Policy Update 14th February 2024

Welcome to this week’s policy update. ? ?

As ever please do get in touch with me, [email protected] , if you would 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.

Your input is needed! Chambers’ Quarterly?Economic Survey?(QES) Q1 2024 is now collecting responses. As the largest and most representative independent business survey of its kind in the UK, the QES is closely watched by policymakers such as the Treasury, the Bank of England and the Office of Budget Responsibility, while also attracting significant media attention. So please do take the opportunity to complete this survey and make sure the Cumbria experience is well represented! You can complete it here:?https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TGBX9QJ . ?

The first Cumbria Careers Day takes place on 6th March, organised by Cumbria Careers Hub. It would be fantastic if as many businesses as possible would get involved in what we hope will become a growing annual event. You can do so in whatever way works for you, for example opening up your business to visitors, arranging an activity with a local school or putting content out on social media. We certainly will be! You can find out more and get involved here: Cumbria Careers Day – Cumbria Careers Hub ( careershubcumbria.co.uk ) . ?

The team at British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) continue to be busy working on your behalf. This week:

• Director of Policy and Insights, Alex Veitch will be meeting with senior representatives from the Rail Industry Association.
• Director General, Shevaun Haviland, and Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, will be at the German Embassy to brief European Ambassadors on the key findings and recommendations from the BCC report into the Trade and Cooperation Agreement BCC-Trade-and-Cooperation-Agreement-Three-Years-On.pdf ( britishchambers.org.uk ) .

? Last week the BCC:

• Took part in a trade roundtable hosted by the UK Accreditation Service. Policy changes on markings of industrial and electrical goods were discussed as well as how to advance future campaign work around mutual recognition of conformity assessment.

• Met with the Japan External Trade Organisation. During the meeting they discussed experiences of boosting utilisation of trade agreements by businesses, including the UK’s trade agreement with Japan.
• Spoke with the Cabinet Office and EU Embassy about the latest issues. This covered the new legislation on the Windsor Framework and the first week of new inbound GB border controls.

Next week BCC will be taking part in a roundtable with Business Minister, Nus Ghani MP about the effects of the Red Sea disruption on trade and supply chains. If you have any input please let me know, [email protected] .

The next meeting of the BCC Trade Policy Committee is on 27th February. Again, please let me know of any issues. The UK government has extended tariff free trade to Ukraine on most goods imports for a further five years. You can read BCC’s comments in the government press release?on this announcement here UK extends tariff-free trade with Ukraine until 2029 - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ) . ? The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is keen to speak with SMEs in the construction sector to understand the key issues facing them and how they can be supported. If you’re a Chamber in the sector and are interested in a discussion, drop me a line and I’ll put your name forward, [email protected] . ?

Chambers’ Future of the Economy programme is looking at the biggest challenges, and opportunities, the country is facing. Over the next quarter, we’ll be launching policy recommendations to the UK government on our five core areas. Last week BCC launched our second report the People and Work Challenge report, ‘Boosting Skills: Journey through education and work’. The report outlines a 10-point plan to boost workforce skills, by supporting people at every stage of their journey through education and employment. Among the recommendations in the report are:

• An industrial strategy that’s fit for purpose.
• Funding a business support service to help employers identify, plan and invest in workforce skills.
• More investment to make Careers Information, Education and Guidance a mainstream priority for school leaders.
• Recognition of employers who invest in workplace training, through the tax and procurement systems, and a new skills investment kitemark.

You can read the report here People and Work - British Chambers of Commerce . The first report was the Green Innovation Challenge report which outlines a series of proposals for policymakers, to help accelerate the UK’s transition to Net Zero. Among the recommendations in the report are:

• A new public body to oversee delivery of core climate policies.
• Strengthened resources for independent Climate Change Committee.?
• A robust Green Industrial Strategy from UK government.
• A permanent cross-sector approach to green jobs from policymakers.
• Quicker government action on financing the transition to Net Zero through the tax system.

You can read the report here Green Innovation - British Chambers of Commerce . ? If you haven’t already, please do respond to BCC’s Workplace Equity Commission call for evidence before it closes on Friday.?This invites views and insights on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) best practice in business, as well as any challenges businesses are facing, and where support is needed. The Commission aims to produce practical recommendations for employers and Chambers. There will also be policy recommendations for government. You’re key to providing vital insights and on-the-ground knowledge about the issues and successes you’re experiencing and helping ensure that the report reflects what businesses are doing now and any additional support or changes that would help. You can find out more and get involved here: Workplace Equity Commission - British Chambers of Commerce . ?

The DBT has launched resources to help prepare businesses for upcoming changes to flexible working laws. From?6th April, employees will have the legal right to make a statutory flexible working request, from their first day of employment, to ask for changes to when, where and how long they work. Employers will need to manage such requests reasonably and might need to change how they manage flexible working requests in their business. his is one part of a wider package of changes to rights and protections for workers coming into force between now and April, which also includes carer’s leave, changes to paternity leave and pay, and additional protection from redundancy for pregnant women and new parents. You can learn more about flexible working, potential benefits, and the legal changes here Flexible Working - Help to Grow . ?

Mission to Egypt for the Water and Agri Sectors. The Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) and British Waters are organising a three-day business mission to Egypt, 4th-6th March. The aim of the mission is to discuss the opportunities available in the water sector based on the memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Housing, Utilities and Urban Communities and British Water. There will also be an overview from DBT on future collaboration with Africa and the opportunities available. You can find out more here Water Mission to Egypt 2024 – Trade Accelerator ( the-ta.com ) . ?

