics for January 2022, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Head of Economics at the BCC Suren Thiru, said: “Rising inflation highlights both the cost-of-living crisis facing households and the uphill struggle for businesses to keep a lid on price rises amid surging cost pressures. “While the headline annual figure remains at a 30-year high, the decline in monthly inflation in January offers some hope that we may be nearing the peak in the current spike in inflation. “Inflation should peak at over 7% in April as reversal of the hospitality VAT cut and the energy price cap rise enters the calculation. However, the current Russia-Ukraine tension could keep inflation higher for longer by triggering a further surge in wholesale energy costs. “Rising inflation could well be a significant drag anchor on UK economic output this year by weakening consumer spending power and damaging firms’ finances and ability to invest. “Increasing inflation means that a March interest rate rise is expected. However, tightening monetary policy too quickly risks undermining confidence and the wider recovery and will do little to curb the global factors behind the current inflationary surge. “More needs to be done to limit the unprecedented rise in costs facing businesses, including financial support for those struggling with soaring energy bills and delaying April’s National Insurance rise.”   Photo credit: Getty Images/Chamber Canva Pro usage 2022

Our annual flagship policy event returned face-to-face this year at The Halls, St Andrews Plain, Norwich on the 4th February. Bringing together local MPs and business leaders to debate topics that were picked by local businesses. The topics chosen were People, Skills and Wellbeing, Growth and Innovation, Transport and Infrastructure and Climate Change. The Big Debate was once again sponsored by Greater Anglia. Stand sponsors Ascot Lloyd, Charles Stanley and Howes Percival also joined the event. Over 90 people attended the event, including a high calibre of panellists such as Chloe Smith MP, Clive Lewis MP, James Wild MP and George Freeman MP, plus senior representatives from Norfolk businesses, education providers and local authorities such as Aviva, Turning Factor, KonectBus, City College Norwich and Norfolk County Council. Debate 1: Climate Change The first panel debate of the event was Climate Change with Ellen Goodwin, Infrastructure Manager and Clean Growth lead at New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Paul McCarthy General Manager at Chantry Place, Stuart Wright Operations Net Zero Delivery Director at Aviva and Clive Lewis, Labour MP Norwich South. How can we help businesses on the education of climate change? Clive Lewis – Net-zero isn’t sufficient. We need to be going further and faster – that window is closing fast. What can you do? You can ensure your staff, where possible, work from home, go to a four-day week – make sure you’re building is carbon neutral with solar panels. The bigger part of the story is for businesses like you to lobby government for real change. Paul McCarthy – Many businesses understand that it’s an issue, some may think it’s not as drastic as we’ve heard but they all recognise that climate change is real – we all have our part to play in addressing it. What the Business Climate Leaders programme is all about is to try and help businesses – to support, to educate them on their journey – it’s designed to help do the right thing, as quickly as they possibly can by putting them in touch with people who can help. The programme is there to help them, whilst they run their businesses to. How does a business start a net-zero journey? Ellen Goodwin – We’re working to support businesses with a community renewable fund to help businesses take that first step – most people recognise the challenge, we want to provide consultancy support, SME support, decarbonisation plans, carbon calculators – this is a pilot game with an evaluation plan – a first step space. Stuart Wright – This is an extinction event. If we don’t take this seriously now, planning won’t matter. It sounds very dramatic, but that is the reality. Aviva has a net-zero programme, and net-zero has to be done properly, the first thing a company needs to do is to reduce its carbon emissions by 90% between now and 2030 – that’s a chunky ambition and we call it that because it’s an ambition. It’s about ambition, understanding technology, and getting it done.   Debate 2: People, Skills and Wellbeing Joining the debate panel was Chloe Smith MP Norwich North, David Melloy Business Development Manager Ascot Lloyd, Rebecca White CEO Your Own Place and Jerry White Deputy Principal City College. Now we’re getting through lockdown, how do we go about tackling wellbeing and productivity for employees? Chloe Smith – Embrace more talent into the workplace. Jerry White – The last two years have been challenging, we need to ensure people still feel part of the workplace culture with this way of working. Social check-ins with teams who work online is really important – it’s about asking how we use technology so we feel connected. David Melloy – It’s great to see everyone face to face, but for us as our advisors were having virtual meetings, you were seeing them in their homes – you do learn a lot about people, it has been a big change and has affected how we work as a firm. Rebecca White – Whether on zoom or teams, our approach to Wellbeing is about values, and either or not you care about your team, it’s the more about mortar more than the bricks   Debate 3: Transport and Infrastructure The third panel of the event to debate transport and infrastructure was Jonathan Denby Head of Corporate Affairs Greater Anglia, Jeremy Wiggin Team Leader Norfolk County Council, James Wild MP West Norfolk, Steve Royal Network Manager Konextbus and Peter Brown Managing Director Jack Richards. How will Norfolk develop public transport networks that are appealing and practical to tempt staff out of private cars when making journeys to and from work? Steve Royal – it’s quite simple, we need to make public transport more attractive, the only way you’ll get people to use public transport is to make it better than driving by car – put in the services that people want – it’s a big challenge. We’ve got to encourage more people out of their cars, but they have to have a product that delivers that. Jonathan Denby – Let people know how good the product is – where frequency or convenience is a disincentive for people to use the trains – looking at those projects and seeing what we can do to make it more attractive. It’s a package of messages, it’s the pricing – the ticketing, is it on time, can I build my day around it. James Wild – getting people onto ebikes, escooters is essential, encourage more people to get out on bikes.   Debate 4: Growth and Innovation For the final debate we welcomed George Freeman MP Mid Norfolk, Alex Sellers Director of Learning Turning Factor, Ashley Shorey-Mills Head of Sizewell C Suffolk Chambers of Commerce and Hayley Johnson Director of Operations Artlist.   How do I ensure the whole team is engaged and motivated to support the growth and innovation plans? Alex Sellers – it all comes down to leadership, communication, connecting and talking to people about what you’re doing. George Freeman – Good leadership is about explaining to your team whether is 2 or 200, explaining just how fast things are changing, and actually it’s about listening to your team. Hayley Johnson – Within the creative sector you have to be brave and bold, to put yourself out there – your best innovators are the people who do the work, the really strong culture drives your business. Ashley Shorely-Mills – it’s all about the culture – it’s imperative to involve people – it’s not about top level anymore, it’s the whole business that needs to be involved.   Photo credit: Chris Ball ©

