Chamber News

Commenting on ONS Labour Market statistics for August 2021 published today, BCC Head of Economics, Suren Thiru, said:

“The latest figures confirm that the UK jobs market is recovering strongly as the boost to demand from the easing of restrictions helped drive higher payroll employment in July.  

“Record vacancies confirm ongoing recruitment difficulties. Although the changes to self-isolation rules will help, with many firms facing a more deep-rooted squeeze on labour supply from the impact of Covid and Brexit, staff shortages may persistently weigh on economic activity.  

“Although labour demand is currently robust, with firm’s finances still recovering from Covid and skills mismatches likely to limit the extent to which those seeking jobs after furlough can move into available roles, unemployment may still drift somewhat higher in the near term. 

“Alongside rapid retraining opportunities, government should extend the Kickstart scheme into 2022 and expand it to enable older workers to gain new skills and experience. A more flexible immigration system is also needed to ensure that firms get access to the workers they need.”

From 16th August, the following applies to anyone who has been pinged or contact traced as having come into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19:

Fully vaccinated people

• Those who are under 18 or fully vaccinated will no longer have to self-isolate (fully vaccinated means having had both doses plus 2 weeks)
• The person no longer has a legal duty to self-isolate and therefore will not have to inform their employer – but they may wish to do so
• The employer does not need to verify vaccine status or store this health data – see Q&A below
• NHS Test & Trace will still contact the individual to make them aware and will verify their vaccine status
• They will be strongly recommended to take a PCR test, but not required to do so

From 16 August, people who are unvaccinated, or had one dose, or a second dose within two weeks:

• Will have to self isolate for the required time
• This is still a legal duty and the same as currently stands before August 16th

Summary: The House Rules

If you develop symptoms, you must self-isolate and take a PCR test

If you are contact traced and not fully vaccinated, you must legally self-isolate

If you are instructed to self-isolate, you must inform your employer

If you are double vaccinated, none of the above apply but you should continue to take caution, social distance, use of facemasks and follow government guidelines

Business Q&A

Q: Can my employer require proof of my vaccination status?

A: COVID status is special category data, as it is your private health information. Your employer’s reason for checking or recording your COVID status must be clear, necessary and transparent. If they cannot specify a use for this information and are recording it on a ‘just in case’ basis, or if they can achieve their goal without collecting this data, they are unlikely to be able to justify asking for it.

Q: As an employer, do I have to check my workers’ vaccination status?

A: No, they must let you know if they are legally required to self-isolate. They can be fined if they fail to do this. If they are exempt from self-isolation as a contact because they are fully vaccinated, then no action is needed. Employers are not expected to check their workers’ vaccination status. However, if a worker informs you that they are under a legal duty to self-isolate, then you must not ask them to come into work.

Q: How do I know if someone I employ is exempt from self-isolation if I can’t check their vaccination status?

A: It is up to workers to inform their employers if they are under a legal duty to self-isolate. If they fail to do so – including falsely claiming they are not required to self-isolate – then they can be fined. They may also be subject to your usual disciplinary processes.

Q: If I am exempt from self-isolation, can I still choose to do so?

A: Individuals who are fully vaccinated can still choose to self-isolate if they have close contact with a positive case. However, you will not necessarily be eligible for financial (such as statutory sick pay) or practical support while self-isolating. If you are employed, then depending on the specific circumstances, your employer may require you to continue to come into work if you are exempt from self-isolation.

Q: Can my employer force me to come into work if I am exempt from self-isolation?

A: If you are not legally required to self-isolate, then your employer may require you to continue to come into work, depending on specific circumstances.

NHS Test and Trace App

Q: If someone has been vaccinated and receives a notification from the Test and Trace app to self-isolate, what should they do?

A: From 16th August those who are fully vaccinated or under 18 years of age and identified as a contact will not need to self- isolate; including if they have received a notification from the app. Instead, they will be advised to get tested. The app is being updated to reflect this and signpost people to testing. For users who have not been fully vaccinated yet, DHSC recommend they continue to follow the app’s advice to self-isolate, as they are at risk of having and spreading the virus.

Norfolk Chambers is delighted to be working co.llaboratively with Tech East and Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor on the Chambers’ flagship event that aims to give business professionals the tools they need to grow and future proof their businesses.

