But did you know there is already voucher scheme available, where small businesses can claim up to £3,000 against the cost of connection?
Full fibre broadband connections offer the fastest and most reliable speeds available, and the Department of Digital, Culture Media and Sport has recently announced a UK-wide £67mGigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which is open to Norfolk businesses and residents.
Gigabit vouchers can be used by small businesses and the local communities surrounding them to contribute to the installation cost of a gigabit capable connection. Businesses can claim up to £3,000 against the cost of connection, either individually or as part of a group project.
It is also possible for multiple businesses to pool their vouchers i.e. if there are 10 businesses on a business park and they all apply, that’s £30,000 towards the connection costs (for installation and other year 1 costs).
With the Government’s recent decision to approve expansion of Heathrow Airport having been welcomed as offering a post-Brexit boost for exporters, it is easy to forget that more than £7 million worth of goods are traded through nearby Gatwick Airport.
Now a new report aims to highlight the role of Gatwick in supporting international trade.
Published by Oxford Economics, Gatwick’s Economic Contribution Through Trade and Investment examines the contribution that the airport makes to the British economy through its role in facilitating international trade and investment, both directly and indirectly.
Air cargo operations saw some 97,000t move through the airport in 2017, with an estimated value of £7.5 billion in international goods transported between the UK and overseas markets.
Exports from the UK accounted for 70% of that trade value, imports making up the other 30%.
Oxford Economics calculates that, once multiplier impacts are taken into account, the trade activity centred on Gatwick Airport added £7.2 billion to the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year.
Those multiplier activities also helped, claims the report, to sustain 113,800 jobs across the UK.
Much of the region’s economic activity is centred around the airport, which is why there is a greater concentration of company headquarters clustered in the region around Gatwick than in London noted former Transport Minister Steve Norris, who is now Chair of the Gatwick Growth Board.
Those high-value industries attract significant foreign investment and trade activity, he added, with access to international markets being a key reason why they invest and locate in the region.
Commenting for Gatwick Diamond Business, which represents businesses across the region, Chief Executive Jeremy Taylor said that, while the report highlights Gatwick’s important role supporting regional exporters, it also shows that much more can be done to promote the airport to other businesses and cargo companies.
The UK Government is seeking to enhance trade with China, and is now at a crucial point in bilateral discussions where it needs to understand key opportunities and constraints in the Chinese market, and the priority negotiating areas it should focus on. It would be very helpful if you could give your views on the following questions:
What are the five current Chinese regulations or policies that have the greatest negative impact on your business today?
What are the most significant potential opportunities for your business in China that you are restricted from accessing today?
What are the most effective steps you’ve seen taken to improve bilateral trade and investment with China? (this could include by other countries)
What are the most effective steps that DIT (or other parts of the UK government) should take to increase bilateral trade and investment in your sector with China? What are the areas and opportunities in your sector that you would expect the Chinese government or businesses to have as their key asks of DIT? If these were agreed to, would they have material impact on your business?
Please could you submit your answers to [email protected] by close of business on 6 September 2018.
For the first time this year the Norfolk Chamber team entered the Break Charity Grand Norwich Duck Race. After much deliberation, voting and duck puns around the office, we finally came together and decided on Harry Quacker and the Chamber of Commerce. Transformed over the weekend by our very own staff member Sam, Harry was ready for his big reveal, and the race itself! He went on plenty of trips since his reveal including cocktail making, networking and Norfolk Day celebrations. On race day, Break Charity had plenty of activities including a duck parade and food stlls lined up outside the Ribs of Beef Public House. The smaller duck race began at 1:45pm whilst the large, painted ducks were prepared for the main event. At 2:15pm the large ducks were set loose down the river Wensum, one headed for victory. In the end the Inspired DuckaRoo by Inspired Youth was crowned the winner. Harry Quacker didn’t have the best of starts, getting stuck in the willow with many other ducks. After getting a quick lift on a paddle board he zoomed ahead to third place and held the position most of the way. Sadly, about two meters from the finish line Harry got stuck at the edge of the river and his third place victory was lost. The Chamber team had a fantastic day supporting such a great event.
