Chamber News

A year on from the deal which defined the terms in which the UK would depart from the EU, the BCC and ChamberCustoms have continued to campaign for greater clarity on the UK’s future trading relationship with the EU and to provide answers on the practical changes that will affect business. With the ending of Staged Customs Controls on 31 December, what impact will a fully controlled UK border have on traders. For lots of traders, the UK departure from the EU customs union has brought little change. Supplies have continued to arrive at their business, there has been no real increase in paperwork and their EU suppliers seem happy to keep delivering. If this is your business our webinar will cover what records you should have kept but didn’t. What customs entries you should have made but missed. And more importantly, what action you can take now to avoid future fines and penalties? If you have any questions, or need any help from our International Team – Contact us at: [email protected]

• 45% of firms in a new survey reported difficulties adapting to changes in rules for buying or selling goods brought about by the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), while 15% reported that this was easy 
• Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) said they faced difficulties of buying or selling services, while 14% found it easy 
• 1 in 5 (20%) reported difficulties moving people, while 8% found it easy 
• The BCC also launched a report alongside the survey which explores solutions to the issues 

New data released today from a survey of 981 businesses, including those from Norfolk, carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce has thrown sharp focus on the impact the UK-EU trade deal (TCA) is having on UK firms one year from its implementation. The figures show rises in the proportion of firms reporting difficulties with the various changes brought about to UK-EU trade compared to when BCC last asked the same questions in January.  

The BCC has concurrently launched it’s ‘TCA – One Year On’ report, which explores the experiences of businesses with the new trade relationship over the past year, and ways in which that could be improved in the short, medium and long term.  Which was featured on the BBC.

 When asked how easy or difficult has it been for your business or supply chain to adapt to changes flowing from the UK-EU TCA areas across the following areas, the responses from November 2021:

• Buying or selling goods: Very/Relatively Easy – 15%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 45%, Too Early to Say – 9%, N/A – 32%
• Buying or selling services: Very/Relatively Easy – 14%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 23%, Too Early to Say – 9%, N/A – 54%
• Moving people: Very/Relatively Easy – 8%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 20%, Too Early to Stay – 7%, N/A – 64%
• Transferring data: Very/Relatively Easy – 17%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 9%, Too Early to Say – 12%, N/A – 62%

UK exporters were more likely than firms overall to report difficulties across these areas. For buying and selling goods, 60% faced difficulties; for buying and selling services, 30%; for moving people, 24%; and for transferring data, 11%.

These figures showed increases in the proportion reporting difficulties in each area than when the BCC last asked the same question in a survey in January 2021:

• Buying or selling goods: Very/Relatively Easy – 10%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 30%, Too Early to Say – 16%, N/A – 45%
• Buying or selling services: Very/Relatively Easy – 10%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 14%, Too Early to Say – 19%, N/A – 58%
• Moving people: Very/Relatively Easy – 8%, Very/Relatively Difficult – 9%, Too Early to Stay – 18%, N/A – 65%
• Transferring data – Question Not Asked in January Survey

Of the firms who reported that they have faced difficulties in adapting to changes, the survey followed up by asking what the specific problem was. The more than 400 business case studies we collected showed that while problems are occurring across a wide range of areas, the following areas were consistently referenced:

• VAT requirements such as the need for a fiscal representative and delays or returned goods despite VAT being paid
• Additional customs procedures and checks requiring additional paperwork and causing delays
• New rules of origin requirements which have required some firms to change production processes or audit complex supply chains
• Difficulty recruiting staff due to EU workers returning home (Covid is cited as another cause for this)
• The rules of the Northern Ireland Protocol causing increased costs and administration for businesses in Northern Ireland and Great Britain
• The loss of equivalence in areas such as financial services, medical devices, and certification marking has caused increased costs and a loss of competitiveness to EU firms

Liam Smyth, Managing Director of ChamberCustoms, said:

 “What these figures and our experiences on the front line with ChamberCustoms this year show is that there are several significant and specific issues that must be resolved so that importers and exporters can fully play their part in the recovery from the pandemic.