You don’t have to work in the tech industry to join us at Talking Tech in September. Marketing, HR, Sales, Finance, and IT professionals can discover how tech can help improve customer experience, generate new revenue streams, improve productivity and more.

The partnership with Tech East, a membership organisation of start-ups, scaleups and late-stage tech businesses, academia and public sector organisations; and Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor that links the fast-growing digital tech sector and food and agri-tech in Norwich with the world-leading life sciences and deep-tech sector in Cambridge, means that Norfolk businesses will have access to a wealth of information and practical advice on how new tech can benefit and boost their business.

Sue Simmons, Events and Engagement Manager at Cambridge Norwich Tech Corridor said: “We’re excited to be partnering with the Norfolk Chamber on this year’s Talking Tech event.  We have seen some incredible innovation in this region over the past 12 – 18 months as businesses have looked to adapt and evolve in response to the changing times ahead of them. Digital technology has been pivotal to this innovation, opening up new revenue streams, streamlining production, improving efficiencies and connecting us together as a community like never before. Talking Tech is a very timely opportunity for us all to pause, step back, learn from the best of this innovation and to immerse ourselves in ideas for the road ahead. We hope to see you there!”

Talking Tech is sponsored by Breakwater IT and takes place on Thursday 16 September from 9am until 2pm at The Space in Norwich. Tickets are available here.

In response to the findings from a recent Chambers Net Zero survey, the British Chambers of Commerce and O2 have launched a free online hub to help businesses find out how to measure their carbon footprint, set targets and develop an overall net zero strategy. The new hub provides a one-stop-shop for businesses to find out everything they need to know about Net Zero. It is packed with information on how to apply for grants, where to seek specialist advice and practical tips from firms that have already taken action.

The launch of the Hub comes after research published by the British Chambers of Commerce in partnership with O2 has found that only one in ten (11%) responding businesses, of more than 1,000 surveyed in the UK, are measuring their carbon footprint.

This falls to 9% for small businesses, and 5% for microbusinesses, with fewer than 10 employees. By contrast 26% of larger firms, with more than 50 employees, are measuring their footprint.

The research follows the Chambers Net Zero survey carried out in July. A total of 1,072 firms responded, with 94% being small and medium sized enterprises. 29% were manufacturers, 32% B2C and 38% B2B. A total of 46% reported they exported and 47% of firms were established more than 20 years ago. 

The research also showed only one in seven (13%) have set targets to reduce their emissions – down from one in five (21%) when firms were surveyed before the pandemic in February 2020.

In addition, almost two thirds (64%) of businesses surveyed say they don’t see net zero targets as a high priority in the wake of the pandemic, although half (49%) admit their customers are worried about the environment. 

The findings also show that one in five businesses (22%) don’t fully understand the term ‘net zero,’ and almost a third have yet to seek advice or information to help them develop a net zero roadmap or improve their environmental sustainability. 

With the impacts of the pandemic and other priorities weighing heavily on small and medium sized businesses, the research found that smaller firms were far more likely to be behind on climate action. When it came to setting carbon reduction targets, 27% of larger firms have done so, compared to just 9% of microbusinesses.

Barriers and required support

The main barriers preventing respondents from making their business more sustainable are high upfront adaptation costs (34%) and a lack of finance (30%).

Getting access to grants (28%), tax allowances (14%) and reducing the costs of making adaptations (14%) were cited as the three steps businesses would most like to see to help them reduce their carbon consumption within the next six months. 

While 13% said they would like access to impartial, bespoke advice with an action plan – and almost a third said they look online for advice on net zero and environmental sustainability.

Taking action on emissions

Despite a lack of awareness on carbon footprints, many firms are still taking a wide variety of positive actions to reduce their emissions and become greener.

Over the next 12 months, 54% of businesses surveyed are planning to reduce their consumption (e.g. of paper, food and plastics), 47% are planning to reduce the energy they use through travel, and 40% are planning to reduce the energy used at their offices and premises. Of those looking to take action, eight in ten (79%) cite concern about the environment as the motivating factor, followed by efficiency gains or cost savings (cited by 59%).

