Policy Update 6th June 2023
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Welcome to this week’s policy update. As ever please do get in touch with me, [email protected],?if you’d like to discuss any of the following, or other business issues. We’re also keen to receive any real life examples you’d like to put forward as they really do help in lobbying activity.
We need to get this quarter’s data submitted to British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) by Thursday this week so if you haven’t completed it yet then please take a few minutes to fill in our Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2 2023 now! The survey plays a vital role in informing the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee, government, and others, and has real impact on things like interest rate decisions. You can access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/33VYS67
As you may have heard in the media, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has announced a new Business Council, comprised of prominent UK business leaders, to help design and drive the future of the British economy. This is part of a new national offer. You can read more here: BCC launches Business Council as part of new national offer (britishchambers.org.uk). While partners in the Business Council will have a specific role in helping shape the BCC’s policy and influencing, this does not mean a focus of policy and activity on the largest businesses, or away from the local structure which is such a valuable part of the Chambers’ offer. Chambers and BCC will continue to represent the views and interests of businesses of all sizes an across all sectors and the introduction of a national offer as an option relevant to some businesses, will in no way detract from the offer and support for the wider business community. Any organisation interested in the Business Council or wider national offer please contact me, [email protected].
As usual BCC are busy on your behalf with government. This week:
I’ll be at the business reception in Manchester with Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP and Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP on Thursday evening.
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Invitation to a UK Export Finance Reception on Wednesday 28 June, 2-5pm. Tim Reid, CEO UK Export Finance (UKEF), is hosting a reception in London with Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP. The reception will be attended by representatives of UKEF, the Department, MPs and Lords. Chambers have been invited to put forward a shortlist of businesses from which a number will be selected by the Department for Business and Trade and UKEF. They would welcome suggestions of firms with interesting export stories to tell, particularly those who have engaged with UK Export Finance in some way. If you’re interested please let me know by Friday 26th June latest.
The UK’s trade deals with Australia and New Zealand entered into force on Wednesday last week and can now be used by importing and exporting businesses. You can read BCC’s response and?BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain's blog on what both deals mean for business, here: BCC responds to new Australia and New Zealand trade deals (britishchambers.org.uk) and UK trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand (britishchambers.org.uk).
The final version of the Cabinet Office Border Target Operating Model is due to be published in late June, as disclosed to the BCC last week. Please keep providing your input to us on when and whether milestones 2 and 3 on inbound GB border checks should be implemented.
The final series of EU regulations to implement the Windsor Framework deal with the UK on GB to NI goods movements were passed last week.
The next meeting of the BCC Trade Policy Committee takes place on?28th June. Please feed in any queries or comments in advance so we can take them to the meeting.
Exporting Food & Drink to China. Defra would like to remind food and drink businesses who were successful as part of the fast-track process in 2021 to modify their details on Cifer before the deadline of 30th June, as per the requirement from the General Administration of Customs China (GACC).?To modify an application, businesses need to provide further information specific to their product category.?This includes a signed and stamped checklist and declaration. Failure to modify a registration could result in delays, blockages or inability to export to China.?Further information can be found here: 221209_GACC_Cifer_Fast_Track_Modification_FAQs.02.docx (live.com).
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The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2023 will be announced during a live broadcast on 29th June. The broadcast will include a full countdown of the 2023 rankings, insights into the characteristics of top employers, and interviews with those who have made it into the Top 100 and Top 50 SMEs this year. As part of the broadcast you can hear facts, figures and insights to help you benchmark your offer against the best. The event will also provide informative positive messages about the benefits of employing apprentices. You can find out more and register here:?Apprenticeships Top Employers 2023 (topapprenticeshipemployers.co.uk).
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The Competition and Markets Authority has?written an open letter detailing plans to assess how competition is working in the grocery retail market, including how it intends to engage with consumer groups, businesses and other stakeholders. You can find out more here: An open letter from the CMA to the groceries sector - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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The first-ever animal sentience committee has been formally launched with the appointment of five new members. The Animal Sentience Committee is fully independent?and will support Parliament in assessing how well policy decision-making across Government effectively considers animal welfare. You can find out more here:?Government delivers manifesto commitments on animal welfare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The government is also launching an eight-week public consultation on introducing penalty notices to bolster enforcement for animal health and welfare offences, meaning those who commit offences, such as importing illegal animal products could face fines of up to ￡5,000. You can get involved in the consultation here: Introducing penalty notices for animal health and welfare offences in England - Defra - Citizen Space.
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The Defra survey on business readiness for collection and packaging reforms (CPR) is open until 16th June. You can complete this 5 minute survey here: CPR Business Readiness Survey (qualtrics.com). You can also take advantage of CPR Business Readiness Forums, with the following coming up over the next few months:
For more information, please see the latest CPR newsletter:?https://defracollectionandpackagingreform.cmail20.com/t/t-e-zydtrjy-jthkkddkih-e/
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The consultation on reform of retained EU law related to wine is open until 21st July. You can find out more and get involved here (I don’t think there is any tasting involved!): Wine: reforms to retained EU law - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).? This is part of the smarter regulation programme (Smarter regulation to grow the economy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). They also plan to consolidate domestic wine regulations and make other minor reforms to retained?EU?law.
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The consultation on nitrous oxide: legitimate uses and appropriate controls closes on 27th June. You can get involved here: Nitrous oxide: legitimate uses and appropriate controls - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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The Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC) met on 24?May and had good discussions about its work priorities, in particular its work on sustainability. The Secretary of State also joined to discuss the Farm to Fork summit and the FDSC’s role in taking forward the outcomes. Full minutes will be made available on the FDSC website soon (Food and Drink Sector Council - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). The Government and Industry Co-Chairs of the FDSC also welcomed the following eight new members of the Council. Together they bring a breadth of experience and perspectives from across the agri-food chain. The new members are:
The Food and Drink Sector Council FDSC brings senior leaders representing the whole of the agri-food chain together with government to address the strategic issues and seize the opportunities facing the agri-food chain. You can see the full list of members and read about how you can get involved in the FDSC and its work on their website.
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From 1 October 2023, businesses must no longer supply, sell or offer certain single-use plastic items in England. You can find out more here: Single-use plastics ban: plates, bowls, trays, containers, cutlery and balloon sticks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
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Upland farmers are being given improved access to the government’s farming schemes, with increased payment rates and improved options under Countryside Stewardship. You can find out more here: Coffey: We’re listening and making ELMs work for upland farmers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The changes, announced by the Secretary of State for Food and Farming, follow direct feedback from the sector, and aim to help support them as sustainable food producers and custodians of England’s most-loved landscapes. You can find further details on Defra’s farming blog: Farming is Changing (blog.gov.uk).
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Suzanne