Archive - June, 2010

GWE Business West response to budget

June 23, 2010 in Policy & Legislation with Comments Off

There was much for business to welcome in the Chancellor’s first budget. But it has also raised a number of questions and created some fears.

It was good to hear an emphasis put on the need for the recovery to be led by the private sector and referral to supporting private enterprise and providing incentives for people to go out to work.  And the announcement that Corporation tax will fall gradually to 24% and the Small Companies tax rate will be cut to 20% and not increased to 22% as had been planned by the previous Government.

Among the questions will be just how some Government Departments will deliver savings of up to 25%, what impact the rise in VAT will have on business and the economy in general, and just what cuts will local authorities face? Some answers will come with the announcement of the Public Spending Review in October.

Nigel Hutchings, Director, Chambers of Commerce, GWE Business West, said, “The Budget confirmed that Regional Development Agencies in England will be replaced by Local Enterprise Partnerships. A White Paper is expected this Summer. GWE Business West is taking a lead role in bringing the business community together to be at the forefront of this debate across Gloucestershire, West of England and Swindon/Wiltshire. We agree with British Chambers of Commerce on this issue – Chambers of Commerce and business need to be ready to take on a leadership role in any new arrangements. “

John Savage, Managing Director, GWE Business West said, “Our fears lie in what the Chancellor had to say about generating new jobs across the country as a whole. The creation of an Economic Growth Fund to support capital projects sounds like good news, but when he came to confirming the go ahead for a number of large infrastructure projects, they were all either in the Midlands or the North.

“Whilst welcoming the intention to support continued investment in capital projects, we are concerned at the lack of reference to the South West region and the many schemes now hanging in the balance in our area. Many of our Chamber of Commerce and other business members have constantly campaigned for the need to redress the infrastructure deficit in the South West and the Bristol city region in particular, with many schemes actively supported by the business community.

“There is a real risk that Government may have a perception that our area is not as needy as elsewhere. However, we know that improvements to our transport system, for example, are absolutely vital if we are to continue to grow. Therefore GWE Business West will continue to make the case on behalf of business for the need for greater investment in this area in order that the private sector can do what the Chancellor says he aspires to – deliver prosperity for all.”

Download the full briefing document here.

New European Funding to support South West businesses

June 10, 2010 in Funding with Comments Off

The South West must focus on improving business competitiveness and employment throughout the region. In order to do this there needs to be a shift towards high-quality business generating high value added activity. But how do businesses achieve this? The new High Growth business support programmes will provide advice and support on how to start a high growth business, demonstrate ways of financing a business and how to acquire the skills to access external finance.

Over the last year GWE Business West has successfully secured several new South West business support contracts. And, working in partnership with a regional consortium of organisations has now secured European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) to deliver three new high growth business support and development programmes – Starting a High Growth Business, Coaching for High Growth and Understanding Finance for Business – through its Enterprise Services division.

Jo Greenwood, Director of Business Support for GWE Business West said, “GWE Business West has a successful track record of delivering business support throughout the South West. Our focus is to deliver high quality services to support business growth and ensure businesses have the right package of support as well as the skills they need to succeed.”

Each programme offers a comprehensive range of support delivered through a combination of workshops and coaching support sessions. The free workshops will provide a wealth of advice and information on a range of topics such as Intellectual Property (IP), high growth finance, routes to market, internationalisation and business planning. Businesses will also hear first hand from experts and existing high growth business owners about the pitfalls and successes of running a high growth business.

The free coaching sessions (one-to-one meetings, telephone and e-mail support from a business coach) is provided with all three programmes up to a period of 36 months (Starting a High Growth Business). This support will build the knowledge and skills of business entrepreneurs and will also enable the development of a higher proportion of high growth businesses for the region.

Jo Greenwood said, “Businesses today face challenges with raising finance, cash flow, and finding new routes to market. What is not always clear is how they can best tackle these issues. We are delighted to be delivering practical business support, without which there is a risk that some businesses with the potential to bring significant economic benefits to the region will not materialise.”

These business support programmes will be available from July 2010 and are subject to eligibility. For further information on how GWE Business West can help your business visit www.gwebusinesswest.co.uk or join us at www.gwebwlinkedin.co.uk

Bristol Evening Post Challenge – create 100 Apprenticeships in 100 days!

