Business News Business News Latest news from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce


Pre-Budget lobbying pays off for the region


Greater Birmingham Chamber says pre-Budget lobbying by the local business community over issues such as devolution and business rates reform had paid off. Henrietta Brealey (pictured), director of


policy and strategic relationships at Greater Birmingham Chamber (GBCC), said: “The Chancellor’s announcement in the Budget confirming the second devolution deal for the West Midlands Combined Authority is an exciting opportunity and a reflection of West Midlands Mayor Andy Street’s lobbying of central Government.” She added that progress had


also been made in the area of business rates reform, including the introduction of three-yearly revaluations instead of five years, but more remained to be done. “Alongside the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) the GBCC has been vocal about the need for business rates reform,” she said.


Chancellor to focus on the basics - rates, roads, and ringtones - and will be pleased that they will see some action on all three fronts. “While more remains to be done to reduce the impact of business rates on investment and growth, the Chancellor’s decisions will lessen the impact of rate rises on hard-pressed firms in many parts of the country from next April. “Chambers campaigned hard


for a reduction in the relentless rises of this iniquitous tax, and will be pleased that the Chancellor has listened and


reduced the burden.” Other local businesses said the


Henrietta Brealey: Chamber lobbying of the Chancellor has paid off


Budget should be regarded as a ‘steady as she goes’ approach. Rupert Hutton, associate


‘We are pleased that some of our asks have been heard and acted on by the Chancellor’


“We are pleased that some of our asks have


been heard and acted on by the Chancellor, particularly regarding the annual uprating and frequency of revaluations, but there is still more to do. Too many businesses are still being hit by this old fashioned tax and facing bureaucratic, costly processes when they challenge inaccurate bills.” BCC director general Dr Adam Marshall said: “Chamber business communities wanted the


partner for EY in the Midlands, said: “In a budget where we anticipated a ‘steady as she goes’ approach, there are a number of announcements that will be positive for business and people in the Midlands.


“The Chancellor continues to wrangle with


very low unemployment rates and the (not unconnected) low productivity rates – a particular challenge we have in the Midlands. “Further investment to help boost productivity


is welcome – but all businesses also have the challenge of embracing the technological revolution in a way that drives productivity and exploring how existing staff can be reskilled and redeployed effectively.”


Fair pay (from left): Cllr Majid Mahmood (Cabinet member for Commercialism, Commission and Contract Management at Birmingham City Council), Martha Crawford (senior project manager, Living Wage Foundation) and Paul Faulkner


Chamber’s accreditation for real living wage


Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) has been accredited as a Living Wage employer by the living wage Foundation. Everyone working at the Chamber, regardless


of whether they are direct employees or third- party contracted staff, will receive the new hourly wage of £8.75. They are significantly higher than the


statutory minimum for over 25s of £7.50 per hour introduced in April 2017. The real living wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually and is calculated according to the real costs of living. Gemma Fiddler, GBCC’s head of HR, said: “We


have been a real living wage employer for some time but formal accreditation acknowledges the value we place on our employees. It also extends our commitment to ensuring our third party contract staff receive a fair rate of pay for a fair days work.” GBCC chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “The


accreditation ties in with our values and responsibilities as a Chamber and recognises our commitment to helping the organisation thrive by improving motivation, retaining and attracting a quality workforce.”


December 2017/January 2018 CHAMBERLINK5


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