The Net Zero hub forms part of the BCC’s Climate Challenge hub and features exclusive content from O2. It has been designed to operate as a one-stop-shop for businesses to find out everything they need to know about Net Zero. Alongside tools to help firms calculate their carbon footprint and work out the savings they can make from going green, it has a wide range of handy guides, and insights from businesses which are successfully making the transition. It also provides links to upcoming events and webinars which allow firms to keep up to date with the latest developments on reducing emissions. 

Jo Bertram, Managing Director, Business & Wholesale at Virgin Media O2 said: “In May, the Government called on small businesses to lead the charge and pledge to reach net zero by 2050 or sooner, but our research shows that to do this, they need more support. From microbusinesses to larger firms, SMBs have told us they’re concerned about the environment, but in the wake of lockdowns and growing economic pressures, the majority are understandably facing barriers to improving their sustainability.

“That’s why today we’ve launched the Net Zero Hub, to provide businesses of all sizes with the free online resources they need to accelerate their net zero journey. Whether they have just started or are well underway, the hub offers practical guides, real-life insights and useful tools to help small businesses reap the benefits of reaching net zero. Small businesses make up 99% of the UK’s business landscape, and we’re committed to helping them cut their collective carbon footprint and play their part in building a cleaner, greener future for the UK.”

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “This research is a real eye-opener and shows just how big a challenge the UK’s net zero target is. The dual impacts of the pandemic and Brexit have been a huge body-blow to many businesses, so it’s unsurprising that targeting emissions has taken a back seat.

“But change has to come, and our Net Zero Hub makes clear that the earlier firms adapt then the greater the advantages will be – they cannot afford to get left behind.

“The climate challenge is one that affects every single one of us and business has a big part to play in tackling it. But the Government must also recognise that smaller firms will need access to grants, subsidies and other financial support to help them take effective steps on the journey to a greener future.”

In 2020, O2 became the only mobile network operator in the UK to commit to net zero by 2025, whilst working with supply chain partners to reduce emissions by 30% in the next five years. O2 Business is working with organisations of all sizes to help build a lower carbon economy through better connectivity – from smart meters and smarter working through to connected cars and air pollution monitoring. In 2020, O2 Business helped customers save 1.4m tonnes of carbon through B2B products and services (including flexible working, IOT solutions and Cloud-based services).*

To find out more about how the new Net Zero Hub from the BCC and O2 is supporting small and medium businesses on their net zero journey please click here.

*Includes: fleet management, telecommuting fixed line, telecommuting B2B mobile, video-audio conferencing, domestic smart meters, avoided vehicle journeys, and general IOT. Correct as of 31 December 2020

Hard to reach premises in Norfolk are to receive between £115m and £195m of funding as part of the Government’s Project Gigabit to provide 1GB per second broadband to up to 119,000 premises. Contracts will be awarded from February 2022.

Rural homes and businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk will get next-generation gigabit broadband brought to them under a £5 billion plan to level up internet access across the UK.

Cllr Tom FitzPatrick, Norfolk Cabinet Member for Innovation, Transformations & Performance said:

“Norfolk County Council is committed to making Norfolk the best-connected rural county in the country and we are striving for 100% availability of fast broadband to all Norfolk properties.  We welcome this latest announcement from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport about further significant investment in Norfolk’s digital infrastructure, and the huge benefits that this will bring. We are delighted with the high priority that Norfolk has been given.  Project Gigabit will help our residents to fully benefit from digital opportunities, help our businesses grow and improve their profitability, and so significantly benefit our rural economy.”

New details published today from Project Gigabit reveal that up to 210,000 rural homes and businesses in the region and surrounding areas are in line to be connected with lightning-fast speeds.

This is in addition to the roll-out of broadband by commercial providers, which is seeing gigabit broadband being deployed rapidly across the country – from one in ten households in the UK in 2019 to more than two in five today. The country is also on track for one of the fastest roll-outs in Europe and for 60 per cent of all households to have access to gigabit speeds by the end of this year.

The Project Gigabit programme targets properties that would otherwise have been left behind in broadband companies’ roll-out plans, prioritising those that currently have the slowest connections.

Their available speeds will rocket to more than 1,000 megabits or one gigabit per second – enough to download a High Definition movie in less than 30 seconds and to lay the foundations for tomorrow’s tech, such as 8K-quality video streaming.

