Untitled

Business Manifesto APRIL 2015

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Foreword

In the run up to the general election, the Bedfordshire

Chamber of Commerce has been engaging with partners,

politicians and influencers to ensure Bedfordshire’s

business voice is heard on a number of key issues.

The Chamber asked its local business leaders their

opinions on what the priorities were for their business post-

election. The results allowed us to focus on the three main

priorities facing business and discuss the issues at hand.

The three priorities were:

Priority 1: Skills

Priority 2: Transport & Infrastructure

Priority 3: Stable Government

The outcome of these discussions were captured and are

presented in the following paper.

Priority 1: Skills

Priority 1: Skills Businesses can only perform as well as the people that start, run and work in them. To thrive,

they need access to the right skills, in the right place at the right time. A quality ‘pipeline’ of

young people entering the labour market for the first time is essential, as are the tools to

improve the skills of existing employees.

Businesses often report that young people are inadequately equipped with the soft skills and

knowledge needed to make a smooth transition from education to the workplace. We’ve seen

and heard that local businesses are often hampered by mismatches between the skills they

need and those available in the local area.

You have told us that your business needs schools and colleges to prepare young people for

employment; that work with employers to address the skills shortages and equip the next

generation with the skills needed to support your business.

The Tabled Issues:

• A greater emphasis on vocational skills is needed and to ensure that sector specific skills are not lost.

• Schools should not just be focusing on ‘teaching to test’, but also developing the employability and life skills needed to get into and get on in the workplace.

• Employers want more influence over the funding of skills and simplified routes to funding. The need to align funding streams to match continuous learning and development at all ages.

• Employers want to improve the perception of apprenticeships and influence the curriculum to meet the needs of local business. A genuine equality of esteem must be placed on vocational education and not seen solely as an option for those deemed to be less academic.

• More focus is required on STEM subjects in primary schools to ensure the local skills gap is narrowed.

• Local career opportunities need to be introduced earlier in schooling and clearer pathways communicated on what is required to achieve aspirations.

Priority 1: Skills

What’s currently happening nationally?

• The British Chambers of Commerce are lobbying government to guarantee universal ‘experience of work’ in all schools UK-wide to improve employment prospects.

• Chambers of Commerce are seeking a business governor in every school to increase business engagement in education.

• The British Chambers of Commerce are proposing to government that secondary schools are assessed on employment outcomes to better prepare young people for work.

What’s currently happening locally?

• Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is making sure schools are more aware of local business needs and supporting schools to develop healthy relationships with their local business community. We currently work with 15 schools and colleges to help them engage with local businesses but our challenge is to increase this engagement throughout Bedfordshire.

• We have held a number of business events in conjunction with a local college to bring employers from various sectors in to inspire students with the opportunities that exist locally.

• A Chamber member has provided an annual bursary of £15,000 since 2010 to assist a student from Luton to attend University studying Engineering. We are currently judging entries for the 5th award.

• Attendance at local schools’ career events and providing support for their students with interview skills.

What next?

As a result of the survey Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce will intensify their focus on:

• Becoming champions for vocational options in education. Bridging the gap between education and business to ensure there is a clear link between the curriculum and the current and future demands of the labour market.

• Educating & inspiring young people to consider apprenticeships as a powerful route to employment.

• Increasing the number of schools and colleges we work with and becoming a catalyst for education and business to work together.

• Improving the perception of Apprenticeships in the SME business community and helping them to invest in apprenticeships and workplace training.


Priority 2: Transport & Infrastructure A world class economy needs world class infrastructure. Businesses rely on transport

networks to move goods and people and failure to invest in capacity and maintenance is

hampering business growth and costing jobs.

Without significant efforts from government to accelerate the pace of infrastructure delivery,

the UK’s ability to compete internationally will be undermined.

You have told us that for Bedfordshire to remain competitive we must not aim just to “make do”

but to always focus on the long term growth of the county.

The Tabled Issues:

• To ensure emphasis is always on delivering long term growth for Bedfordshire and that infrastructure requirements remain at the forefront of policy when considering the future needs of the county.

• Improvements in the quality of local roads must be addressed.

• Town Centre congestion

• Planning policy has to be reformed.

• Infrastructure projects suffer from delays in decision-making, planning and delivery resulting in increased costs and the holding back of economic growth.


• The British Chambers of Commerce are pushing the government to deliver on promised investments in road and rail schemes of national importance.

• The Chamber network is petitioning at Westminster to create a new independent body to set the UK’s infrastructure requirements - so that decisions on infrastructure are based on expert analysis and the long term strategic interests of the UK, rather than short term politics.

• The British Chambers of Commerce are promoting nationally the need to reform the planning system to free up more land for much needed new homes.



• Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce will continue to be an active stakeholder in the East –West rail link and represent Bedfordshire businesses in lobbying for the completion of the central section of the line.

• The Chamber has been active in the support for the Oxford-Cambridge dual carriageway links and is nearing completion with the Caxton Gibbet section soon to be undertaken.

• Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce has been long supporting the additional river crossing for the Batt’s Ford Bridge in Bedford.

What next?

As a result of the survey Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce will focus on:

• To continue to lobby for all significant developments to have the right infrastructure in place before any housing, retail or industrial commitments are made.

• To locally influence a long term strategy that encourages business growth supported by effective infrastructure and a skilled workforce.


