Earlier this week we witnessed the biggest ever daily rise in the price of petrol with a jump of over 2p per litre.

We are already seeing the price of filling the average family car hit the £100 mark with no sign of a halt in the upward price trajectory.

Soaring fuel prices have been driven by the war in Ukraine and moves to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian oil, and although fuel duty was cut by 5p per litre in March, it made little difference and sadly wasn’t even passed on by some garage owners. There is a plan for the government to ‘name and shame’ those who didn’t comply with the cut, but this won’t really help businesses and consumers in the short term.

One freight owner reported this week that the cost of operating a single lorry is up by a staggering £20,000 on this time last year. This is leading to unprecedented pressure on freight companies and the wider supply chain.

On the positive side, wholesale prices have dropped and there is usually around a two-week gap until this is reflected by pump prices.

Whilst we sadly can’t influence the war in Ukraine, the Chambers believe what the government can do is act again and immediately on the fuel duty and VAT. It is estimated that for each litre of fuel sold the government takes around £1 in VAT and duty. This rises with the wholesale price and so perhaps a cut or cap on the VAT would help to put the brakes on spiralling prices.

For those of you with an electric vehicle (EV) I am pleased to say that the two EV charge points at Commerce House, Festival Park have been replaced and are now fully operational. Why not spend some time in our members lounge, catching up on emails or having a meeting with hot free drinks and Wi-Fi for Chamber members, whilst your EV charges?

And my final motor themed posting is to remind you that the Chambers AA Roadside Assistance package offers breakdown assistance cover at around half the price you would pay by going to the AA direct.

It is available to employers and staff alike and as an example, a Chamber member business in the 1-10 employee category which took out breakdown cover on six vehicles could cover the cost of annual Chamber membership.

If you would like to find out more and be ready to switch to AA Roadside Assistance when your present cover expires, please contact membership@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or call the number below.

If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

My blogs of late have been somewhat doom-laden, reporting on the latest sets of economic figures, soaring costs and global crises caused by the terrible situation in Ukraine.

So, this week I have decided to take a break from the bad news and celebrate a remarkable achievement from a remarkable woman.

As we head towards an extended Bank Holiday to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, I wanted to pay the Chambers’ own tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

Over the course of her reign, she has always been a 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 commands the level of universal love and respect that the Queen does.

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.

Now we have our opportunity to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, the only monarch to have reached such a milestone. It is an extraordinary moment for her and the country.

To put it into perspective just how long 70 years is, only 8.5 million of the UK’s 68.5 million population were alive when she became Queen in 1952.

The Queen is 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 2^nd June.

The long weekend is a chance to celebrate the Jubilee, raising a toast to the Queen for the dignified and selfless service she has gifted all of us over the past 70 years.

And with hundreds of local events and parties to enjoy it just remains for me to wish everyone a happy and memorable Jubilee weekend.

If you want to talk to us about any business issues including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Another week in politics when yet again we all feel frustrated, punch drunk and devoid of answers to the harsh issues facing consumers and business.

So, it was welcome news earlier today (26 May) that Rishi Sunak acknowledged the acute distress’ caused to millions by inflation and announced in his cost-of-living statement that households in England, Scotland and Wales are set to have £400 knocked off energy bills this winter as part of a £15bn support package. All households will now receive the minimum £400 payment towards bills replacing the proposed £200 loan. There will also be additional help for those with the lowest income.

The extra money to pay for this subsidy will be largely funded by a 25% windfall tax on oil and gas firms.

But it still begs the question of what help is available for business facing mounting costs, supply chain and labour problems – as there was precious little mentioned in the Chancellor’s statement?

Staffordshire Chambers and the British Chambers of Commerce will be continuing calls for an emergency budget and pressuring the government for answers as simply leaving firms to sink or swim is totally unacceptable. It will lead to untold damage to our already beleaguered economy.

It is important that you let us have your views and concerns so that we can represent you at the highest level on this crucial issue. Please get in touch by the methods below or post on our Virtual Members Lounge at www.staffordshirechambers.co.uk

In the meantime, businesses can check out what help is available from Ofgem

Getting help if your business can’t afford its energy bills | Ofgem

Environmentally Conscious Staffordshire

As part of the global effort to tackle climate change, we are committed to supporting businesses in our region in becoming world leaders in environment and sustainability. Due to the pandemic, new ways of working have grown to become a priority for most people who are now looking to join companies who share common interests. The Environmentally Conscious Staffordshire campaign provides businesses with key updates and changes they can make within their workplace to become world leaders in the race to Net Zero.

