The Queen’s final journey

Monday is a solemn and momentous day for everyone in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and beyond, as the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place at Westminster Abbey.

During the last week we have witnessed shock, grief and reflection as well as a real sense of a celebration of the Queen’s life of service. A life where she concentrated on the positive and amplified this rather than looking at that which divides us.

Politics and division have been put aside in this period and the procedure of succession, the transition of Charles to King and arrangements for the Queen’s final journey has taken their place.

The Bank Holiday on Monday, the day of the funeral, is a day when the nation will again come together, as we did for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. To reflect on the positive effect and stability the Queen has gifted us all with over her 70-year reign.

Latest inflation figures

The latest inflation figures for August 2022 show a rise in Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation by 9.9%, showing a slight dip but doing little to ease the sustained pressure businesses and consumers have been facing over the past year.

This is also reflected in the squeeze on businesses’ operating costs as Producer Price Inflation (PPI) figures remain at record highs of 20.5% in the year to August 2022.

While the rate of growth has eased slightly, driven by a fall in fuel costs – most other goods continue to rise.

There is a limit to how long any business can sustain these rising costs before something has to give and British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) research, including input from Staffordshire firms, shows that two thirds of businesses plan to increase prices if they haven’t already done so.

Last week’s Government intervention on energy prices should have a dampening effect on inflation when it is enacted, however the lack of detail on exactly what help individual businesses will get, and for how long, means very few will be planning to invest any time soon.

Other issues ranging from transport and shipping costs, raw material prices, energy sector regulation and the tight labour market that must be addressed.

It is imperative the Government’s forthcoming ‘fiscal intervention’ provides business with confidence that there is a cohesive plan to take the economy forward.

As always if you would like to address a particular problem email info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or join the debate in our Virtual Members Lounge: Virtual Members’ Lounge (staffordshirechambers.co.uk)

I was greatly saddened, as I am sure you all were, to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday evening.

At the age of 21, she publicly announced that she would devote her life to the service of our country and the Commonwealth, and she was true to her word right up to her final official duty this week in appointing the 15th Prime Minister of her reign, Liz Truss.

Over the course of her reign, she has always been a dignified, gentle, thoughtful and reassuring presence as the world around us has changed, and through the highs and lows we have experienced as a nation.

I cannot think of a head of state anywhere else in the world that commanded the level of universal love and respect that the Queen did.

Throughout her life, and on her many travels around the world, she has always managed to negotiate the delicate art of being seen as a representative of the people of the United Kingdom rather than a representative of its government.

At the start of her reign, she was quick to recognise that the Commonwealth bore no resemblance to the Empire of the past and that our relationship with Commonwealth nations was one of friendship and cooperation for the common good of the people.

To some, the Commonwealth symbolised the decline of Britain’s influence in the world. Its early years also coincided with tensions over the arrival in the UK of immigrants from former colonies.

But the Queen’s enthusiasm remained undimmed. “To that new conception of an equal partnership of nations and races I shall give myself heart and soul every day of my life,” she promised in a 1953 speech.

This year we had the opportunity to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee – it was an extraordinary moment for her and the country.

The Queen was patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, and I was especially delighted and honoured to receive an invitation, along with our president Kate Beardmore, to the Trooping of the Colour on 2nd June.

The period of mourning following her passing is an opportunity for us all to reflect on the selfless service, respect, and generosity she gifted to all of us over the past 70 years.

We now have a new King, Charles III, and I send him and all his family our deepest felt condolences on behalf of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, on the loss of his mother, our Queen.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce has been selected by the Secretary of State for Education to lead the development and delivery of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) for Stoke-On-Trent and Staffordshire.

The Chambers has been designated as the employer representative body to take forward the LSIP for Stoke-On-Trent Staffordshire, as it is rolled out across the country.

Skills shortages are regularly highlighted by businesses as a key recruitment issue, and LSIPs, funded by the Department for Education, aim to put the voice of local employers at the heart of the learning and skills system to build a stronger, more dynamic partnership between employers and education providers.

It is hoped this will allow provision to be more responsive to the skills needs of employers in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire labour market.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Sara Williams said: “This designation provides us with the exciting opportunity to build upon our work with the local skills agenda and bring together employers, training providers and other key stakeholders across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to continue to respond to our skills priorities.”

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce is one of 32 Accredited Chambers of Commerce which will lead LSIPs across the country, supported by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Jane Gratton, of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are delighted that so many Accredited Chambers have been designated by the Secretary of State. The chamber network will use its convening power and deep knowledge of their local economies and communities to develop clear plans to address skills challenges faced by businesses.

“Chambers will bring together local businesses, training providers and a broad range of stakeholders to identify the skills needed to increase opportunities and enable economic growth for the benefit of everyone in the community.

“This is an opportunity for employers to shape how their current and future workforce can access the right training to thrive in the modern, more digital and greener workplace. More than 10,000 businesses were engaged in the eight Chamber-led trailblazers. Building on this learning and success, we will ensure that planning for local skills is aligned with the job opportunities and growth ambitions of employers.

“An efficient, network approach will enable the sharing of best practice to boost outcomes for people wherever they live, work and train. Closing the skills gap across all regions and sectors will help all communities, and we are proud to see, once again, Accredited Chambers at heart of local growth.”

SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce member, Water Plus, has shared their expert advice on what to look at to spot opportunities, cut any areas of water waste and lower running costs, including energy.

Although water is under Scope three on your emissions, it shouldn’t be looked at last as it can help lower energy costs too. Getting more data, on where water is used, is an important first step.

Mark Taylor, Advanced Services Operations Manager in England for water retailer Water Plus, said: “With energy costs in the news, there are some areas where there are low-cost opportunities and options for organisations, particularly if the number of people at sites is fluctuating through a year. This is why tracking what water is used throughout a year is important.

“Use a lot of water or have more than one meter? Data loggers that can be placed on water meters help you spot saving opportunities too – and highlight additional areas needing attention.”

Mark continued: “As there are carbon emissions linked to the water you get through taps, and the wastewater taken away and treated, it also shows that by just boiling the water you need in work kitchen kettles – to reducing water waste from any leaks, including dripping taps, running toilets from cisterns – and elsewhere at your site – soon adds up to lowering running costs, creating less carbon overall and using less energy too.”

Water Plus created the water cycle image this year, to help highlight the carbon emissions linked to water – to help raise awareness around opportunities for organisations of all sizes.

SDG 6 also includes water efficiency.

If you have a number of taps, toilets – or even showers – then flow rate restrictors will soon add up to much lower water bills. Regular meter reads, ideally each month, or more frequently, for example as part of other daily checks in your operation when you’re using more water, also keeps you on top of costs by spotting water issues early.

This year a rugby club said it has cut its water use by 36%, on peak days, after Water Plus worked with them around installing more water efficiency devices including tap aerators and water-efficient showerheads. The work with the rugby club also identified a slow trickling leak, losing 12 litres of water an hour, which wouldn’t have been visible on just their water bill.

If less water needs heating, then less energy needs to be used -reducing the carbon emissions, unless your power is from 100% certified renewable energy already.

Plus, there’s a big 130% tax deduction currently available for organisations that invest in equipment including fittings in their buildings – so it’s a great time to look at water saving*.

You can read more about what you can do with water here

To contact the Advanced Services and proactive water management team at Water Plus, email hello@water-plus.co.uk .