Policy Update 25th June 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. ?

This week is Armed Forces?Week, which is a chance to show your support for those who make up the armed forces community: from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets. One way you can do that, this week and every day, is to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, something we did some years ago as Cumbria Chamber. In addition, we’re proud to have achieved Silver in the Employer Recognition Scheme and are currently working towards Gold. ?

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy, and society they serve with their lives. Its two principles are that, recognising the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the Armed Forces:

• Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.
• Special consideration?is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

There’s now a Legal Duty on some organisations, but others, like us, choose to get involved voluntarily. ? While this is absolutely something we buy into as the Chamber, it’s also worth remembering that this community presents a great source of staff, with valuable skills and attributes – whether service leavers, veterans, reservists, forces families or those volunteering with the cadets. Activities can be as simple as, for example, offering guaranteed interviews to members of the forces community who meet at least the minimum criteria, using the specialist (free) recruitment support available or offering additional (paid or unpaid) leave to reservists and cadet volunteers. ?

You can find out more:

• about the Armed Forces Covenant here, Home - Armed Forces Covenant
• about the Employer Recognition Scheme here, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

And do feel free to give me a shout and I’ll be happy to tell you more about what we do, [email protected]. ?

A big thanks! Cumbrian businesses contributed a higher percentage of the responses than anywhere else in the north west to the recent British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Workforce Survey at 26%. So huge thanks for making sure Cumbrian views and experiences are so well represented.

The following is a flavour of north west responses.

• 29% of respondents strongly agreed that they were currently experiencing skills shortages and 42% somewhat agreed. 23% somewhat or strongly disagreed and 6% didn’t know.
• In terms of impact of these skills shortages, 71% said effects were an increased workload for other staff, 35% decreased staff moral or wellbeing, 53% reduced activity or outputs, 47% turned down/not bid for work, 41% reduced long-term growth or investment plans and 34% unable to achieve strategic goals (e.g. on digitalisation or sustainability). Only 2% stated there was no impact and 7% gave other impacts.
• Businesses were asked about their training intentions over the next 12 months, 42% said short courses with certification, 46% mentoring or coaching, 33% short courses without certification, 26% apprenticeships at Level 2 or 3, 17% apprenticeships at Level 4 upwards, 4% T Levels, 25% industry accredited courses )such as Prince2 or ILM), 11% university degree and 18% vocational qualifications (such as NVQs). 6% didn’t know and 14% did not intend to use training.
• Barriers to taking on apprenticeships were 21% capacity to deliver, 4% don’t see the benefits, 20%? Apprenticeship standards not suitable, 32% lack of quality applicants, 13% Apprenticeship Levy not suitable and 27% don’t need apprenticeships. 12% said they have apprenticeships and don’t face barriers.
• Effects of the April 2024 increase in the National Living Wage were given as 38% raising prices, 38% taking lower margins, 21% reducing staff bonuses or overtime, 22% scaling back recruitment, 29% reducing pay growth for staff not in living/minimum wage, 9% increasing automation/AI, 9% reducing training budget, 9% making redundancies and 7% other. 11% said it was too soon to say and 28% that they have not been/will not be affected.

The ?UK-wide results of the BCC Workforce Survey have been published in the latest edition of The Business Barometer, an annual report by The Open University, in partnership with the BCC. The report found that longstanding skill challenges remain which are hampering organisations in a number of ways.?

• 62% of organisations are currently facing skills shortages. While this is down from 73% in 2023, the ongoing impacts are widespread.
• 64% say they are not confident about applying new AI and green technologies.
• 68% of organisations with shortages acknowledge this increases workload on existing staff.

You can read the report here: ?The_Open_University_Business_Barometer_2024.pdf (britishchambers.org.uk).?

Entries for the King’s awards for Enterprise 2025 are now open. Businesses have until 12th September to get their entries in. The Cumbria Economic Programmes Team are inviting businesses to an online event?on 3rd July to find out about the awards and how to enter, including hearing from last year’s winners, Createc and The Quiet Site about the benefits businesses get from entering. If you don’t think it’s for you this year it’s also worth joining the event to find out more and start preparing for a possible future application. You can book on here The Kings Awards for Enterprise 2025 Tickets | TryBooking United Kingdom and find out more about the awards and enter here The King's Awards for Enterprise: Apply - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). If you’re interested in applying do get in touch so that we can link you into relevant support.?

This week is the BCC Global Annual Conference, so we’re looking forward to hearing from speakers such as Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and?Jonathan Reynolds, Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade. You can find out more here GLOBAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024 - British Chambers of Commerce.?

If you’re a business owner in Westmorland & Furness don’t forget to respond to help ensure your views and insight inform future economic support strategies and policies by completing the Council’s ?annual business survey. The survey runs until 28th June. Businesses in Westmorland & Furness will receive the survey by post and are encouraged to take part digitally by scanning the QR code.?

As highlighted in detail last week, Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Councils are recruiting local business leaders and representative bodies to join the brand-new Cumbria Economic Growth Board. This is part of the new arrangements which resulted in both local authorities assuming the functions and responsibilities of the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP). The newly formed Economic Growth Board will provide a strong business voice in strategy development whilst ensuring that decisions are taken in the best interests for people and places in Cumbria. This is a fantastic opportunity to represent the?views of local businesses as part of regional decision making, and help deliver our vision for Cumbria and shape its future. You can find out more and apply at: Job profile (cumbria.gov.uk) The deadline for applications is 7th?July.??

Get your business ready for Colombia- join this online session on 3rd July for information on how to start exporting to Colombia, the opportunities for businesses and what help’s available.? Colombia stands out as a strong economy in its region with an impressive 7.3% economic growth rate as of 2022. It has also one of the largest populations and economies in Latin America. There are great opportunities for UK companies to tap into this market in a broad range of sectors, such as food and drink, chemicals, advanced engineering and life sciences. This webinar is brought to you by the Department for Business and Trade's Export Support Service hub in Latin America and the Caribbean and the British-Colombian Chamber of Commerce. You can find out more and register here:Events – Get your business ready for Colombia! (great.gov.uk).?

Unlocking Global Markets: Mastering International Trade and E-commerce - Are you ready to expand your business beyond the UK's borders? Dive into the dynamic world of international trade and e-commerce with our expert-led webinar on 16th July designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the global marketplace.?Discover how to leverage e-commerce to reach international customers, understand the latest trends and opportunities in international trade and get your questions answered by our panel of experts. Unlocking Global Markets: Mastering International Trade and E-Commerce - British Chambers of Commerce. This event is supported by DHL.?

Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director