• 71% of exporters say EU trade deal is not enabling them to grow or increase sales
• Only 1 in 8 exporters think it is helping them grow or increase sales
• Majority think it has pushed up costs, increased paperwork and delays, and put the UK at a competitive disadvantage. 

New research* carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce of more than 1,000 businesses has highlighted a host of issues with the UK’s trade deal with Europe. The BCC believes urgent steps should be taken to address these problems so the UK Government’s ambition to increase the number of firms exporting can be met. Overall, just 8% of firms agreed that the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) was ‘enabling their business to grow or increase sales’, while 54% disagreed. For UK exporters 12% agreed that the TCA was helping them while 71% disagreed. When asked to comment on the specific advantage (for those that agreed) or disadvantage (for those that disagreed) of the trade deal, 59 firms identified an advantage, while 320 cited a disadvantage. Of the 59 comments received on the advantage of the TCA, firms said:

• It had allowed some companies to continue to trade without significant change
• It had encouraged firms to look at other global markets
• It had provided stability to allow firms to plan.

Of the 320 comments received on the disadvantage of the TCA, firms said:

• It had led to rising costs for companies and their clients
• Smaller businesses did not have the time and money to deal with the bureaucracy it had introduced
• It had put off EU customers from considering UK goods and services – due to the perceived costs and complexities.

This follows BCC research in October 2021, which found that 60% of exporters were facing difficulties adapting to the changes from the TCA on goods trade, while 17% found the changes easy. Reacting to the findings, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This is the latest BCC research to clearly show there are issues with the EU trade deal that need to be improved. Yet it could be so different. There are five relatively simple steps that UK and EU policymakers could take to ease the burden placed on businesses struggling with the trade deal. “Nearly all of the businesses in this research have fewer than 250 employees and these smaller firms are feeling most of the pain of the new burdens in the TCA. “Many of these companies have neither the time, staff or money to deal with the additional paperwork and rising costs involved with EU trade, nor can they afford to set up a new base in Europe or pay for intermediaries to represent them. “But if both sides take a pragmatic approach, they could reach a new understanding on the rules and then build on that further. “Accredited Chambers of Commerce support the UK Government’s ambition to massively increase the number of firms exporting. If we can free up the flow of goods and services into the EU, our largest overseas market, it will go a long way to realising that goal.” The BCC’s five key issues, and the solutions needed, to improve EU trade are: ISSUE: Export health certificates cost too much and take up too much time for smaller food exporters. SOLUTION:  We need a supplementary deal on this which either eliminates or reduces the complexity of exporting food for these firms.   ISSUE: Some companies are being asked to register in multiple EU states for VAT in order to sell online to customers there. SOLUTION: We need a supplementary deal, like Norway’s with the EU. This exempts the smallest firms from the requirement to have a fiscal representative and incur these duplicate costs.   ISSUE: As things stand CE marked industrial and electrical products will not be permitted for sale on the market in Great Britain from January 2023. The same is true for components and spares. SOLUTION:  We need action from the Government to help businesses with these timelines. Many firms are far from convinced about a ban on CE marked goods in Great Britain.   ISSUE: UK firms facing limitations on business travel and work activities in the EU. SOLUTION: Government needs to make side deals with the EU and member states to boost access in this area as a priority for 2022.   ISSUE: Companies starting to be pursued in respect of import customs declarations deferred from last year. SOLUTION:  We need a pragmatic approach to enforcement to ensure companies recovering from the pandemic do not face heavy-handed demands too quickly on import payments, or paperwork. Photo credit: Getty Images/Chamber Canva Pro usage 2022