The campaign focuses on three main areas: clean air, carbon literacy and net zero. It provides a series of case studies and webinars to help support businesses in Staffordshire overcome the challenges of becoming carbon neutral and sustainable.

The three areas of focus for this campaign align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) which the Chambers has pledged to focus on and support businesses in order to create their own plan of action towards the goals.

You can find out more and get involved here: Environmentally Conscious Staffordshire – Staffordshire Chambers

If you want to talk to us about business issues highlighted above, or any other issues including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

As UK inflation hits 9% – an eye-watering 7% more than the Bank of England’s target – businesses across the country have felt the growing cost of doing business as well as the damaging squeeze on their ability to invest and operate at full capacity.

April’s inflationary surge reflected the continued upward pressure on prices ranging from higher energy and commodity costs as well as the energy price cap and the reversal of the VAT reduction for hospitality.

Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, Suren Thiru, believes that the rate of inflation and its damage to key drivers of UK output such as consumer spending and business investments means there is a real chance the UK will be in recession by the third quarter of the year.

Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “The cost of doing business crisis must be resolved if the UK economy is to develop and progress through these challenging times. The government must provide financial support to firms, especially SMEs who are particularly struggling to cope with higher raw material prices, higher national insurance contributions and less consumer spending.

“Soaring inflation means that a rise in interest rates in June is inevitable, however, the increase in interest rates is unlikely to address the global factors driving the inflationary surge, instead it risks undermining business confidence and aggravating the financial squeeze on both consumers and businesses.”

As prices are increasing faster than the average income and purchasing power continues to erode, the higher cost of living and doing business will continue to impact the country’s economic growth.

The Bank of England has stated that the painful squeeze on living standards which has primarily been driven by soaring energy prices is set to intensify and will consequently push the UK into a recession later on in the year.

Although surging global energy and commodity prices aren’t directly in the UK government’s control, offering financial support to consumers and businesses through this difficult period will undoubtedly ease the burden and pressures that they are currently facing.

By reversing the National Insurance contributions and cutting VAT on business energy bills to 5%, firms will be in a stronger position to grow, invest and support their staff.

You can join the conversation now on our Virtual Members’ Lounge around inflation by answering the anonymous poll or by sharing your thoughts in the comments section: https://lounge.staffordshirechambers.co.uk/discussion/920/have-you-felt-the-impacts-of-inflation-on-your-business.

If you want to talk to us about business issues highlighted above, or any other issues including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or email rhouda.elalfy@staffordshirechambers.co.uk.

Quarterly Economic Survey

Our own quarterly economic survey for quarter 2 of 2022 launched last week, acting as a barometer of business sentiment across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. Businesses that take part in the survey will help to shape and influence current policy thinking as the data is shared with the BCC, government departments including HM treasury and the Cabinet Officer as well as the Bank of England.

We want to hear from firms of all shapes and sizes as this will help us to portray an accurate picture of the current business landscape. We understand your time is precious, even more so now, so thank you to all those who complete the survey!

Results from research carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), of more than 1,100 UK employers has uncovered a startling picture of the negative impacts from April’s increase in National Insurance contributions.

Four out of five employers (81 percent) say they have been impacted by the increase and higher prices, reduced investment and increased staff costs were among the main effects cited. Employers also expect wages to increase by a median average of 5% over the next year.

Respondents said the rise in employer contributions to National Insurance (NI) from 13.8 percent to 15.05 percent had increased staffing costs, forced some to put up their prices, and meant they would be limiting investment.

As part of its call for an Emergency Budget, Staffordshire Chambers and the BCC are calling for the rise to be immediately reversed for at least a year, as firms battle surging costs on multiple fronts.

Chambers are calling for action to give businesses a chance to keep a lid on rising prices, boost productivity and ease cost pressures thus creating an environment for investment.

The rise in NI contributions has not been helpful as firms struggle to recover from the effects of the Covid pandemic and businesses are already facing a toxic mix of surging inflation, rising energy costs and supply chain disruption making this increase very hard to swallow.

We are also experiencing a tight labour market which is already pushing up staff costs and the NI rise has only served to exacerbate that pressure, without having a positive impact on recruitment.

However, it is not too late to change tack and push the increase back until firms are in a better place to take on the extra burden.

