Customs Declarations
Completing a customs declaration is complicated and you may need software. So you may want to get someone to deal with customs for you. At Staffordshire Chambers we have spent the last 18 months training staff to ensure that we are ready to act as Customs Agents for companies who need a reliable, trusted partner to clear their manufacturing goods through customs. Ryan Dakin.
It is anticipated that there will be an additional 400 million Customs Declarations required each year at a cost to industry of £13bn as a result of leaving the EU and the Customs Union. Many, many companies who trade solely with the EU will not have the knowledge, software or capacity to deal with the new customs regime. So with less than six months to go before the end of the Transition Period it is imperative that companies start to understand the level of complexity and what will be required to ensure that trade with the EU remains uninterrupted. We are well placed to handle all your customs declarations, but we need to start working with you now. A process has to be established. Your business needs to be ‘set up’ on the customs software and work needs to be done to ascertain the correct commodity codes are being used. This takes time so even if you do not require the service at the moment it is vital to have the process in place.
For further information please call 01782 224405
- Published in International Trade
AXA Health
Business healthcare cover
At AXA Health, we know that your people are your greatest asset. Offering healthcare cover shows your employees that you really value what they do for you. That you’re ready to invest in their health and wellbeing – and in getting them back on their feet again if they become unwell.
Healthcare cover can help to provide you with peace of mind that your team’s health and wellbeing is being looked after, so you can focus on your business.
Find out more about our offers for Chamber members: https://www.axahealth.co.uk/central-chambers/
- Published in Membership
Member Benefits
Whether you’re a large established organisation or a small developing enterprise, the Chamber provides you with the essential services designed to help your business grow. Your membership package includes over 20 free services, with more discounted benefits available exclusively to you.
Whether you are involved with a ‘start-up’ or long established company, the Chamber will support your business aspirations. The Chamber’s business experts can provide you with a range of services which will help you to develop your business, reduce costs, support your staff and add value to your business.
- Published in Membership
The Kickstart Scheme
As part of the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs in response to increasing job insecurity and the climbing rates of unemployment, the £2billion Kickstart Scheme is underway helping people get back into work.
Young people have been one of the demographics hit hardest by the Coronavirus, with around 8,500 young people in Staffordshire currently on Universal Credit.
If you can offer new, 6-month placements to help young people aged 16-24 develop new skills and experience, the Government will cover 100 percent of employment costs.
Employers will be paid the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours of work per week, plus National Insurance and Auto Enrolment Pension contributions. There is also a £1,500 grant per placement to help with set up and providing training to your placement.
Open to any size business, this is your opportunity to identify talent and work with them at no cost to your business!
- Published in Staff & HR, Start-Up & Grow
Experian My Business Profile
See how banks & suppliers view your Limited Company credit score with My Business Profile from Experian.
Includes a 90-day free trial followed by a discounted subscription for Staffordshire Chamber members and customers off £12.50 + Vat per month (50% discount) for continued usage. Cancel at any time.
Check and improve your business credit score
Being denied company credit can be bad news for your business, especially if you need finance to grow.
If your business has been refused credit or struggled to secure new finance, you’ll know how that can impact your plans. But is relying on your personal finances really the answer?
With My Business Profile, you get full visibility of your business credit profile, enabling you to understand what’s affecting your company credit score and preventing you from being able to obtain that all important company finance.
How does My Business Profile help?
- Find out the top 5 factors influencing your score
Give yourself the best chance when applying for business credit, by working on the areas that are affecting your score - See what lenders see when making credit decisions about your business
This is one of the only reports of its type to include commercial CAIS data, making it the most accurate and fully comprehensive view of your own business credit profile - Automatic Alerts
Receive alerts about significant changes, so you can act quickly to reduce any negative impacts to your score - Customer Support
On-going advice and support to help make your business credit score the best it can be
Login and visit the member area to receive your discount here.
- Published in Finance & Funding
Moneycorp
Are you importing, exporting, paying for a service abroad or receiving international funding? moneycorp are here to help
Through our partnership with Moneycorp, members can access:
- Preferential exchange rates
- Zero international payment fees*
- Free FX audit
- Multiple currency holding accounts when you open your moneycorp account
- A dedicated account manager for expert market guidance and hedging strategy
Sign up for a corporate FX account today.