“At ChamberCustoms we work day in and day out with companies to help them navigate the complexities of international trade. We’ve seen a huge demand for our services in relation to trading with the EU since the implementation of the TCA, and we know first-hand what difficulties firms on the ground are facing.

“We need to see Government reach an agreement on VAT cooperation with the EU to reduce the number of UK companies requiring a fiscal intermediary to conduct cross-border trade – similar, for example, to the situation in Norway.

“It would also be advantageous to make agreements with the EU and member states, on widening access for labour mobility and mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

“The two sides must reach an agreed compromise on the Northern Ireland Protocol, ideally early in 2022, to ensure stability in NI and for the overall UK-EU trading relationship.

“These actions, as well as the further recommendations listed in our report, will serve to improve trading conditions and let businesses get on with growing our economy and generating prosperity.”

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“These results, especially when compared to our data from January, give us a strong indication of the experiences on the ground for businesses who are dealing with the changes to the UK-EU trading relationship. While the data does suggest, one year into the implementation of the deal, that trade is becoming more difficult rather than smoother, we do believe there are solutions which can improve conditions for our import and export businesses.

 “These data certainly do illustrate that the issues with the TCA are not ‘teething problems’ but more structural defects that, whilst fixable, if not attended to will lead to long term damage to our import and export sectors.”

“Businesses want political leaders on both sides to move on from the debates of the past and find ways to allow them to trade more freely. The Government have ambitious goals for the UK export sector, which we share, and if these are to be met then we must improve the experience of firms trading with our nearest and largest trading partner.

“We hope that these figures, along with our report detailing the experiences of businesses and suggesting ways forward, will provide an opportunity for an honest dialogue about how we can improve our trading relationship with the EU. Government needs to ensure that our importers and exporters can fully play their part in the UK’s economic recovery by unleashing their ability to trade as freely as possible with European markets.” Photo credit: Getty Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022

Chancellor, Rishi Sunak has today set out a £1bn fund to help businesses hit by the rise in Covid cases, including the leisure and hospitality sector. Hospitality businesses like pubs and restaurants will be able to apply for cash grants of up to £6,000 per premises.  The government will also help some firms with the cost of sick pay for Covid-related absences.  He also announced an extra £30m to help theatres and museums. Many hospitality and leisure firms have been hit by a collapse in bookings and reduced footfall due to people’s fears over the spread of the Omicron variant.  Mr Sunak said the new support was “generous” and recognised the situation facing businesses in the run-up to Christmas. Comment on the chancellor’s announcement, Nova Fairbank, Chief Operating Officer for Norfolk Chambers said: “These measures will provide some welcome respite to many of those businesses who have been hit hardest by the latest Covid measures. “The Chancellor and his team have engaged with the British Chambers of Commerce in talks over the past week, considered the experiences of Chamber business communities and the proposals the Chamber network has put to them. “We are pleased that the chancellor heard our call for additional grant funding for hospitality and leisure businesses, which will provide some much-needed support in the face of this increasingly difficult trading period.  Clarity and speed will be needed to ensure that these grants are paid out swiftly to help these hard-pressed firms weather the next few weeks. “Whilst these measures are a positive starting point, if restrictions persist or are tightened further, then we would need to see a wider support package, equal to the scale of any new measures, put in place.” Photo credit: Getty Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022

