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“The Government must ensure its engagement with business over the coronavirus recovery is not just a “box-ticking exercise.”

That’s the message from Norfolk Chambers of Commerce as business secretary Alok Sharma prepares to launch five new business-focused groups as part of the plans to kickstart the economy.

• The future of industry: How to accelerate business innovation and leverage private sector investment in research and development
• Green recovery: How to capture economic growth opportunities from the shift to net zero carbon emissions
• Backing new businesses: How to make the UK the best place in the world to start and scale a business
• Increasing opportunity: How to level up economic performance across the UK, including through skills and apprenticeships
• The UK open for business: How to win and retain more high value investment for the UK

The groups will form part of the Government’s plans for restarting the economy, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson reportedly set to unveil them with a major speech next month.

Mr Sharma will this week chair the first meetings of new ‘recovery roundtables’, bringing together businesses, business representative groups and leading academics.

Norfolk Chambers is also encouraging our members to let us know about the measures that would best support them to restart, recover and grow.

Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said: “It is critical that the Government works in genuine partnership with businesses in order to support a return to economic growth.

“Engagement cannot be a tick box exercise. We welcome the announcement of these new groups and look forward to learning more about their composition, remit and measures that are taken forwards from them in due course.

“There is no denying the significant impact that this pandemic has had on the Norfolk business community.  What this period of disruption and change does give us is an opportunity to do things differently and radically rethink the way in which the Government engages with and enables good business growth in the UK.

“We will continue to deliver a strong Norfolk business voice for our members both locally and nationally through the British Chambers of Commerce, who will be actively involved in these groups.  Please send all feedback to nova.fairbank@norfolkchambers.co.uk

Commenting on the report ‘Cutting Red Tape in Europe – Legacy and Outlook’ published today by the European Commission’s High Level Group on Administrative Burdens, chaired by Dr Edmund Stoiber, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:

“The sentiment of this report is in the right place; it tells us that the EU has listened to businesses’ concerns about the impact of burdensome regulations on competitiveness and economic growth. However, it remains to be seen just how far and how fast the EU will go in implementing these proposals.

“While this is often down to Whitehall over-interpreting EU law, there is no doubt that something had to be done at the Commission level to address business concerns. Impact assessments and better engagement with businesses will help to prevent unnecessary regulations in the first place, and make it simpler for businesses to implement those regulations that are important. This is all contingent, of course, on proper business and economic cost impact assessments being carried out.

It is also incumbent on governments to pay more attention to the actions of their MEP’s; too often burdensome legislation from Europe has been proposed or supported by UK MEP’s of all parties.

“However, reform shouldn’t stop with small and medium businesses – we want to see improvements for businesses of all sizes. This is essential if we are to see a vibrant and growing economy in Europe. The next step is for the EU to deliver on the single market for both goods and services, so that it works better for business. This should be a major objective of any future negotiation on reform of the EU.”

On 18 September Norfolk Businesses joined us at John Lewis for a relaxed evening of networking with an interactive technology element.

Delegates heard from Richard Marks Head of Branch at John Lewis on how the recent innovations in technology have helped them to develop as a company and constantly look at how they are working.

It was then onto the main part of the event; Sony were the first to stand up and they talked about the recent developments in technology, in particular there new Sony Z2 tablet which can survive under water up to 1.5m of water for 30 minutes and the attendees got to have a go with some of their latest innovations.

Google then talked to the delegates about how their Google Apps can be used across your company and customised specifically to each businesses needs. Delegates had the opportunity to edit one document all at the same time using one of Google most recent tablets.

The event finished with a prize draw with some great gifts, including a brand new Sony Z2 tablet. There was a great buzz with delegates getting to try out our sponor, customised’s lighting display and tweeting throughout. See some of the tweets below

To view more photo’s from this event visit ourFacebookorGoogle+page.

Our next After Hours event is our Super Bowl Challenge on 29 January at Hollywood Bowl. To book your place or for more detailsclick here.

A database for sharing offers of PPE and return to work equipment has been launched by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership to support the reopening of businesses

A simplified directory was set up in March and this has played a key role in the supply of PPE to frontline workers in the health and social care sector. On the back of that success, and thanks to the production and supply of equipment by local companies, the LEP has now expanded the service.

More than 1,200 products – from face masks, visors and aprons to sanitiser and other return to work equipment – have already been listed by around 250 suppliers, many of which are based in Norfolk and Suffolk.

Entrepreneurial businesses across the region began producing PPE as a way of continuing to operate and pay their staff during the pandemic, while at the same time helping to meet the desperate demand.

Organisations based in Norfolk and Suffolk can log in here to access the database after a short verification process.

Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia LEP, said:

“Whether you are a small business needing a small batch of masks or a care provider requiring a large amount of stock, you can log in to this digital database and find the PPE you need,” he said.

“Helping businesses to protect their employees and their customers as they return to work is going to be key to the recovery effort and having all these products in one place will support them in this important phase.

“It is also a way of the LEP rewarding the local businesses which have manufactured these desperately needed items during this emergency and helped slow the spread of Coronavirus.”

Requests to view the database are moderated and granted on a case by case basis. For businesses sharing offers of products or services, the LEP will be requesting Companies House information, as well as details about stock and production capacity, and how products conform to required standards.

For full details on how to access the database click here.

The UK government and HM Treasury have announced that people on paternity and maternity leave who return to work in the coming months will be eligible for the furlough scheme, despite the 10 June cut-off date.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) has been extended until October, with new flexibilities being introduced by the government from 01 July to support the economy by allowing furloughed employees to return to work part-time. Find out more here.

The Department of Work and Pensions have launched a new campaign around Universal Credit and COVID-19.

A new website has been launched to provide clear, factual information on employment and benefits support with advice on housing, furlough, sick pay and self-employment, alongside advice and FAQs for employers, those already claiming and those making a new claim.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact upon the lives and livelihoods of people across East of England, this new website will be a vital resource for thousands who need concise, accurate information on the support available to them and their family.

DWP have provided a suite of social media assets with approved messaging which you can download here. This link will expire after 7 days.

The new campaign content is simple and informative, with an emphasis on ensuring that all new and existing Universal Credit claimants are kept fully up to date with how to access the support available.