It means families no longer having to battle over bandwidth and will give people in rural areas the freedom to live and work more flexibly, with the speed and reliability needed to start and run businesses.

Project Gigabit has announced that more investment is planned for the East of England, and more details to be shared in due course.

What does your business need to know when it comes to new technology? How can innovations in tech help with your business growth? What tech is currently available to you and how can you implement this into your business right now? What digital innovations are in the pipeline that you should be aware of?

Join us for the annual Norfolk Chambers of Commerce Talking Tech event, sponsored by Breakwater IT, where you will find answers to all the above and much more.

This year’s theme for Talking Tech is all about how you can grow and future proof your business. There will be speakers and panel discussions on how innovative thinking can lead to customer satisfaction and happy employees, and can help you cut costs, improve your top line and grow your business.

You don’t have to be in the technology sector to benefit from this event, in fact there are talks and discussions that are about how technology can help grow and future proof marketing, HR, sales and growth, finance and IT.

Talking Tech is more than just another tech conference, it’s an interactive event where you can get the knowhow you need. With headline speakers, interactive co.nversations, live Q&As and the chance to network; this is your chance to get your tech questions answered and get takeaways to help you employ these into your business straightaway.

Talking Tech – Innovative thinking for your business. Sponsored by Breakwater IT, takes place on Thursday 16 September, 2021*, 9am-2pm, at The Space, Norwich. For more information click here.

*We are doing everything we can to bring you this event in September by following government COVID guidelines. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, we may have to postpone this event at short notice if circumstances arise that are out of our control. 

The BCC calls for government to extend skills training as new research showed nearly 1 in 5 companies are considering staff redundancies as the next phase of furlough tapering begins.

With older workers much more likely to still be on furlough, there is concern that they could go unutilised unless support for retraining is immediately put in place.

The survey, carried out by BCC, asked over 250 businesses with employees still on furlough what their response might be to employers’ contributions to the scheme rising to 20% from August 1; nearly 1 in 5 (18%) said they would make staff redundant.

See graph (right) for full results:

The BCC survey comes after HMRC data released earlier this week showed older workers were far more likely to remain furloughed than younger ones, raising concerns about what plans are in place to re-skill those who are left without jobs as the scheme winds down – with skills shortages continuing to bite across the UK labour market.

Jane Gratton, Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s changes to the furlough scheme will likely result in many thousands of people being released back into the labour market, as employers who are still struggling to recover from the recession are forced to make redundancies and cuts to working hours. 

“With widespread skills shortages across the economy, some will find new jobs where their skills are in demand, while others will need to retrain for opportunities in a different sector.  

“Whether furloughed workers are returning to the workplace or the wider labour market, it is crucial that employers and the government give them the support and training they need to be re-engaged and productive. Alongside rapid retraining opportunities, government should extend the Kickstart scheme into 2022, and expand it to enable older workers to gain new skills and experience.”

Norfolk Chambers of Commerce is proud to announce that Layrd Design Ltd will be the sponsors of the Outdoor hub at B2B this October.

Norfolk’s leading business to business showcase returns on Thursday 14 October 2021 at Norfolk Showground* and Norfolk Chambers are delighted to confirm that commercial interior design specialists Layrd Design Ltd will be the official Co.mmunity sponsors at the show.

The B2B Exhibition is Norfolk’s largest business-to-business exhibition. Free to attend and attracting hundreds of businesses on the day, B2B is a highlight on the Norfolk events calendar. 

As the Co.mmunity sponsor, Layrd will give exhibitors and visitors space in the exhibition to Eat, Drink and Chill, with thoughtfully designed areas for networking, meetings and wellbeing breaks.

William Mayes, Director at Layrd said: “We had visited the event in the past and were very impressed by the scale and calibre of businesses involved. When the opportunity became available to sponsor this year’s event, we were very keen to be involved. We are looking forward to showcasing our services and offer to the Norfolk companies both exhibiting and visiting this year’s event. 

“We are installing some bold and bespoke features throughout the Eat, Drink, Chill area to create a more intimate and unique area for the guests to enjoy. We will also have a bold entrance space set up to welcome the guests as they arrive. The details of these areas will be saved for the guests to enjoy on the day!”

For exhibitors, the event gives the opportunity to meet new potential clients, catch up with existing contacts and have a presence at this prestigious event, as well as joining us for the B2B after party (ticketed event).