The importance of being a Strategic Partner with The Norfolk Chambers matters because… For our company, although we are now a sizeable proposition who can offer expertise within every facet of our business, people locally especially had not heard of the Ascot Lloyd brand. Having two key offices within Norfolk, many Independent Financial Advisers based within the area, who look after hundreds of client’s financial needs already, we needed to “heighten our brand awareness” and gain that all important visibility. Whilst this remains an ongoing exercise, being involved within the Norfolk Chambers and specifically being a strategic partner is really helping us gain momentum in this area. Equally the importance of educating individuals around all aspects of what we do and why its important to have the right trusted network of professional advisers on hand is something we are passionate about. The Chamber see it the same way as us and we share that role in delivering that message to local businesses. The invites that you receive to attend special events, only available to strategic partners and the assistance gained around the delivery of bespoke campaigns is certainly starting to pay dividends for us. What positives your business has seen in 2021 The positives that can be taken from 2021 and how the pandemic has played out for us as a business have been numerous, however here are a few of the key ones:- ·         It has really focused our efforts around technology and what is important moving forward – one such thing that has become apparent for us is that we will harness new technology to be able to better work alongside our advisers, thus complementing and improving their working rather than replace ·         It’s given us that all important time to think and review existing practices, enabling us to enhance existing processes etc ·         Although markets were affected as part of the pandemic, we have seen these recover and perform well. This was helped in the early part of the pandemic by the experience that we have by way of our adviser population, who went out to all their clients to provide that all important reassurance they needed. Clearly this has also greatly helped build deeper, more meaningful trusting relationships. What does 2022 look like for Ascot Lloyd? 2022 looks exciting in many ways for our business, however of course one thing that hasn’t ever changed is our commitment to reassuring and helping our clients, staff and our local communities, which is unwavering. Our main priority is to be there help our clients to shape their financial future allowing them to do the things they wish to do in life and Ascot Lloyd will be a constant within that. We are here for the long term, no matter what twists and turns life takes. We remain super ambitious still around our growth strategy, with acquisitions looking set to continue. We remain adaptable both to the pandemic situation and our clients needs, certainly around how clients now wish to communicate with us, in terms of virtually (through use of technology) and the traditional method of that good old “face to face” meeting.  

As we say goodbye to, what has to be, in anyone’s book, a particularly challenging year, you have to marvel at what the Norfolk business community have achieved.  Despite the pandemic, lockdowns, partial lockdowns, reduced staffing levels due to illness and tough financial positions, we are in awe of the resilience and fortitude of the businesses and their teams across Norfolk. It’s very easy to forget that at the heart of any business, whether you are an engineering company, or a digital marketing agency, it’s all about the people.  The people, their skills and their attitude will make the difference between a successful business and not. The Chambers remit is to connect, support and give voice to every business – our team engages daily with lots and lots of enthusiastic and knowledgeable people, who are central to everything we do.  It is your expertise, thought leadership and brilliance that we are broadcasting, using our website, social media and digital media platforms, such as our podcast, Norfolk’s Voice and The Norfolk Knowledge Hub. Our biggest asset is our ability to collaborate with businesses and this is visible at our flagship events like Talking Tech and B2B.  As a result of the pandemic, Talking Tech 2021 was the Chambers’ first large scale face to face conference in nearly 19 months.  We were so pleased to welcome so many different businesses and real, live, actual people, despite having to scale back to be covid secure.  The expertise and knowledge from our speakers was amazing – as was the enthusiasm and engagement of all those who attended.  We also used Talking Tech 2021 to help Norfolk County Council launch their Digital Strategy – which aims to make Norfolk the best-connected rural county in the UK. By far our biggest and most collaborative event was B2B 2021.  This exhibition is a huge undertaking, made even more challenging, when trying to deliver it during a pandemic.  It usually takes 6 – 9 months to plan and execute.  In July 2021, the government announced that large scale events could take place – that gave us just 3 months to deliver B2B, but we were determined! With a huge amount of effort from our superb Chambers team; a collaboration with Huxley Events, to support the actual delivery; and critically, the enthusiasm, dedication and ‘can do’ attitude of every single one of our 120 exhibitors – the event was totally and utterly brilliant.  It demonstrated community spirit and the wide-spread support of the Norfolk business community, but most of all, it was about people supporting and engaging people. ‘What You Need is What We Do’ and our brilliant Chambers team will continue to deliver the engagement, support and connections you need in 2022.  We have The Big Debate coming up in early February.  In the last few weeks we have been asking you what are the 4 topics you want to debate?  So far, the front runners include: People & Skills, Transport & Infrastructure and Climate Change.   You still can influence this, as the survey is open until Christmas Eve.  We very much look forward to bringing you some amazing and thought-provoking speakers and panellists. What else is coming in 2022?  Our new website; more technology innovation to support our members; lots more thought leadership from across the business community; greater engagement and lots of networking throughout the whole of Norfolk; and most of all we will be listening and engaging with you, our customers. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe, prosperous and Happy New Year. Nova

