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Introduction . Speaking for Business |
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North Staffs economy out of recession.
NSCCI's Quarterly Economic Survey for the period ending 31 March 2010, indicates that the upturn in North Staffordshire is still on course and the economy has not slipped back into recession. However, the recovery is weak and serious risks of a setback remain. View the results.
Businesses are showing resilience despite difficult and uncertain trading conditions. Confidence is building, but the new government needs to nurture this with well-thought out policies that support business growth and job creation. Special attention must be paid to bolstering our exports in goods and services, which will help rebalance the economy away from an over-reliance on debt and the public sector.
Whatever the result of the General Election, a new Government must avoid additional business taxes that could stifle recovery. Within the first 90 days of a new administration, the 1% hike to employers' National Insurance Contributions, planned for 2011, should be scrapped.
What are the top ten worst regulations for your business?
Our Business Manifesto highlights that the regulatory burden is one of the biggest concerns of Chamber members. We have been lobbying all parties in the run-up to the General Election, and we will be calling upon the new government to reduce the burden. If you have any specific examples of bad or overly burdensome regulation, contact janegratton@nscci.co.uk
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Business Secretary Lord Mandelson with the NSCCI Manifesto
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Your chance to influence EU business policy
Would you like to learn more about how the EU works and who makes the policies that impact on your business? NSCCI is organising a visit to the European Parliament on 13 and 14 October.
Why Take Part?
- A great experience to sit in the European Parliament Hemicycle and influence EU policy and regulation.
- Build relationships with our regional MEPs, UK Government representatives in Brussels and other valuable EU contacts who may be able to assist your business in the future
- An opportunity to raise concerns with the relevant EU decision makers on employment regulation, environmental issues, or your own issues of concern.
- Make new business contacts from across the West Midlands and the wider UK Chamber network
More details on the itinerary and costs are available on request from janegratton@nscci.co.uk
Places are limited, so let us know urgently if you would like to attend.
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European Parliament votes on Late Payment Directive
The EU Internal Market Committee has voted to harmonise payment times for businesses across the EU, as well as sanctions for late payment. The Commission proposes a 30 day limit for payment by public authorities, as well as a variety of sanctions for late payment, including a 5% compensation lump sum. British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have supported the 30 day limit for public authorities, but are concerned by initial attempts to define contractual payment terms in business-to-business relations.
BCC has argued that businesses must continue to enjoy full flexibility when negotiating their contracts and should not be restricted by statutory maximum payment periods. Public authorities and private businesses are fundamentally different economic entities and should thus be treated differently. BCC will be lobbying with Eurochambres to ensure that relevant amendment is not adopted by the full Parliament later this month. For more information, please contact janegratton@nscci.co.uk
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Working Time Opt-Out under threat again
Does your business make use of the Working Time Opt-Out? Do you operate 'on-call' time?
The European Commission is planning a comprehensive review of the existing working time rules. The review will be shaped by a set of policy objectives, including protecting workers' health and safety, improving the balance between work and private life and giving businesses and workers flexibility without adding unnecessary administrative burdens for enterprises, especially SMEs.
The Chamber will be making representations in Brussels to retain the flexibility of the opt-out for member firms. If you can provide evidence of how and why the opt-out is used by your firm, please contact janegratton@nscci.co.uk
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Decisions on key infrastructure projects must be removed from politicians
62% of Chamber members in the UK believe that major planning decisions would be faster and more effective if taken out of the hands of national politicians.
The survey provides strong evidence of business support for the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), which has recently been established to make decisions on infrastructure schemes of national significance in order to streamline and shorten the planning process.
Chambers are now appealing to the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to drop their plans to abolish the Commission should they win the General Election, arguing that planning for the biggest vital infrastructure schemes should be subject to a stable, independent regime, rather than the whims of both local and national politicians.
The survey also revealed that poor transport, energy and digital communications infrastructure continues to hamper business growth. A lack of capacity is impacting on productivity, restricting the UK's economic potential at a time when it desperately needs business to be driving recovery. More information from janegratton@nscci.co.uk
New Planning Obligations
The Department for Communities and Local Government is consulting on new planning obligations. The consultation seeks views on the introduction of the new Community Infrastructure Levy, which will impose a mandatory charge for each new development. If your business will be affected by the new obligations, send your views/concerns to janegratton@nscci.co.uk by Wednesday 26 May 2010.
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