For visitors, the exhibition is the opportunity to meet a plethora of businesses, take part in speed networking sessions throughout the day, go to a free workshop or seminar and relax in the Proudly Norfolk food hub.

If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor at B2B you can find out how to book your stand HERE

Free tickets are now available to order. Book in advance and you will get fast-tracked entry into the exhibition. FIND OUT MORE

*We are doing everything we can to bring you this event in October by following government COVID guidelines. However, due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic we may have to postpone this event at short notice if circumstances arise that are out of our control.

 Responding to the news that fully vaccinated travellers from the EU and US will not have to quarantine, British Chambers of Commerce Co-Executive Director, Claire Walker, said:   

   “For the hundreds of thousands of people directly employed in the travel industry and the many more that are part of supply chains, this will be welcome news. 

 “The long-term recovery of our entire economy also depends on reopening the UK to the two-way flows of people and trade. 

 “The government must continue to work with businesses, the aviation industry and international partners to ensure resources and guidance are in place to deal with the influx of passengers who will need vaccination checks. 

 “It must also be crystal-clear in communicating the new arrangements to overseas travellers so they can have the utmost confidence in visiting the UK.  

  “Businesses will also want to see government do everything it can to continue drive down the cost of any tests required for travellers. These costs must not be allowed to become an impediment to the viability of businesses, or on UK firms chances of staking a place in growing markets.” 

 Responding to the news that fully vaccinated travellers from the EU and US will not have to quarantine, British Chambers of Commerce Co-Executive Director, Claire Walker, said:   

“For the hundreds of thousands of people directly employed in the travel industry and the many more that are part of supply chains, this will be welcome news. 

“The long-term recovery of our entire economy also depends on reopening the UK to the two-way flows of people and trade. 

“The government must continue to work with businesses, the aviation industry and international partners to ensure resources and guidance are in place to deal with the influx of passengers who will need vaccination checks. 

“It must also be crystal-clear in communicating the new arrangements to overseas travellers so they can have the utmost confidence in visiting the UK.  

“Businesses will also want to see government do everything it can to continue drive down the cost of any tests required for travellers. These costs must not be allowed to become an impediment to the viability of businesses, or on UK firms chances of staking a place in growing markets.” 

Responding to today’s ONS trade statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The pandemic and the shift to new trading conditions in how UK companies sell services to the EU have led to a clear reduction in UK-EU services trade compared with 2019. Today’s ONS data release shows services trade with the EU fell at a brisker rate than trade with the rest of the world over the two years to the end of March 2021. Services exports to the EU fell by 14.7% in that period and imports by 38.8%. 

“Today’s statistics indicate that the effects of the pandemic have masked the real long-term impact of the UK-EU TCA on trade in services, particularly in relation to business travel and supply of services. As economies reopen the effects of these issues will be slow burning, but nevertheless felt increasingly by companies operating both in the UK and Europe.    

“The UK government should seek to be ambitious in a common agenda with the EU on mutual recognition of professional qualifications, building more flexibility around the TCA for business travel, and liberalising reservations on services access to help kickstart our economic recovery from Covid-19.” 

Responding to the publication of Government plans on the future of Border controls, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:

“The UK Government is intent on proceeding with the phase-in of inbound Great Britain border and customs controls for EU imports in October 2021 and January 2022 as planned.

“Business has been preparing hard to be ready for these timelines, with many making use of the BCC’s ChamberCustoms services.

“It is now vital we get confirmation that the infrastructure and processes for controls relating to food, animal and plant products (sanitary and phytosanitary [SPS]) will be in place at ports across Great Britain.

“These need to be fully functional and integrated to work alongside systems for customs declarations, and safety and security documentation.

“Businesses and their suppliers need confidence that delays and problems in importing goods from the EU will not occur after these deadlines.  

“HMRC data suggests inbound customs declarations on EU goods could cost businesses as much as £7.5bn per year from next January.

“For hard-pressed companies further support, through an extension to the SME Brexit Support Fund into next year, is needed to help them adjust financially for this new phase of the biggest change in trading terms with the rest of Europe for half a century.” 

Full details of the government’s plans for border controls can be found here: https://bit.ly/36NeQ5E