Policy Update 10th September 2024
Welcome to this week’s policy update. ?
As ever please do get in touch with me, [email protected] , if you’d like to discuss the following, or other, business issues, put forward your views and/or provide real life examples that we can use in advocacy activity. ?
New Board members and a Chair have been appointed to the Cumbria Economic Growth Board as part of the development of Enterprising Cumbria.?Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness Councils were thrilled to announce the launch of?Enterprising Cumbria?in July and the announcement about the Growth Board, continues to deliver on the importance of the business and third sector voice across Cumbria. Enterprising Cumbria will take on the function and purpose of the previous Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) and will provide a powerful voice for a diverse array of businesses and organisations across the Cumbrian footprint, in supporting inclusive economic growth, investing in skills, and promoting Cumbria as a great place to live, work, and do business. The opportunity to be part of the Economic Growth Board was made available this summer and?sixteen Board members, alongside the Chair, have been appointed. ?
David Beeby, the new Chair of the Enterprising Cumbria Growth Board said: “I am delighted to take on the role of Chair for this newly formed organisation that will bring the voice of Cumbria wide businesses and organisations to work with both councils on inclusive growth initiatives that benefit the people and place of Cumbria. It is an exciting time ahead as we help to develop and deliver an Economic Strategy for the area whilst continuing to deliver a wide range of programmes that assist businesses with skills development, business improvement and productivity issues. I’m looking forward to our inaugural Board meeting in September.” ? Other members of the Growth Board are:
It’s great to see the Chamber represented directly, by me, and by Chamber Board Member Barry Leahey - and to see a number of other Chamber Members on the Board. ?
If you haven’t completed it yet, don’t forget this quarter’s Chambers’ Quarterly Economic Survey. Please do be sure to participate in this to enable ever more accurate data, increase our ability to advocate effectively and, not least, ensure Cumbria is well represented. The survey will be open until 15th September with results published week commencing 7th October. You can take part here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2K6RTX9 . ?
British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) continue to be busy on your behalf. Recent engagements include:
You can help to shape Chambers’ input to plans for the new Growth and Skills Levy. Chambers and the BCC have consistently called for reform of the Apprenticeship Levy. The aim of reform is to encourage more businesses to train more people, by making it more flexible and reducing administrative burdens.??The Government has committed to a Growth and Skills Levy that allows businesses to invest in non-apprenticeship training. Skills England will soon consult businesses on the precise changes that need to be made and how exactly employers will want to use the levy in future.? ?
Previously, Chambers have called for:?
We would like to build a more detailed ‘ask’ on Levy reform. To do that we would greatly appreciate your thoughts so we can build a new model to bring to policy makers in government.?It would be really helpful if you would response to this survey by close of play on 18th September. Look out for and respond to the survey we’ll be sharing later this week.” ?
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The Chambers’ Workplace Equity Commission has been gathering evidence over the past twelve months on how to help SMEs create more equitable workplaces. Youth Futures Foundation partnered with BCC to produce the report, published today.?While the Commission was convened by the BCC, and co-chaired by BCC Chair Sarah Howard, the report is that of the Commissioners, who are making recommendations to the BCC, and others.?As such, BCC will be taking the recommendations through the usual policy channels for discussion in the coming months. The aim will be to adopt any policies where there is agreement across the Chamber network. You can read more here.? ?
The latest BCC Economic Forecast has been published. The Forecast shows that economic growth has been higher than expected in the first half of 2024, following a short technical recession in 2023. Growth expectations for 2025 and 2026 however, could be impacted by uncertainty, with global conflicts, the upcoming US election, and trade tensions posing challenges to businesses trading internationally. Chambers’ recent business surveys show that while confidence is increasing, SMEs are struggling to increase investment. This problem can be eased by further interest rate cuts. With the Autumn Budget just around the corner, the government has the opportunity to set out measures which will boost investment, support growth and maintain competitiveness. You can read more here.? ?
Last week, the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill received its first reading in the House of Lords and was published. The Bill will allow Ministers to align UK rules with future EU legislation on industrial and electrical products, where they deem that beneficial. Chambers are supporting the overall aims of this Bill. You can read more here: Product Regulation and Metrology Bill [HL] - Parliamentary Bills - UK? ?
The Ukraine-UK digital economy agreement entered into force on 1st September. It provides more effective options on data, e-commerce and payments in our bilateral trade. You can read more here: UK-Ukraine digital trade set to grow - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ) . ?
You may be interested in supporting the Campaign for Borders Rail. They’re asking people to write to/email MPs regarding the Feasibility Study, the start of which seems to have stalled, expressing supporting support for the feasibility study progressing in full and as quickly as possible. If you’re doing so then who you should write?to depends on where you are based, (see below). Points you may wish?to include are:
For England the contact is Rt. Hon. Louise Haigh MP, Secretary of State for Transport, The Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR, [email protected] . ?
For Scotland the contact is Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, St. Andrew’s House Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG, [email protected] . If you’re based in a constituency which is on or near the route, you may also wish to contact your MP/MSP as appropriate. ?
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) has launched a campaign highlighting the importance of reasonable adjustments in the workplace, for both employees and employers. They have recently published advice and resources for employers in how to respond to the needs and requests of employees. Acas is also showcasing examples of reasonable adjustments, to show how they can be better for business. You can find out more here: Reasonably Adjust for Better Business - Guidelines ( frontify.com ) . ?
Related to the above, if you’re not already signed up, take a look at the Disability Confident scheme, showing your commitment and helping you to get more from recruiting and retaining people with disabilities and long term health conditions, Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ) . ?
Last but absolutely not least it’s great to see Chamber member, Atkinson Building Contractors Ltd, shortlisted in the People & Skills category of the CHAMBER BUSINESS AWARDS 2024. This is one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, recognising and promoting the best of British business through a series of regional heats, culminating in a campaign to showcase winning businesses on an international stage. The Chamber Business Awards national winners will be announced in October, and the Winner of Winners will be announced at the London Stock Exchange on 20th November. Congratulations to Atkinsons and fingers crossed!
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Suzanne Caldwell Managing Director