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of Brexit, when the UK left the European Union.  The UK left the Brexit standstill transition period on its expiry on Friday 1 January 2021. The terms of the new EU-UK trading arrangements – in the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) – took effect the same day. In accordance with this, the EU decided to introduce full border controls on GB goods from Friday 1 January 2021.  The UK government decided to defer the implementation of inbound GB border controls in respect of EU goods. That deferment period is set to end on 31 December 2021 and Customs and Border controls on EU goods will be phased in from Saturday 1 January 2022. Commenting on the forthcoming border changes, Nova Fairbank, Chief Operating Officer for Norfolk Chambers said: “The cost of importing and exporting has increased considerably since Brexit in January 2021.  We have also seen a reduction in the volume of import and exports between the UK and the EU.  The Norfolk business community have persevered and in the main, managed to get a handle on the requirements for importing and exporting their goods between the UK and the EU. “However, the last 12 months have been a transition period, but from 01 January 2022, there will be a significant tightening of the rules and some very important changes. “Changes include, when moving goods from the EU to the UK – you will now need to have completed the paperwork before the goods arrive at the UK border and we understand that we should expect approx. 351 tariff amendments, so you need to check your commodity codes.  There will also be a new Goods Vehicle Movement System introduced and EU customers and suppliers will need to register for the UK database IPAFFS to pre-notify on plant and products of animal origin. “It is vitally important that businesses understand the forthcoming changes and implement them correctly to avoid incurring delays and to enable their goods to be imported and exported across the GB/EU borders smoothly.  Use our business checklist to understand what you need to do and to find the links to the new systems being introduced.” Click here to view the business checklist for the GB/EU border changes in 2022. Photo credit: Photo Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022

Commenting on news of an Australia-UK trade agreement, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said: “Businesses will welcome this confirmation that the Australia-UK trade agreement has been finalised. There are opportunities for exporters in a new speedier customs process, zero tariffs on the vast majority of UK exports, improved market access on services, free flow of data and generous provisions on labour mobility for under 35s for up to 3 years. “We will carefully examine the draft text of the trade agreement but look forward to it being in force by the middle of 2022. The key test of the success of this agreement will be the value it delivers in practice for small and medium sized businesses in the UK looking to export. “Accredited Chambers of Commerce also look forward to working with the Department for International Trade to bring this deal to life for businesses and support them in taking advantage of the opportunities it presents.” David McCredie, the CEO of the Australian British Chamber of Commerce which represents the interests of 25,000 businesses engaged in trade across the two countries said: “The potential impact is huge. This Free Trade Agreement is one of the most ambitious agreements signed by Australia and reflects the strength of historical and ongoing trading ties between the two nations. “While we have all heard of the impact on agriculture and trade, our members and I are hugely encouraged by the provisions which address issues of skilled and experienced workers, the growing need to address digital aspects and the potential for cross-border investment.” Key elements of the FTA:

• Zero-tariff, zero-quotas on vast majority of UK exports to Australia from Day 1 the agreement is in force. Tariffs on whisky, gin & wine – abolished.
• In the UK, will be lengthy transition period over 15 years on tariffs on certain Australian agri-food imports to safeguard UK domestic producers. Tariff rate quotas will be applied over the transition period.
• Provides market access into Australian industrial products markets for UK goods from Day 1 in force.

