Staffordshire Chambers will be supporting Ukrainian refugees with employability skills and businesses start-up advice as part of our Positive Pathways programme.

Ukrainian refugees have been fast-tracked onto the programme, which is designed to support refugees across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire with meaningful employability skills, interview techniques and support to start their own businesses.

Chris Plant, Deputy CEO of Staffordshire Chambers, said: “We’re proud to support refugees from all walks of life at the Chamber, including those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine who have had to leave their homes during such horrifying and heartbreaking circumstances.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine and we’d encourage anyone who’s eligible for the programme to get in touch.”

Participants will be able to access the informative course on start-up business advice and employability skills such as CV writing and job applications.

If you know someone who is suitable for the positive pathways programme, please contact positivepathways@staffordshirechambers.co.uk or visit the website, here.

Unfortunately, the situation in Ukraine is rapidly turning into a catastrophe. The aggressive nature of the Russian invasion is causing a terrible loss of life and displacement of potentially the largest number of people in Europe since World War II.

If there is a positive to be taken from this horror, it is that the West and many major corporations now seems resolved to defund and cripple the Putin war machine by increasingly punishing sanctions and isolationist actions.

The US has announced a complete ban on Russian oil, gas and coal imports after Ukraine called for sanctions to be expanded. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also announced that the UK is to phase out Russian oil by the end of the year, and the EU is reducing its Russian gas imports by two-thirds. The UK government says this allows enough time for them to find alternative supplies.

We only currently import around 5-6 percent of our gas from Russia, despite its status as the second-largest gas producer in the world (contributing 17 percent to global gas output in 2020). However, the current energy crisis in the UK is being driven by rising global gas prices and the volatility in this market will continue to affect UK energy costs.

Many European nations have agreed that increasing the use of renewable energy is one of the solutions to reliance on Russian gas. The PM has confirmed that the UK will ‘cease the dependence on Russian oil and gas that for too long has given Putin his grip on western politics’. The UK will therefore have to reduce our demand for gas or replace it with other sources. In the near-term, our reliance on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is likely to increase but increased global competition for this resource will drive costs up.

Energy bills in the UK are therefore likely to continue to rise sharply as a direct result of the conflict in Ukraine and the sanctions imposed on Russian exports.
The UK government has been clear that investment in renewable energy is key to mitigating against price rises. We are already a global leader in producing renewable energy – continuing to invest in home-grown energy will shield businesses and households from further price spikes.

What can businesses do?

Since the onset of the energy and gas crisis, the concept of increased energy efficiency has received additional attention as a means of reducing gas (and energy consumption), thereby reducing bills. Reducing the amount of energy consumed will be vital for businesses in the immediate future. With gas prices set to continue rising, this is likely to be the most effective way of lowering bills for some time.

Here are some other points to consider:

• Alongside considering switching to a renewable energy tariff, businesses may wish to consider investing in greater energy efficiency on their premises as a way of reducing their energy bills.
• Due to the high cost of gas, it is likely that from April, it will be cheaper to run an electric heat pump than a gas boiler for the first time.
• Other measures such as cavity wall and loft insulation reduce gas demand, reducing bills.
• Upgrading a building from Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band D, the average rating in the UK, to band C, reduces heat demand by an average of 20 percent per building.
• Upgrading all buildings to band C would cut gas demand by seven percent and net imports by five percent.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have produced a list of 10 things businesses can do to lower their emissions. Taking steps to improve your energy efficiency will help to do that, while also reducing operating costs.

At the end of the day short to medium term financial hardship is nothing compared to the suffering of millions of innocent Ukrainians.

#StandByUkraine

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

Given the terrible situation in Ukraine we at the Chamber are keen to do all we can to support the humanitarian aid effort.

The Government and International Aid Agencies, including the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) are urging people for financial contributions because supply chains are already tight, charities can buy in bulk and get the correct type of aid to people more quickly by buying in the countries where the refugees are located.

However, we appreciate that people are wanting to take ‘aid in kind’ (blankets, food, clothing..etc) to the Countries surrounding Ukraine. Therefore, the Chamber Network will be offering FREE export declarations for goods leaving the UK for humanitarian purposes. Click Here for information on the free Customs Declarations

We are proudly flying the Ukrainian Flag in our Member’s Lounge and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine.