The costs crises facing firms and people in the street are directly related and if we can ease the pressure on businesses, then they can keep a lid on the price rises.

Acting now will also put businesses in a better position to create the future profits needed to fill tax coffers.

The BCC measures for an Emergency Budget are:

• Postponing the rise in NI contributions to not only ease the immediate pressure on companies’ balance sheets but also put money back into the pockets of people – boosting consumer confidence. When supply chain disruption has unwound and global factors influencing inflation have receded the economy will then be in a much stronger position to bear the increase.

• Cutting VAT on business energy bills to 5 percent for all businesses which would provide a brake on soaring costs. For example: a small business which has an energy bill of £10,000 and currently pays the standard 20 percent rate would pay £2,000 VAT. Our proposal would see that cut to £500. This measure could be adjusted over time to take account of those sectors most in need.

• Many businesses in the UK are still seeing above average absence rates as Covid continues to impact the workforce. Around two thirds of more than 1,100 firms surveyed in April reported staff absences due to Covid symptoms or self-isolation. Bringing back free testing would allow firms to limit the disease’s spread among employees. With wider structural staff shortages continuing to limit productivity this would be a key measure to keep the economic recovery on track.  New sub-variants of Omicron are reportedly leading to rising infection rates in the US and South Africa.

Our latest quarterly economic survey is now open  

All the above only brings into sharp focus the importance of our own quarterly economic survey (QES) as a barometer of business sentiment across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

The information you provide will help to shape and influence current policy thinking as the data is shared with the BCC, Government departments including HM Treasury and the Cabinet officer as well as the Bank of England.

As always, we want to hear from firms of all shapes and sizes (starts ups, sole traders, SMEs, medium sized and large corporations) as it helps to portray an accurate picture of the current business landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned director or relatively new to your company, it would be fantastic if you could spare just a few minutes to fill in the survey so that we can let those who make the decisions how they can improve business conditions.

The link to the survey is – https://bit.ly/3yG4fsD

If you want to talk to us about business issues highlighted above, or any other issues including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

As part of the Chambers’ focus throughout May on SDG 3, Good Health & Wellbeing, Cornwells Chemist of Newcastle-under-Lyme have written a guest blog on how they’re helping to promote good health in our local community.

Established in 1835, Cornwell’s Chemists grew from a single store to a group of seven pharmacies proudly based in Staffordshire. Today, Cornwell’s Chemists is one the largest family-owned chain of pharmacies in Staffordshire. We have selectively retained our local presence and we employ over a hundred people within the Staffordshire community.

We believe in training from the outset and in retaining the best: many of our employees work with us for most of their adult lives and their loyalty and commitment to Cornwell’s Chemists and our customers reflect our core ethos – we truly are a ‘family’ company.

As the world looks to get back on its feet post-covid, Cornwell’s are primed to work with the NHS and other stakeholders to better the health of the nation by offering an array of private and NHS services. Here are some of the healthcare services we are currently offering across Staffordshire.

Our private services include health check MOTs to help monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and BMI, earwax removal and blood testing.

We also specialise in Hypertension Case Finding, which is the biggest risk factor for Cardiovascular disease and is one of the top five risk factors for all premature death and disability in England.  An estimated 5.5 million people have undiagnosed hypertension across the country.

CVD is a key driver of health inequalities, accounting for around 25% of the life expectancy gap (27% in men and 24% in women) between rich and poor populations in England. Those in the most deprived 10% of the population are almost twice as likely to die as a result of CVD than those in the least deprived 10% of the population. Additionally, 60% of excess mortality for those living with severe mental illness can be attributed to preventable physical health conditions, such as heart disease.

Residents of the most deprived areas in England are 30% more likely to have high blood pressure (BP) compared to those in the least deprived areas. Community pharmacy BP monitoring has the potential to increase the detection of hypertension within local populations and is expected to positively impact health inequalities by targeting people who do not routinely see their GP or use other NHS services.

Cornwell’s Chemists are working alongside the NHS to offer free spot-check BP tests to over 40s with undiagnosed blood pressure. If the BP is showing to be high, we can conduct a more thorough BP check, known as an ambulatory blood pressure monitoring session, whereby we fit a monitor to detect blood pressure over 24hours. This may then result in us liaising with the GP to offer the patient early treatment for high blood pressure if the results deem it necessary.

Cornwell’s also operate female health clinics – an accessible healthcare service that includes things like emergency hormonal contraception and urinary interact infection service.