Keeping and getting out of tax avoidance schemes. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging contractors and agency staff not to get caught out by non-compliant umbrella companies selling tax avoidance schemes. Tax avoidance is when people bend the rules of the tax system to try to pay less than they should. But those who join avoidance schemes then end up having to pay the tax due in the first place – as well as interest and potentially penalties. HMRC wants to stop people being drawn into such schemes as well as help them leave tax avoidance schemes if they believe they might be caught up in one. HMRC is working with a range of organisations to give them the tools to educate workers on the risks of using tax avoidance schemes. For more on how to spot the signs, report avoidance, or get help leaving or reporting a tax avoidance scheme, see HMRC’s Don’t Get Caught Out campaign Tax avoidance – don’t get caught out - Tax advice - don’t get caught out ( dontgetcaughtout.campaign.gov.uk ) .

Cumberland Economic Summit. This full-day event, organised by Cumberland Council, will be held on 29th February at the Civic Centre, Rickergate, Carlisle. The Rt Hon Ed Miliband, Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero has been confirmed as the keynote speaker.?He will be joined by additional speakers including Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, Carlisle MP, John Stevenson and Cumberland Council’s Chief Executive, Andrew Seekings.?The Summit discussions will link in with their?Cumberland Plan ?and they are keen that strategic partners and stakeholders get the opportunity to help them develop a clear vision for the area. Tickets are limited but you can book here: Cumberland Economic Summit Tickets, Thu 29 Feb 2024 at 09:00 | Eventbrite .

Cumberland Council Community Development Team are looking for non-elected members (‘co-optees’) to join their local Community Panels. These panels liaise with the community to set local priorities and direct funding and investment where it is needed. It’s really important work that makes a difference to people’s lives at a grass roots level.?You can find out more about what Community Panels do and see your local panel here: What are Community Panels and how do I apply for support? | Cumberland Council . ?The role lasts for 12 months and co-optees play an active role in questioning and shaping local decision making. As non-elected members they do not vote, but the role ensures panels are listening to our communities in the decisions they make.?As well as fulfilling this vital role, co-opted members have the opportunity to network with likeminded individuals and benefit from a range of training and development opportunities.?There is no one single vision for what a co-opted member looks like. To find out more and to apply, please visit Co-opted Community Panel members | Cumberland Council . ?

The Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership is inviting people to find out more about Community Investment Funding (CIF) and meet successful applicants who have already been able to provide new facilities. Through the GDF programme, the Community Partnership has awarded over ￡2million in two years to a variety of local projects as discussions progress around what a facility could mean for the Mid Copeland area. Also present at the events will be other local funders, including representatives of Cumberland Council, Copeland Community Fund and Nuclear Waste Services. These events are:

• Feb 21st: Beckermet Reading Rooms, 11am-3pm
• Feb 29th: Gosforth Public Hall, 11am-3pm

You can find out more here: Welcome | Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership ( workinginpartnership.org.uk ) . There are a range of current consultations: ?

• The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has issued a?second consultation on the design and implementation of the building safety levy. This will apply to certain new residential buildings requiring building control approval in England, for the purpose of meeting building safety expenditure. The consultation closes on 20th?February. You can find out more and get involved here: Building Safety Levy: technical consultation - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ) .

• The Information Commissioner’s Office has launched a series of consultations on how data protection law should apply to the development and use of?generative AI models. The series starts with a consultation?focusing on the lawful basis for scraping data from the web or processing web-scraped data to train generative AI models. This consultation is open until 1st March. You can find out more and get involved here: Introduction : Generative AI consultation: the lawful basis for web scraping to train Gen AI models ( smartsurvey.co.uk ) .

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• The Department for Transport has issued a?consultation?seeking views on proposals for reforms to street works legislation covering surplus lane rental funds, fixed penalty notices and weekend overruns. In particular, they’re looking for feedback on Regulations:

• requiring at least 50% of any surplus lane rental funds to be spent on repairing potholes
• raising the level of fixed penalty notices that can be issued for 5 street works offences
• allowing overrun charges to apply at weekends and bank holidays.

The consultation closes on?11th?March. You can find out more and respond here :Street works: fines and lane rental surplus funds - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk ). ?

• The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has issued a consultation?seeking views on draft train protection systems guidance, with an aim to clarify legal obligations in relation to modern train protection systems. In particular, the ORR is looking for views?on the content of the guidance and views on how helpful it will be as an aid to manage the migration to modern signalling systems. The consultation closes on 1st?March. You can take part here: Consultation on draft train protection systems guidance | Office of Rail and Road ( orr.gov.uk )

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched the Asbestos: Your Duty campaign which aims to improve understanding of what the legal duty to manage asbestos involves. Their website?contains updated information, new templates (including an asbestos management plan template), and explanatory videos to help organisations comply with their health and safety responsibilities. The HSE will also be checking how asbestos is managed in a wide range of buildings when conducting site visits. You can find out more about the campaign here Keep people safe from future dangers of asbestos, regulator warns | HSE Media Centre and access updated information from the HSE here The duty to manage asbestos in buildings: Overview - HSE . ?

Regulation (EU) 2024/197 amending Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 as regards the harmonised classification and labelling of certain chemical substances comes into force in Northern Ireland on?1st?September 2025 and amends Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (the CLP Regulation) to introduce or update the harmonised classification and labelling of specified substances following a review by the European Chemicals Agency. Organisations that place any of the following chemicals on the market in Northern Ireland must ensure that they change the hazard labelling to comply with the new rules before September next year. You can read the full list of chemicals?here: Chemical Table - Legislation_Outlook_Feb_2024.pdf ( hubspotusercontent-na1.net ) .

Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director