• On professional services – accountancy, legal – considerably improved market access, on business travel and terms & conditions of access. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications. Market access provided unless dealt with in reservations.
• Reciprocal labour mobility scheme for under 35s for up to 3 years. Also reciprocal removal of economic needs tests on sponsor visas. Balanced guarantees that are broadly reciprocal to maintain visa pathways for service suppliers for a substantial number of sectors.
• Equivalence on SPS measures – allowing for digital Export Health Certificates to be used.
• Government procurement opportunities expanded.
• Agreement provides for free flow of data, e-contracts and deepens co-operation on AI and cyber-security.
• SME chapter provisions focuses on tangible measures to make trade happen – sharing best practice on trade programmes, having dedicated tariff websites, and setting maximum time 48 hours for goods to be in customs transit.

• Climate – Paris commitments referred to in sustainability chapter and have retained rights to regulate.
• Digital trade chapter will facilitate trade in goods and improve speed of movement through customs processes (48 hours).
• Specific annexes in agreement on medical devices (plus a side letter) and cosmetics. Agreement on co-operation on veterinary medicines.

  Photo credit: Pexels/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022

A word as the year draws to a close and boy, what a tough year it’s been, my two ‘all embracing’ words to every brilliant Norfolk businesses are ‘thank you’. Thank you for all your positivity, stamina, continued fortitude and support for others. Brilliant, brilliant you. Thank you, because Chambers only works when we able to match the energy you create. We grab it in all its forms, amplify it, share it and the region benefits as a direct result. When I look back over the year, all I see day after day is thousands of people in the widest range of businesses bouncing back with smiles and enthusiasm. Willingly sharing essential knowledge and heart felt experiences via our knowledge hubs though to selling out the widest range of networking events, conferences and our flagship B2B event. I mean, who knew that the greatest recovery for lockdown blues would be paddleboarding? So then, what’s coming in 2022?  Building on our theme of ‘What you need is what we do’ we have a whole raft of innovations ‘popping out’ next year. For example, a dynamic replacement for our very old website is launching. This new customer centric web platform is powered by a replacement of our even older CRM system. Both built during lockdown using Norfolk businesses. This substantial investment will, for the first time allow is to truly innovate the chambers digital offering for at least the next 5 years. Also two new unique initiatives to mention, starting with the Business Climate Leaders program ‘A free to access programme for every business, designed to educate, enable and support SMEs to seek, understand and apply appropriate, tested actions and activities that will put them on the path to Net Zero’. The aspect of this programme that I love the most is, that success starts with each business who wishes start, or further develop their Net Zero journey, elects their own Business Climate Leader. That elected person will act as the organisation’s key point of contact and will work directly with and within the BCL Programme and with other climate leaders to get that organisation on their Net Zero journey and help keep them on track. (back to chambers matching the energy you put in). Secondly, Co.next. Launcing now to provide a structured, inclusive, collaborative, vibrant and Norfolk wide approach to supporting working professionals under the age of 35 with appropriate and engaging knowledge and networking programs. Oh yes, and of course heaps more business led support, events, knowledge hours, engagements all delivered by your amazing chamber team. So, enough of my ‘mardeling’s’ Happy Christmas everyone, I raise a glass to you all and it the spirit of the region we work in, ‘ You all keep ‘a troshing’

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, CBE, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The need for the Chief Medical Officer to advise the public to ‘de-prioritise social contacts’ at the Prime Minister’s press conference last week will almost certainly have an enormous impact for businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector. Despite this we still heard no news of any new financial support measures coming from Government to help those businesses, and others badly affected by the current restrictions. “With the UK recording its highest ever number of Covid cases in a single day on 15 December, and this being set to rise further in the coming days and weeks, businesses now face the two-punch combination of serious issues with staff absence and plummeting consumer confidence. “Until now the Treasury has stepped up at every stage of this crisis to help offset restrictions that limited business’ ability to trade fully, which is what makes its complete absence at this crucial moment all the more baffling. “Businesses have heard nothing from the Treasury since this new round of Covid interventions arrived over a week ago. Not even a rationale has been provided for why it believes no new support is required. They deserve better. “Many of these firms, who have survived nearly two years of challenging trading conditions, are now seeing their vital festive income melt away in front of their eyes. “A great number of sectors have been impacted by these restrictions already and the number of firms at risk is growing every day. The Treasury knows what can be done, we have already written with a suite of policy measures they can put in place right now to alleviate this crisis.”