The Chambers Quarterly Economic Survey (QES), is the UK’s largest independent business survey and is currently open for responses from local Norfolk businesses. The previous quarter’s QES showed that Norfolk’s economic recovery had stalled in the fourth quarter of 2021 and firms were facing unprecedented inflationary pressures.

• 65% of Norfolk firms expect their prices to increase in the next three months and 78% of businesses cited inflation as a concern

• 1 in 4 (27%) Norfolk manufacturing firms were worried about rising interest rates, as concerns over rate hikes reach record high

• Just over half of Norfolk firms (47%) reported increased domestic sales in Q4, compared to 45% in Q3

• 13% of Norfolk firms reported increases in export sales orders, compared to 17% in Q3

The QES only take a couple of minutes to complete – it is anonymous and your support would be greatly appreciated. The QES Q1 is open for responses until midnight on Monday 07 March 2022.  Take part in the QES now. Photo credit: Getty Images/Chamber Canva Pro usage 2022

A brand-new concept for business professionals under 35 was launched on Wednesday 9th February 2022.  The Co.next concept was launched; a brand new initiative aimed at empowering, engaging, and encouraging the next generation of business professionals. This was the first opportunity for the Norfolk business community to hear more about the programme and share their thoughts on how this will be shaped going forward. Co.next has been created by The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce to provide a structured, inclusive, collaborative, vibrant, and Norfolk-wide approach to support working professionals and future leaders 35 and under with appropriate, engaging, networking events and knowledge hubs. Chaired by James Groves of Indigo Swan, the board supporting this initiative consists of a range of passionate business leaders, who are on a mission to help shape the next generation of business support. The board consists of Chris Sargisson from The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, Rebecca Headden from R13 Recruitment, Stokely Howard from Trendy Grandad Creative Agency, Warren Salmons from Morgan Sindall, Kerry-Anne Lyme from Larking Gown, and Alex Sellers from Turning Factor. They are backed by an advisory board of seven dedicated under 35s, who will provide a continuous feedback loop and guidance as to how to ensure the concept stays relevant. The event saw over 90 attendees of all industries and backgrounds. Presentations were delivered by James Groves, Rebecca Headden, and Stokely Howard, followed by an in-depth Q&A with the board. There was a wide mix of feedback and ideas from the audience, which will be used to shape and grow the concept moving forward. Mark Juniper of Ascott Lloyd says, “It was a great event and well organised. I really enjoyed it and the buzz in the room would have given you an idea that all the rest of the attendees did as well.” Grace Appleby of Yawn Marketing says, ‘It was an amazing atmosphere; to be in a room with people who feel so passionately about the same case – promoting and empowering young professionals – was electric”. As part of this offering, The Norfolk Chambers of Commerce has been working in collaboration with Stokely Howard from Trendy Grandad Creative Agency to deliver the highly successful GEN-E events. These are dynamic networking events for under 35s in Norfolk, each of which has seen an incredible response, the last of which sold 100 tickets in one hour.   Photo credit: Norfolk Chambers

Apprentice of the year – Intermediate and Advanced Level (Level 2/3) An apprenticeship isn’t just a qualification! Co.ngratulations Sam! We’re so proud of Sam’s journey with us here at the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce! Sam completed an apprenticeship in Business Administration, whilst being thrown in at the deep end in his role within our busy International Trade Department throughout Brexit. The training can be trying and complicated, but Sam worked brilliantly and we are thrilled to see his hard work is being recognised through this award! Meet Sam