Staffordshire-based digital agency eighty3creative secured funding from the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub to double its turnover and help local businesses grow.

Despite the challenges presented in a post-pandemic world, eighty3creative enjoyed a record year.

Since 2008, the digital agency based in Wombourne, Staffordshire, has provided businesses with affordable and ROI-driven digital marketing, web design and branding services.

As a prominent member of the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, eighty3creative has actively supported local businesses throughout the pandemic and empowered them to reach new heights of growth and turnover.

Just one of these ways was providing clients with a pay-monthly plan for e-commerce website development and digital marketing services, as opposed to traditional expensive up-front costs.

This monthly plan has enabled smaller businesses in the Staffordshire community to create a digital presence and prioritise business growth and development.

“As we all know, the world’s gone digital”, said eighty3creative’s Managing Director, Craig Slater.

“We’re repaying the faith awarded to us by the Staffordshire Chambers Of Commerce to try and make a real difference to the local community. The funding received from the Staffordshire Growth Hub has enabled us to service more clients and make an even bigger impact.”

Craig concluded, “Our approach is to grow with the client and to add value. We understand the importance of digital, but we also appreciate the costs involved in building an e-commerce website and utilising digital marketing.

“That’s why we offer our clients an ROI-driven monthly service, not just one-off smaller jobs, which garner limited tangible results. The funding has given us a platform to do what we know and do best, but for more local businesses.”

Over the past 12 months, eighty3creative have helped many notable local businesses in Staffordshire and the West Midlands thrive using digital marketing, including Hills Electrical, Wolverson X-Ray Ltd, Ramsay Rubber & Plastics Ltd.

Since receiving the funding, eighty3creative has hired a new web developer and office manager to offer a more rounded and supportive service. After doubling their turnover, they hope to build on this triumph and collaborate with more forward-thinking businesses in 2022.

If you’re interested to know more about E3C, visit their website.

Policy Spotlight with Rhouda: Chamber launches third campaign in ‘Environmentally Conscious Staffordshire’ series.

Staffordshire Chambers is proud to launch our third campaign in our ‘Environmentally Conscious Staffordshire’ series. Net Zero focuses on providing up-to-date information and resources for our members and the wider business community on ways that they can work towards achieving net zero.

Becoming net zero is about achieving a balance between the carbon emitted into the atmosphere and the carbon removed from it. In order to do this, it is essential that firms in all sectors reduce their emissions and find new and sustainable ways of working.

Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “At the Chambers we recognise the current climate emergency that the world is in, and we believe that businesses have an important role to play. Through our campaign series, we aim to support as many businesses in the region as possible to work towards achieving net zero and creating a sustainable city.

“We are delighted to have been able to work with some of our business members throughout this campaign who have demonstrated their efforts and changes that they have made within their company towards reaching this goal.  We hope that through this campaign we will see more businesses take the lead and increase their global competitiveness by reducing their carbon emissions and finding new and sustainable methods of working.”

The Chambers will also continue to lobby government so that more support is provided to SMEs who require funding and resources to make the necessary changes in reducing their carbon footprint. If you would like to discuss any issues that your firm is currently facing regarding the move to net zero, please get in touch by calling our switchboard on 01782 202222 or by emailing rhouda.elalfy@staffordshirechambers.co.uk.

You can find out more information about our different campaigns by clicking here. If you would like the opportunity share what your firm is doing towards net zero, please get in touch by emailing rhouda.elalfy@staffordshirechambers.co.uk.

Our Energy, Environment and Sustainability Forum allows members to meet and discuss environmental concerns and sustainability within the private sector and promotes the development of a sustainable economy within Staffordshire. The Forum meets quarterly, with the next meeting taking place in June. If you are interested in attending, please get in touch with vicki.hardie@staffordshirechambers.co.uk. sdg

Last year HMRC announced that the Customs Handling of Import & Export Freight Computer system (CHIEF ) will be fully replaced by a new system called the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) in 2023.

CHIEF will finally be closed in two phases:

• On 30 September 2022, it will no longer be usable for import declarations
• On 31 March 2023, export declarations will close on the CHIEF and the National Exports System (NES)

What Does This Mean?

That means that all businesses will have to make sure their customs brokers are up to speed with all changes and are confident in using the new system.

How Can We Help?

All Customs Broker staff in Staffordshire’s International Trade team have been on extensive CDS training with a HMRC approved training organisation and are fully accredited to complete your declarations.

