Policy Update 27th August 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. You’ll see below that it’s been a busy time for publication of data! ?

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:

• Shevaun Haviland, Director General, meeting with Louise Tinsley, Director of Special Advisers and Chancellor Engagement, HM Treasury.
• Alex Veitch, Director of Policy, attending a roundtable with the Minister for Employment on Statutory Sick Pay.
• Anne-Marie Martin, Director of Memberships UK and International, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy and Stuart Morrison, Research Manager, meeting with Trade Commissioners. During the meeting the team discussed UK trade and exports, and it provided an opportunity for BCC to share data and insights with the Commissioners.
• Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Policy, BCC, meeting with Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and Angela Rayner MP, Deputy Prime Minister, on Making Work Pay. The BCC welcomed the overall aims of the Making Work Pay proposals and the focus on ensuring job security, fair reward, equal and non-discriminatory workplaces. However, it was stressed that changes needed to be carefully thought through to avoid any unintended consequences.
• Jane Gratton and Adam Szpala, Head of Public Affairs, met with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). During the meeting they discussed labour market priorities and the emerging focus of the department following the election, including delivery of Labour's manifesto commitments on the future of Jobcentres, devolution and the Youth Guarantee. The BCC team will continue to engage with DWP as it explores the development of a Labour Market White Paper.
• The BCC speaking with officials in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) about how the Border Target Operating Model is functioning from an import and export perspective, drawing upon our recent research.
• The BCC meeting with DBT’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) Policy Team to discuss future engagement and shared priorities, ahead of the WTO Public Forum next month.

In two examples of how BCC's advocacy and policy work is impacting on UK government legislation and making a positive difference to UK businesses:

• The new government committed to complete the UK trade negotiations pipeline with six priority sets of negotiations - the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), South Korea, Switzerland, Turkiye, India and Israel. This was an ask in the Chambers’ Global Britain Report: BCC_GLOBAL_BRITAIN_REPORT.pdf (britishchambers.org.uk),
• The UK joined 90 other countries in agreeing a text on the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Agreement on Electronic Commerce. When fully implemented, the deal will reduce red tape and create solid foundations for growth in global e-commerce trade. This was an ask in Chambers’ Trade Manifesto: Global Britain - British Chambers of Commerce.

A planning application has been submitted to improve the Oldside site at the Port of Workington ahead of future development. Cumberland Council is managing the project which aims to use the location to create a clean energy and logistics hub. Around ￡4.5 million of funding is being provided by the Government as part of the Workington Town Deal. The land has already been assessed for pollutants which could be a legacy of its industrial past and the stability of the land has been assessed to inform the design of a land remediation scheme. The planning application involves remediation works which will consist of the excavation of topsoil, processing of excavated materials, compaction of the earthworks, and landscaping to prepare the site for future development.

US Nuclear Giant Holtec has visited a potential factory site at Kingmoor Park, Carlisle. The US nuclear industry giant, Holtec, is looking to construct a ￡1.3bn manufacturing unit for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the UK and Kingmoor Park, is in the running, having been shortlisted in Holtec’s national competition. Professor Dame Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge and Gareth Davies, Director of Holtec GB and Tom Lees, Managing Director, Bradshaw Advisory visited the Kingmoor Park site on 29th July to see for themselves Carlisle and Cumberland’s exceptional siting offer. The visit was part of an on-going process to determine the best site for Holtec GB’s manufacturing facility, which will contribute approximately ￡1.5billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the economy of the chosen location, including creating around 3,600 jobs in construction and up to 400 manufacturing jobs, once the factory is operational. The Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) and Cumberland Council have been leading the effort alongside the Kingmoor Park Properties Ltd team to attract Holtec GB to Carlisle, successfully reaching the final shortlist alongside South Yorkshire, Tees Valley, and the West Midlands. You can read more here: US Nuclear Giant Holtec visit potential factory site at Kingmoor Park, Carlisle | Cumberland Council.

Work is also underway on the Workington Gateway project. To enable this to happen, the former Henry Curwen pub at Ramsay Brow will be demolished. Work has started inside the building. Removing the building will ease the pinch point where the A66 and A596 meet, improving access for HGVs and reducing traffic impacts on nearby communities. The demolition is a critical part of the ￡10 million Workington Gateway project, which will also enhance pedestrian and cycle routes around Hall Park, add a new horticultural centre and café, and feature a lighting scheme for the historic hall.?Workington Gateway is part of a larger regeneration effort fuelled by ￡33 million in external funding, which also includes a Sports Village, Innovation Centre, and public realm improvements. As part of the Workington Gateway project, Cumberland Council will be improving active travel footpaths and cycle paths in and around Hall Park. They’re interested in how you use the park now, and how you have done so in the past.?Have your say by filling in this online survey, https://consult.cumberland.gov.uk/economic-regeneration-team/workington-gateway-project/, before 30th August. If you have any questions about the project, please email [email protected].

The Department for Education (DfE), the Association of Colleges and Holex are hosting an Employer Discussion Forum for employers supporting the Multiply Programme. The forum will take place on 19th September from 10:00 -11:30. The aim is to generate conversations with providers, to share best practice and find solutions to current challenges. There is a limited capacity of 80 attendees. If you’re interesting in taking part please let me know and I’ll forward details, [email protected].

The EU has confirmed that the Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) for UK passport holders travelling to the EU (with the exception of Cyprus and ROI) will begin on 10th November. The Home Office recently set out measures for extra capacity in the West Docks at the Port of Dover for dealing with the forthcoming arrangements.? ?

BCC’s Director of Policy and Insight, Alex Veitch, will be chairing Westminster Insight’s Retail Sustainability Conference in London on 19th September. This full-day conference will cover the key issues for ramping up sustainability strategies across retail supply chains including: updates to UK government regulations, reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions; waste and circularity; packaging; logistics; ESG; and ethical labour practices. Participants will be able to hear from industry leaders and gain real life examples from brands across the retail sector that are prioritising sustainability and achieving success. Three dedicated networking sessions will provide insights and guidance to businesses on achieving their environmental goals. If you’re a Chamber member interested in attending, please contact me for a 20% discount code and booking link. ?

BCC’s Anne-Marie Martin will be speaking at the UN Global Compact Network UK Annual Summit on 1st October, in London and online. The summit will feature panel discussions, fireside chats, and hands-on practical workshops to bridge the ambition to action gap and accelerate the delivery of sustainability commitments. The agenda features eight unique sessions to equip and empower business professionals. This will provide robust solutions to the challenges across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. And will convene corporate, government, and civil society leaders for engaging discussions. You can find out more and register here: Summit 2024 - (unglobalcompact.org.uk).

Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director