Norfolk County Council are proposing to improve Riverside Road for pedestrians by widening and extending the pavement that runs along the opposite side of the road to the water. The project starts at the junction of Riverside Road with Quay Road/Pier Walk and runs northwards towards Williamson’s Lookout. This section is about 1.2km long and plans include widening the footway to a minimum of around 1.5m throughout this length. Dropped kerbs will be installed where vehicle access is required. There are three main elements to the proposals:
Resurfacing and widening the existing footway and replacing the kerbs in the following sections:
95m between Riverside Road/Pier Walk/Quay Road junction and the RNLI parking triangle
130m between Kingfisher Amateur Boxing Club and Dock Tavern Lane
220m between 92 Riverside Road and the steps past South Icehouse Hill, which lead up to the High Street
Installing a new footway where no footway currently exists:
220m between the RNLI parking triangle and Kingfisher Amateur Boxing Club
Introducing two short lengths of double yellow lines to help traffic flow. The PDF plan showing the location is below.
How to comment
They would like to hear your views on these proposals. You can send your feedback either by emailing [email protected] or writing to: Riverside Road consultation Transport for Great Yarmouth, floor 2 Norfolk County Council County Hall Martineau Lane Norwich NR1 2DH The deadline for comments is 5pm on Friday 5 October 2018.
The first ever ‘Norfolk Day’ took place this year on Friday 27 July, and it was great to see the business community of the county supporting this campaign.
The campaign was supported by BBC Radio Norfolk, EDP/Archant, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by Woodfordes Brewery and Richardson Hemsby Beach Holiday Park.
The day was an opportunity to shout about how great our county is, from our innovative business to the fantastic landscapes.
We were overwhelmed by the support and the number of Norfolk businesses who got involved from holding their own events, to creating a #15secbiz video as part of our Norfolk Day campaign. Read more about our activity here.
We are keen to hear businesses’ views and opinions on Norfolk Day. What are your thoughts on the day, and what do you think could be improved for next year? Please complete a short online survey below or here.
(function(t,e,s,n){var o,a,c;t.SMCX=t.SMCX||[],e.getElementById(n)||(o=e.getElementsByTagName(s),a=o[o.length-1],c=e.createElement(s),c.type=”text/javascript”,c.async=!0,c.id=n,c.src=[“https:”===location.protocol?”https://”:”https://”,”widget.surveymonkey.com/collect/website/js/tRaiETqnLgj758hTBazgdx895tBy6q1NCwbdKWgPc8T_2BG2EUFOww8GiDr6wy5Ac5.js”].join(“”),a.parentNode.insertBefore(c,a))})(window,document,”script”,”smcx-sdk”); Create your own user feedback survey
The Third River Crossing scheme involves the construction, operation and maintenance of a new bridge over the River Yare in Great Yarmouth. The crossing links the A47 at Harfrey’s Roundabout with south Denes Road.
In Spring 2019 Norfolk County Council intends to make an application to Secretary of State for a Developer Consent Order for the Third Crossing.
They are proposing a double leaf bascule bridge (a type of lifting bridge – similar in operation to the existing Haven Bridge.) Although the height and horizontal alignment of the bridge deck is already fixed, they would like to retain some flexibility regarding the range of structure design and opening mechanisms being considered.
Commenting on the labour market figures for July 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Robust jobs growth, together with another drop-in unemployment, is further evidence of the continued strength of the UK labour market.
“The second successive slowdown in regular pay growth is disappointing. This means that earnings growth in real terms remains in positive territory by just a small margin and so is unlikely to provide much of a boost to consumer spending power. UK wage growth continues to be undermined by poor productivity and the marked impact of underemployment. The failure to tackle the escalating burden of upfront business costs is also weighing on the extent to which pay is able to rise.
“The increase in the number of job vacancies to a new record high is further evidence of chronic skills shortages, a key business concern. Firms continue to report that they are facing an uphill struggle to find staff with the right skills, which is stifling business activity and productivity.
“While we expect that interest rates will rise sooner rather than later, with earnings growth underwhelming there remains sufficient scope for the MPC to keep a rates hike on hold for longer, particularly given the current economic and political uncertainty. Instead, more must be done to support firms looking to recruit and upskill their workforce, including reforming the Apprenticeship Levy to ensure its fit for purpose, easing upfront business costs and delivering a future migration system that helps, rather than hinders UK productivity and growth.”
