Sponsored by: Crisis Skylight


Midlands businesses are missing out on tax relief


Many businesses in the region are unaware that their routine operations could be eligible for tax relief, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) has revealed. The GBCC has launched a briefing


paper involving two of our patron universities to tell businesses how they can benefit by up to 33.35 per cent by claiming for tax relief through grants and tax breaks. Any existing or new product or service which is subject to innovation, design, commercialisation, management and improvement can qualify. Many organisations are undertaking activities which qualify for these reliefs without necessarily realising, says the GBCC. Among the grants on offer are


Innovation vouchers for SMEs, being delivered by Chamber Patrons Aston University and Birmingham City University, in consortium with the University of Wolverhampton. Around 190 £2,500 vouchers are to be issued by 2019. Birmingham City University are


MAC hears post- Brexit views


Businesses in Greater Birmingham gave their views on post-Brexit migration during a visit from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC). The MAC is an independent


public body that advises the government on migration issues. Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) members had their views heard at a roundtable hosted by Chamber patron Squire Patton Boggs. The committee wanted to


hear evidence about the role EEA workers play in their business. Paul Faulkner, chief


executive of GBCC, said: “It is encouraging to see our members actively engaged in national policy issues.” If you want to make a


submission to the MAC, but are concerned about revealing confidential information, speak to Emily Stubbs, policy and patron advisor at the GBCC. She can be contacted on e.stubbs@birmingham- chamber.com and 0121 607 1783.


also soon to launch their STEAMhouse project, which aims to drive innovation through collaboration between STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects and the arts. It will provide free facilities in addition to grants to SMEs. Chris Knott (pictured),


Partner, Head of R&D Incentives at PKF Cooper Parry, said: “There are still too many companies who either don’t think they qualify, or are making claims for only a proportion of what they could do. “At up to 33.35 per cent benefit,


unless you’re a wholesaler or pure service industry based, every company/sector should be exploring (or re-exploring) these possibilities.” Emily Stubbs, Policy and Patron


Advisor at the GBCC, said: ‘The Chamber was pleased to see the inclusion of innovation aims in the Queen’s Speech and Chancellor Phillip Hammond’s commitment to


honour European grants for projects that continue beyond the UK leaving the EU. “We hope that our members and the wider business community in Greater Birmingham make the most of these opportunities to fuel innovation in the


region.” Tax reliefs are available


in the form of R&D tax credits, R&D allowances and


the Patent Box. R&D tax credits can amount to an allowable tax relief of 230 per cent for qualifying SMEs, and R&D allowances are a 100 per cent capital allowance for capital expenditure on R&D.


So that we can continue to accurately represent our members’ views and address their concerns going forward, we would encourage businesses to complete our latest Quarterly Business Report Survey by going to www.greaterbirminghamchamber.com


Bidders win and bear it


Thanks to your support, Crisis continues to campaign for change and provides life-changing year-round services to help people escape homelessness for good.


Highlights from the year in the West Midlands


• Across the West Midlands we have worked with 2,334 homeless people & delivered 40 different subjects.


• Our members have obtained 966 qualifications; 38% of these were obtained in the Basic Skills courses where we deliver Maths, English, ESOL and IT.


This year in the West Midlands:


143 people found a job


121 people improved their mental health & wellbeing


110 people found a home


Under the hammer: Spock (right), the Chamber’s bear, which made £2,400 at the auction


Birmingham was roaring with excitement as 91 bear sculptures raised £257,300 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity at The Big Sleuth Auction. The Big Sleuth, presented by Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and creative producers Wild in Art, has won the hearts and minds of Birmingham and beyond this summer. With more than 200 people in


the auction room at the ThinkTank, Birmingham Science Museum, and more than 7,000 watching live online, bear enthusiasts and art collectors bid on their favourite bears from the trail. Among them was an anonymous


bidder who placed the highest bid of the night, winning Buzz, by artist Julia Allum and sponsored by


University of Birmingham for £9,000. Fans of The Big Sleuth also


enjoyed some special surprise guest appearances, including the Peaky Blinders and characters from Cadbury World, who distributed chocolates around the room. Funds raised from the sale of the


bears at auction will go towards Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity who fund life-changing initiatives to make a child’s stay in hospital that bit more bear-able. Louise McCathie, director of


fundraising at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are absolutely overwhelmed with the response to The Big Sleuth Auction. The money raised will make a huge difference to the 90,000 sick kids our hospital cares for each year.”


216 people were given a warm welcome at Christmas


1014 people took part in a learning activity


433 people gained a qualification


Uzma Shaheen Regional Fundraising Manager – West Midlands uzma.shaheen@crisis.org.uk


November 2017 CHAMBERLINK 19


Business News


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