We have helped more than 14,000 businesses with international payments, risk management solutions and tools to help businesses compete on the global stage. We ensure your funds get where they need to be on time and help minimise your currency costs. Sign up for a corporate international payments account today and discover how your business could reduce currency costs and risk in a global marketplace.
*certain limits may apply
- Published in International Trade
QES Survey
Through our Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) we help to contribute to the British Chambers of Commerce Economic Survey, Britain’s most influential private sector business survey. The QES, Britain’s longest-running, survey, has provided consistent data since 1989, and regularly receives more than 7,000 business responses nationally.
The QES is also a leading indicator – often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics and is used by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates. The HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility use the QES to put together their forecasts for the UK’s economic performance whereas the European Commission uses it to assess the health of the UK economy when it makes policy recommendations for both Westminster and Brussels.
- Published in Influence & Network
Sector Forums
Digital
This forum is here to drive the growing digital sector in Staffordshire, enabling businesses to freely exchange information, share best practice and discuss digital innovation, information communication technology and artificial intelligence
Tax & Finance
This forum brings together businesses from the finance and professional services and is tasked with exchanging information on taxation, corporate law and governance, finance, insurance and professional services sector issues. Recent topics for discussion included; making tax digital, GDPR, corporate governance and the Chancellor’s Budget.
Social Value & Procurement
This forum is specifically tailored to bring together business leaders from the Chamber membership who are looking to promote social value, CSR and social enterprises within Staffordshire. Methods to help grow social value within our community and local & national constraints are addressed and discussed.
Transport
This forum is tasked with exchanging information on transport, infrastructure, automation and modernisation in transport, and road, sea, rail and aviation policy. Recent topics covered include: M6 Smart Motorway project, HS2, automated vehicles, and electric vehicle charging points across Staffordshire. It also steers Chambers’ representations on these matters and receives updates on national transport policy.
Planning & Construction
This forum is tasked with exchanging information on planning policy, construction and regeneration. Recent topics covered include: Joint Local Plan for Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Local plans for Stafford Borough, and the NPPF. It also steers Chambers’ representations on these matters and receives updates on developments in planning law.
Employment, Skills & HR
This forum is tasked with exchanging information on human resources, skills, education and training. Recent topics covered include: the living wage, apprenticeship levy, and gender pay gap reporting. It also steers Chambers’ representations on these matters and receives updates on developments in employment law.
Rural Business
This forum is a strategic group to promote the interests of the rural business sector in Staffordshire. It champions and lobbies for specific strategies and policies that will benefit members and ensure the rural sector has a stronger voice in our community.
Energy, Environment & Sustainability
Sustainability This forum is tasked with exchanging information on energy, environmental concerns and sustainability within the private sector. Driving our policy understanding on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
To join the Forum discussion click here Hot Topics — Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
To find out more please call 01782 202222 or email info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
- Published in Influence & Network
Influence and Policy
Our influence and policy team aims to represent the interests of Staffordshire businesses at a local and national level. You can get involved to help shape Staffordshire by: Completing our Quarterly Economic Survey, Britain’s most influential private business survey and used by the HM Treasury, Bank of England and the European Commission to assess the health of the UK economy.
Raising your views and concerns at meetings with local authorities and MPs. As well as the host of benefits already available through standard membership packages, Staffordshire Chambers also offers more specific support by working closely with a variety of sectors. These bespoke sector packages offer a support service specially tailored to each specific trade.
In addition, the Chamber helps bring local businesses from a cross section of industries together, providing members with exceptional networking opportunities and new and useful contacts on a regular basis. If you believe that your industry would benefit from a specific sector support group, or would like to speak with any of our influence experts get in touch and see how you could grow.
To find out more please call 01782 202222
- Published in Influence & Network
Business Crime Helpline
The total price tag of burglary, shoplifting, robbery, criminal damage, theft and other offences against businesses in Staffordshire is estimated at over £7,300 per hour.
The Staffordshire Commissioners Office has commissioned Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce to deliver specialist support to businesses impacted by crime. Business Crime Advisors are trained to deliver tailored support packages to businesses following a crime.
If you have been the victim of a business crime or would like to find out more information about how you can support victims, call 01782 900239.
- Published in Finance & Funding