#StandWithUkraine

I, like you all, have watched in disbelief and horror as the unthinkable became grim reality last week when Russia invaded Ukraine.

The naked and brutal aggression of Putin is pitted against the dogged resistance and bravery of the shattered Ukrainian nation and its proud and determined people led by unbowed president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

They are fighting for their freedoms and a future, values that we ourselves have taken for granted for so long, and which now seem imperilled by one man and his grossly misguided delusions of rebuilding a lost empire, whatever the cost and by whatever increasingly barbaric methods it takes.

Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce stands firmly with Ukraine, and we will do everything we can to demonstrate our support.

I know that many businesses and individuals are organising the collection of vital supplies of clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, medical supplies, nappies, and other baby supplies for transportation to the Ukrainian border.

The Agie and Katie Polish restaurant in Burslem is one such business collecting supplies for Ukraine. At the Chambers, Sonia Bhattle is coordinating a collection o supplies in conjunction with her friend’s Telford based business.

The Government has announced that it will double the number of Ukrainians eligible to come to Britain to 200,000 and I know that private landlords are already looking at ways in which they can house the additional refugees. I am sure that as I write this there are countless initiatives, locally and nationally that are reacting to the swiftly escalating refugee crisis that is unfolding.

If you would like to help refugees, Ukrainian and others, you can offer emergency accommodation through the refugeecouncil.org.uk or roomforrefugees.com. They will support you every step of the way in providing this much-needed shelter as refugees only have a short period of time to try and get their lives more organised.

Many of our Staffordshire businesses are involved with trade with Russia and Ukraine and we are here to offer our support on all aspects of that trade through our international trade team based at the Chambers. If you need support on any international trade issues, you will find the contact details here, or call 01782 202222.

I fear we will see an escalation in violence and destruction in Ukraine and we need to brace ourselves for some dark days.

Putin had gambled on dividing opinions and loyalties in the West. However, by implementing punitive sanctions and condemnation, Europe and its allies have already shown Mr Putin that we are as one in our condemnation of his aggression.

We will continue to support the Ukrainian people in whatever way we can. Trading conditions will be difficult, prices will rise, and the flow of goods and services will be affected. However, this is a price we all must pay to defend democracy and the right to freedom and peace.

If you would like to donate any supplies for Ukraine, please email Sonia sonia.bhattle@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Please let us know if there are any Ukraine initiatives you would like us to publicise.

And as ever we are here to help with all your business needs, and you can contact us by calling 01782 202222 or info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk

Warmest Regards

Sara

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in the early hours of yesterday morning, has stirred the UK to impose the “largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever seen” that would “hobble” the country’s economy, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs at 5pm yesterday.

As the invasion of Ukraine unfolded across the day, Johnson gave some detail on planned sanctions – focusing mainly on the finance, defence and technology sectors – with more to follow in the coming days.

Export Support Service Expanded

Johnson’s statement to the House of Commons came as the Government said it will be expanding its Export Support Service to help businesses trading with Russia and Ukraine to deal with the invasion’s trade implications. He urged businesses worried about trade to contact the service.

The Export Support Service helpline, contactable on 0300-303-8955, has had its hours extended through to the end of the weekend, from 08:00 – 22:00 Thursday-Sunday inclusive.

Alternatively, companies can access the ESS landing page which also features a dedicated link for Ukraine and Russia enquiries.

Not all exports to Russia have been sanctioned, however, sanctions do include:

– Dual-use export licences to Russia covering components that can be used for military purposes to be suspended

-Legislation to prohibit a wide range of hi-tech exports to Russia, including semiconductors, aircraft parts and oil refinery equipment

Further sanctions include:

– Legislation to prohibit Russian companies from raising finance on UK markets

– Sanctions against more than 100 individuals, entities and their subsidiaries

– An imminent ban on the Russian airline Aeroflot

Detailed information on the full range of sanctions can be read here.

At the Chamber, we are still processing Export Documentation for non-sanctioned goods to both Ukraine and Russia. Our International Trade Team can be contacted here.

We will of course keep you updated on the rollout of sanctions and any counter-sanctions imposed by Russia on the UK.

Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine at this most difficult time.