In addition to allowing us to complete your export/import declarations, the new Customs Declaration Service will let you:

• Get your postponed import VAT statements or get your import VAT certificates so you can complete your VAT return
• Download monthly Deferment Account statements
• Make VAT and Duty payments
• Set up or change an intermediary or agent
• Keep a track of all your export and import declarations

What is Customs Declaration Service (CDS)?

It is already used for declarations for cross-border trade with non-EU markets and for goods moved between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

ChamberCustoms is one of the first customs brokers in the country who completed live declarations on the new CDS system, with the team here at Staffordshire being at the forefront.

Two months ago, we at Staffordshire completed the 1st EVER CDS export entry in the UK. Over the last 12 months we have been working closely with HMRC testing the new system and giving the feedback, so we are fully prepared for all changes.

What Should I Do?

As the first step of the transition to CDS all importers and exporters must register for use of the new system on the government website. You can do it by following the link below, it will take you no longer than 10 minutes: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service

At this current time, most customs brokers will still be completing the majority of entries on CHIEF until further notice, however, by completing the changeover process now, it allows an easier transition over to CDS before the CHIEF system used for Imports is disabled by HMRC in September.

It is our objective to move all our importing customers over to the new CDS system by August 2022, so we are ahead of the curve before CHIEF is switched off for imports.

As always, we are here to support all businesses. If you have any concerns about your customs clearances or any other international trade question, please give us a call:  01782 202222 and choose option 1 for International Trade, Alternatively you can send an email to chambercustoms@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

On Thursday, Westminster came to Stoke-on-Trent as Boris Johnson hosted a meeting of senior government ministers at Middleport Pottery as ‘a prime example of levelling up in action’.

The cabinet discussed how proposed legislation in the Queen’s Speech, including planning reform and the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, would benefit areas such as Stoke-on-Trent which has been described as a ‘litmus test’ for the government’s levelling up agenda, and the city has been allocated £56 million of government funding for a series of regeneration schemes, including Etruscan Square in Hanley and the Goods Yard next to Stoke Station.

The Government says that the proposals included in the Queen’s Speech will further boost Stoke-on-Trent, by supporting the creation of more jobs and homes and improving living standards.

Tuesday’s Queen’s Speech had some welcome measures for business, but unless the Government takes immediate action on the economy, they will come too late to help many firms.

Chambers have already made it clear to government that an emergency budget is needed to provide firms with the breathing space they need to raise productivity and strengthen the economy.

The costs crises facing firms and people in the street are two sides of the same coin. If we can ease the pressure on businesses then they can keep a lid on the price rises being driven by surging energy bills, staff shortages and higher taxes.

Only after an emergency budget will some of the legislation set out in the Queen’s Speech have a chance to drive our economy forward. However, it will take some pressure as we heard from Michael Gove on Wednesday that the Government is resisting this option.

Businesses will then be able to focus on supporting the missions set out in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, as well as reaping the benefits from the infrastructure programmes outlined today. However, to really speed up delivery of infrastructure projects, much wider reform of the planning system is needed to streamline the process and reduce complexity.

The Higher Education Bill gives a welcome commitment to create a flexible lifelong loan entitlement that allows adults to upskill and reskill for the changing workplace. Funding for modular learning is crucial to help people gain technical skills and ensure employers can access a skilled workforce.

The Brexit Freedoms Bill has the potential to unlock innovation and expansion in a range of new and developing technologies, especially the expanding world of Net Zero products and services.

We will want to look closely at how any changes will help business domestically but also their impact on our trade links and exports with the EU.

What we don’t want to see is deregulation for its own sake. We should not complicate our trading relationship by diverging so far it makes UK goods and services unsellable into Europe.

If you have any questions, views or concerns about the issues above please contact us info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or join the debate at our virtual members lounge Virtual Members’ Lounge (staffordshirechambers.co.uk)

Refer a business – get free hospitality vouchers

Did you know that you can refer a business to join the Chambers and in return you will get hospitality vouchers worth up to £100 once they sign up to membership?

It’s a simple process, all you need to do is fill in the details on our online form and we contact the business. Once they have joined, we will inform you and you can choose your vouchers from a range of great venues including Aston Marina, Trentham Estate, The Potters Club, Doubletree by Hilton, Port Vale FC and many more.

To see how simple it is to refer a business and to view the full range of hospitality venue voucher suppliers, visit the page on our website: Refer a Business – Staffordshire Chambers

If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk