Anne Newton CEO Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Deputy Chair LLC, “Happy Christmas to you all and we hope a healthier more prosperous 2021! Well sadly there is little festive cheer around this season with many businesses under increasing stress with a combination of Brexit uncertainty and lockdown due to the more infectious Covid strain. Of course, we continue to press for more support for businesses under enormous strain and for those businesses or self-employed who have been excluded thus far. We encourage all directors to check the pandemic grants available here and email us if you have any questions at email@richmondchamberofcommerce.co.uk”
Anne continues, “Our young too deserve our help and the Kickstart Scheme offers just that and so we invite Richmond Borough employers to claim the Government assistance for new placements here. This scheme is a £2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of high quality 6-month work placements for young people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and Richmond Chamber of Commerce RCC is coordinating Richmond Borough employers to deliver this important programme with Richmond upon Thames College RUTC. Businesses of all sizes looking to create quality jobs for young people can apply to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment.
"The job placements should support the participants to develop the skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme. The Government will fund 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. In addition, businesses taking on a Kickstart candidate can opt to take the £1,500 wraparound training provided by RCC and RUTC, so that each young person receives comprehensive professional training provided by reputable UK bodies.”
Anne on Chamber of Commerce lobbying, “Brexit uncertainty is hindering many businesses too this Christmas tide and we are pressing Government to give businesses a chance to function with more clarity, certainty and advance warning on broad but essential business matters such as finance, tax, export documentation, legal ramifications, GDPR, settlement status issues, so that they can plan, budget and drive forward into European area and overseas too. LCCI recommends business prepares for WTO rules so that whatever happens trading can continue. Directors are scenario planning for various outcomes and this all this costs money and time and of course the day job is still there. Not easy times!”
Anne, “Equally let us not forget those successful innovative businesses from a variety of sectors and those classically in the right place at the right time and trading exceptionally well. UK PLC needs these businesses to continue forging ahead into new export markets and leveraging cutting edge technology and of course digital services to best effect. Also, it is good news that we have various vaccines on their way and the Prime Minister confirmed this week that more than half a million people already have had their vaccination jabs. There are some signs too according to some reports that the Brexit negotiations are making progress and so business continues to wait for a deal with our EU partners so that commerce can continue smoothly into 2021.”
Anne, “UK Public sector net borrowing was estimated at more than £31.6bn in November - the third highest for any month since 1993 due to pandemic support schemes and falling tax receipts. GDP, however, increased by a record 16% between July and September 2020 indicating good economic recovery during this period. Sadly though, this does not cover the 2nd quarter 18.8% fall during the first lockdown. Public sector net debt (excluding public sector banks) at the end of November 2020 was almost £2.1trn, equivalent to 99.5% of GDP.” Chancellor Rishi Sunak , "As part of our Plan for Jobs we've invested £280bn to protect millions of jobs and businesses across the UK. This is the right thing to do to protect lives and livelihoods during this acute phase of the crisis. When our economy recovers, it's right that we take the necessary steps to put the public finances on a more sustainable footing, so we are able to respond to future crises in the way we have done this year."
Anne, “Let’s celebrate all those fantastic 2020 achievements of businesses and charities trading in the Richmond Borough by entering up to 14 Awards, as well as booking The Richmond Summer Ball at The Twickenham Stadium Friday, 18th June 2021
"A reminder too of the valued mentoring, training, lobbying to UK Government, promotions to millions of readers across London, 2020 Awards, online events and the Borough’s independent trusted business network, join here.
"Happy Christmas and New Year to you all from the business community!”
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