Priority 3: Stable Government Business is the lifeblood of the economy, creating wealth, employment and opportunities.

That’s why it is vital that we create the right environment for small, medium and large sized

firms to invest, grow and create new jobs.

Businesses need predictable, reliable and stable policy to generate confidence in the market

place and one that creates an environment that supports business to plan and invest in the

long term.

You have told us that placing business at the heart of policy and creating a stable government

with a long term vision rather short term politics is essential to the growth of your business.

There was also a clear view that the government must drive down business taxes, especially

those that stifle investment and business rates that are the highest in Europe.

The Tabled Issues:

• Ministers concentrate on short term politics rather than long term UK strategies when considering policy. A cross party/expert body focused on business growth and infrastructure in the UK is essential for future prosperity.

• There is a concern that a lack of progress is often made due to the shuffling of ministers in government.

• A stable tax regime needs to be established to encourage long term planning and capital investment.

• We would like to see faster, more decisive government decision making.

• There is a need to generate confidence in business rather than generating the fear of uncertainty.

• That the decision regarding the EU position needs to be clarified.

• A review of the business rate system must be used to implement a clearer and fairer system.



• The British Chambers of Commerce are representing business to call for a business property tax system that is fair to all firms and no longer a drag on investment and growth. Calling for a freeze on business rates for all companies until 2017 and delivering a full revaluation of premises.

• The Chamber network is lobbying central government to establish a tax system that is transparent, supports business growth and allows business to invest and create jobs.

• The Chamber network is petitioning at Westminster to create a new independent body to set the UK’s infrastructure requirements - so that decisions on infrastructure are based on expert analysis and the long term strategic interests of the UK, rather than short term politics.


• Although these areas of concern are seen as national issues the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce will continue to represent business in Bedfordshire through the British Chambers of Commerce to ensure your voice is heard.

What next?

As a result of the survey Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce will continue to look to:

• Capturing your business concerns and better understand your barriers to growth so we can feed your views to local and central government.

The Other Issues

The Other Issues: Although there were clear winners on the three main priorities facing your business post-

election additionally there were the following local themes that came from the survey.

• Raising the visibility of Bedfordshire and making it a destination rather than a drive through county.

• Simplifying and co-ordinating of grant availability and business support. • The three local authorities need to speak with a united voice and have a combined

vision. • There is a need to reduce red tape and make planning easier with ready access to the

right people to make a difference. • UK Visa and immigration regulations are handicapping international student

recruitment. • Lack of co-ordinated and readily available support on exporting to new markets.


• The Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is working with a number of stakeholders to ensure that the county and what it can offer is recognised on a national and international platform.

• Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is a key delivery partner for SEMLEP and is helping to provide business support in Bedfordshire. Through the Velocity Business Support programme SME’s can call on one-to-one support with a Growth Adviser and access grants that assist their business growth aspirations. To date Velocity has engaged with over 300 businesses locally and Advisers have helped them to access grants/funding of over £400k with the project helping to create or safeguard 163 jobs.

• The Chamber is working with the three local authorities and SEMLEP across a number of themes to establish a long term vision for the county.

• As a Chamber we have assisted a number of businesses with planning issues and will continue to be the strong voice of support where economic benefits and business need are at the heart of the debate.

• The export team at Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce has helped businesses export over £130 million worth of goods outside of the EU in the last 12 months and has a strong relationship with UKTI so exporters can access the right information, at the right time to make your business truly global.

The Other Issues

What next?

• Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is looking to strengthen its business support service and build on the early successes of the Velocity Business Support programme.

• We are looking to create the right platform and channels to ensure your business is receiving up-to-date market and commercial information that is relevant to you.

• The Chamber wants to strengthen its network and increase our voice so that businesses in Bedfordshire are at the heart of all local and central government decision making.

• We want to further our first stop offering for your business to access the right support at the right time and help your business to build relationships, stay connected, go global and ensure your message is heard.

The Question of the European Union

Businesses are pragmatic about Britain’s future place in the EU. They are keen to take advantage of the opportunities, but are also vocal about the costs and burdens created by policies that hamper their competitiveness and that of the UK as a whole. Expectations from businesses are that the government must ensure that in the long term the UK is not disadvantaged by the ever evolving Eurozone.

We posed the question?

With the possibility of an in/out referendum on the EU post-election what would you like to see happen? Overwhelming, 85% of respondents, wanted to remain in the EU, but with specific powers transferred back from Brussels to Westminster.

It’s clear from the survey that businesses see the EU as an opportunity to grow their

business but not at any cost. There was a strong message that we must remain in the

EU but on renegotiated terms.


• The British Chamber of Commerce is petitioning for the government to deliver a new

settlement in Europe. We want to see secure and binding safeguards in place for the UK in future EU decision making so we can retain a key role in the Single Market.

• Focusing the EU on securing global free trade for it members. Reducing barriers to trade and investment for UK businesses around the world, by focusing resources on trade liberalisation rather than burdensome internal regulation.

Delivering the Manifesto

Delivering the Manifesto

Growth will be driven by business, with policy the enabler. The business community

stands ready to partner with local and central government in these areas and is

committed to ensuring that business remains at the forefront of governments plans in

preparing for the long term.

This manifesto is not a standalone document but will be part of Bedfordshire Chamber

of Commerce’s ongoing dialogue with politicians and decision makers and used to

place your business priorities at the heart of everything we do.

Documents

Untitled