June 9, 2010 in Bristol, Employment with 1 Comment

The Evening Post’s 100 in 100 Apprenticeship Challenge is designed to bring groups “employer and employee“ together.The campaign will help people like 20-year-old Julian Grant, a volunteer at the Malcolm X community centre in St Pauls, whose life was turned around when he became an apprentice steward at the Colston Hall.

But it will also invigorate our region’s businesses by bringing the vitality, drive and willingness to learn of our young people to their shop floors, offices and warehouses.

Apprenticeships give companies the chance to invest in their own futures, as well as those of their young employees, and are a vital catalyst in the recovery of our fragile economy.

Two weeks ago, the new government underlined its commitment to get young people into work by announcing a further £150 million for its apprenticeships programme.

Today, we make a plea to our local businesses to match that pledge and help the Evening Post reach their apprenticeships goal.

Over the coming months, the Evening Post will feature young people who want to become apprentices, those already benefiting from the schemes, the companies that employ them and the organisations that train them.

And they will show that by giving young people a chance to make their futures brighter, our businesses can reap the rewards today.

Find out how you can get involved today by visiting: www.apprenticeships.org.uk or you can call 08000 150 600.

Business Engagement with MPs

June 9, 2010 in Policy & Legislation with Comments Off

On Friday 4th June, GWE Business West organised the first of a series of meetings between businesses and local MPs in Gloucestershire, West of England and Swindon. The main purpose of these meetings was to bring business members and MPs together as part of an ongoing dialogue, to discuss issues of importance to business and to debate the value of the British Chambers of Commerce “Business Recovery Test”, as well as to hear from our local MPs about issues of interest/concern to them.

Cheltenham meeting – MPs present were Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) and Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold).

Swindon Meeting – both Swindon MPs were present – Robert Buckland (Swindon South) and Justin Tomlinson (Swindon North).

Bristol Meeting – Dawn Primarolo (Bristol South) was present.

Click here to view full report

The discussion  highlights the areas of common agreement and discussion, as well as some of the more area specific issues raised.

Gloucestershire businesses voices concerns to county MPs

June 8, 2010 in Gloucestershire, Policy & Legislation with Comments Off

Two Gloucestershire MPs heard from some of the county’s most influential business leaders last week at a meeting arranged by Gloucestershire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, part of a nationwide series of Chamber events held last week with MPS to highlight the huge issues business faces in the current economy.

With a budget later this month and a comprehensive spending review promised for the Autumn business people around the table told Geoffrey Clifton Brown and Lawrence Robertson that many companies are adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach on capital investment until after the Government makes its announcements later this year. This, they said, would have an impact on growth and development. The MPs agreed that confidence was critical not only for the local business community but also on how UK business is viewed from abroad.

Despite the traditional high street banks saying they are lending again, according to businesses around the table, in reality they are clawing much more back from their customers to shore up depleted bank reserves. As a result investment is much harder to find and companies are having to look further afield. There was a widespread feeling at the meeting that insolvencies are likely to rise sharply this year as companies struggle to find support for working capital.

However, there was better news for employment in Gloucestershire with a number of companies saying that they are now recruiting again and generally confidence round the table was higher than in previous months, although a possible increase in National Insurance Contribution could potentially be a disincentive to recruitment.

Gloucestershire continues to be recognised as a one of the best places in the UK to live, work and carry on in business, but both MPs recognise that without a stable UK economy, all counties will suffer.

Lawrence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, said: “Gloucestershire has good road links, but its competitive edge will be boosted if our rail links are improved – particularly to London. Gloucestershire is still attracting high profile employers, including Horizon Nuclear Power, which opened its headquarters at Gloucester Business Park, Gloucester last year.”

Nigel Hutchings, Director, Chambers of Commerce, GWE Business West moderated the Gloucestershire event, held at Chargrove House in Shurdington near Cheltenham. He said: “Without business there is no taxation, no employment, nothing. We must create an environment for businesses to flourish and grow and it’s essential that the Government understands that. We plan to hold regular briefing events with our local MPS so they understand the real issues their constituents are facing.”

Geoffrey Clifton Brown added: “These meeting are invaluable to us as we can then truly represent the views of the business community within our constituencies. I am looking forward to the next meeting.”