The Department for International Trade is looking for companies to join Exporting is GREAT, its export-focused campaign, aimed at helping to drive substantial growth of the UK economy. The goal is to create a culture of exporting in the UK, generated by a community of businesses who share their exporting experiences to encourage and help each other. These businesses will inspire more and more companies to start their own export journey, making selling overseas an integral part of their business growth strategy. At the heart of the campaign are its ‘Export Champions’; everyday businesses of all shapes and sizes from around the UK that are proudly selling overseas. By becoming an Export Champion, you will join a nationwide network of UK companies that are ambassadors for exporting; sharing success stories, offering practical advice and leading by example. You will also have access to a suite of customisable digital Exporting is GREAT assets to show your support for the campaign. DIT would like any exporting business – whatever their product or service, wherever they’re based, to join the campaign – and become an Export Champion. You can sign up here.
British beef producers will soon be able to export their produce to China after a 20-year long ban has been lifted.
Describing China’s decision to stop its restrictions as a landmark move, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) predicted that the export opportunities could see British producers generate £250 million over the first five years of a new market access agreement.
The prohibition on imports of British beef was introduced in the aftermath of the BSE outbreak.
The decision to lift the ban was taken, Defra explains, after several years of site inspections and negotiations between British and Chinese officials.
Acknowledging the painstaking and collaborative work by representatives of both Defra and the agri-food industry, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said that the move is fantastic news for the UK’s food and farming industry.
Speaking for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Dr Phil Hadley also noted the efforts that had gone into securing agreement with the Chinese Government.
“We now look forward to seeing UK beef exported to [China] for the first time in over 20 years,” he said, adding that the Board will begin the work on the export protocols and approvals that will allow commercial shipments to begin.
With the ban lifted, market access negotiations are expected to take about three years.
China is currently the UK’s eighth largest export market for agri-food products. Figures show that Chinese consumers bought over £560 million worth of British food and drink in 2017.
Great news, the new edition of Norfolk Voice is out! This edition May/June focuses on GDPR. In our main feature, you will find an eight-page GDPR pull out with all you need to know, to get really for the 25 May 2018. Read about Dr Adam Marshall in our big interview, who is driving forward the British Chamber of Commerce, he gives us an insight into his vision, and challenges ahead for businesses.
Don’t miss out on how you can apply for the BCC Awards, and Norfolk Business Awards. We want to celebrate your great work in this region, so get that application filled in! In addition, we talk to Michael Baldwin from Bank House about his role as General Manager and President of the West Norfolk Chamber Council.
You can access the Norfolk Voice in several forms, digitally and of course print. For the digital version click on the link below. https://issuu.com/distinctivepublishing/docs/nv46
Don’t forget we love to hear from you and your businesses, your successes, your awards and creative journeys. You can get directly with Dominique on the email below.
If you would like to receive a hardcopy of the Norfolk Voice magazine please do let me know. [email protected]
UK producers and product users are being invited by the Department for International Trade (DIT) to give their views on existing EU trade remedy measures.
Publishing the provisional findings of an earlier consultation on the issue, DIT has now issued a call for evidence aimed at identifying which existing EU anti-dumping or anti-subsidy measures should be maintained when the UK begins to operate an independent trade remedies framework.
That earlier consultation elicited 74 responses, of which 47 were from producers and 27 from other parties.
An initial assessment of the data provided by respondents has determined, the Department notes, that 42 existing EU measures should be maintained, with appropriate levels of duties to be set.
The measures to be maintained will be reviewed by the UK’s new Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) and adjusted if necessary to ensure that they reflect the UK-specific market situation and injury to UK industry.
DIT also found that 72 measures did not meet its criteria and will not be reviewed or put in place once the UK begins to operate its own trade remedies system.
Anyone with an interest in reviewing the provisional findings and in providing any further evidence to the Department is now being given an opportunity to do so. That includes those who might wish to apply for measures to be maintained, but did not do so earlier.
Further details of the call for evidence can be found at www.gov.uk. The deadline for responses is 24 August 2018.