Commenting on the inflation statistics for November 2021, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Head of Economics at the BCC Suren Thiru, said: “The ONS latest figures confirms that the surge in inflation continued unabated in November. “The increase largely reflected higher fuel prices and strong base effects which pushed up clothing and footwear prices in comparison with November 2020. Stronger growth in producer prices points to an acceleration of cost pressures in supply chains, indicating that inflation will drift higher over the coming months. “It is concerning that inflation is outpacing wages and if this disparity continues to increase as we predict, real household incomes will be squeezed further, dampening consumer spending, and weakening overall economic activity. “Inflationary pressures are expected to intensify in the near term as the rising cost of imported raw materials, higher energy prices and the reversal of the VAT reduction for hospitality and tourism drives inflation materially higher by the middle of 2022. “Omicron could accelerate the current surge in inflation if restrictions in the UK and overseas to combat the new variant triggers more supply chain disruption. “Despite surging inflation, a December interest rate rise remains improbable given concerns over Omicron. While rates will rise sooner rather than later, with the current inflationary spike mostly driven by global supply constraints and price pressures, higher rates will do little to curb further price rises. “Greater support is immediately needed for those businesses impacted by Plan B, including making additional grant funding available and reverting the VAT for hospitality and tourism back to its emergency rate of 5%.” Photo credit: Getty Images/ Chamber Canva Pro 2022

09 and 10 March 2022 Royal Norfolk Showground, Costessey, Norfolk, NR5 0TT The Norfolk & Suffolk Skills and Careers Festival is back for another interactive event aimed at young people to help inspire them for their future career and to demonstrate the various options available. Groups from schools and colleges will arrive in organised time slots throughout the two-day festival. Individuals are welcome to attend too. The event aims to attract 7,500 visitors. Commenting on the event, Andrea Wilson said: “This is a great opportunity for Norfolk busineses to get involved.  You can connect with Norfolk and Suffolk’s young people – your potential future workforce, both to demonstrate and talk about the key skills involved in your sector and to break down unhelpful myths. The Festival will provide a platform to connect with talented youngsters who could become gifted prospective employees.” The Festival will be structured around thirteen sectors including: Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, ICT – Digital & Creative, Financial & Business Services, Leisure, Tourism & Culture, Food &Farming, Science & Innovation, Health & Social Care, Construction, Logistics, Education & Training, Public Services, Retail, and Enterprise & Careers advice. The Festival is run on a not for profit basis and the organising partners include: Norfolk County Council, Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, Archant, City College Norwich, Easton College, Beacon East, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and Norwich School. COVID Information: Please be aware the organsiers will be enlarging the spacing between exhibitors, increasing ventilation in the venue, providing sanitising stations and face coverings will be recommended. To book your stand click here to complete the booking form. For more information, please click here.

Action for Importers – new requirements for importing products of animal origin (POAO) and animal by-products (ABP) from the European Union (EU) to Great Britain (GB) Following the Government announcement in September 2021 that certain EU to GB Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) import controls will begin from 1 July 2022, we want to remind you of the requirements that will still come into force from 1 January 2022. Whilst certification, documentary, ID and physical checks, by commodity groups for products of animal origin, animal by-products, plant and plant products, will be introduced in three phases between July and November 2022, the requirement for pre-notifying consignments starts on 1 January 2022. From 1 January 2022, businesses importing products of animal origin, animal by-products and high risk foods not of animal origin (HRFNAO) must pre-notify consignments at least four hours in advance of arriving into Great Britain. The pre-notification must be made via the Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS). To help you get ready for these new requirements we have incorporated key information you need into this document. Please take the time to read and understand the actions needed to continue importing from the EU into GB from 1 January 2022. Additionally, you can refer to the Border Operating Model for further information. You can view and download the Border Operating Model below  20211117_november_bordersopmodel_final.pdf