Business News


Sheetal Sanghvi: Healthy increase


Businesses take advantage of R&D windfall


West Midlands businesses claimed around £145m in research and development (R&D) tax relief during 2016- 17, according to new figures. Data from HMRC reveals the


West Midlands Combined Authority is a hotspot for R&D tax credits, with 1,355 claims. In total, businesses across


the wider West Midlands region submitted 3,340 R&D claims in 2016-17, claiming some £145m in tax relief. Compared to the data


reported for the previous year published in February 2018, this represents a 54 per cent rise in the number of claims and a 28 per cent rise in the amounts claimed in R&D tax credits.


‘The latest figures show a healthy rise in the numbers of applications for R&D tax credits’


R&D tax credits are a tax


relief designed to encourage greater spending in research and development, leading in turn to greater investment in innovation. Sheetal Sanghvi, central


region head for R&D tax credits at Chamber patron RSM, said: “The latest figures show a healthy rise in the numbers of applications for R&D tax credits, and higher payouts for West Midlands businesses involved in R&D activity. “While this is encouraging,


there are some sectors – construction in particular – where the numbers of claims are negligible, despite the likelihood that many are involved in R&D activity. There could be many more businesses across the West Midlands that are missing out on the R&D tax credit payments to which they are entitled.”


6 CHAMBERLINK June 2019 Cleaner air: Peter Edwards at last year’s Clean Air Day – this year’s event is on 20 June


Birmingham breathes life into Clean Air Day


Businesses and other organisations in Birmingham are backing an initiative aimed at highlighting the issue of deadly air pollution in the city this month. Among those backing Clean Air


Day on 20 June is the University of Birmingham and National Express, the city’s main bus operator. Clean Air Day, which is a national


initiative, is being held just six months before the introduction of the proposed Birmingham Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which will see charges imposed on any vehicles deemed to be the most polluting when they enter roads within the city’s Middleway. If they do, the polluters will be


charged £8 per day for cars, and £50 per day for lorries, coaches and buses. It is hoped this initiative will reduce toxic nitrogen dioxide pollution, which has been linked to respiratory problems. Clean Air Day on 20 June is


organised by the Global Action Plan charity, and is aimed at raising awareness about air pollution and what can be done about it. As part of the day, commuters


are being urged to leave their cars at home and use other forms of transport. On the day, the University of Birmingham will be undertaking a series of awareness events, including a canal litter pick, cycling rides to the Edgbaston campus,


‘By promoting car sharing, walking, public transport and removing barriers to staff, we are lessening the impact of carbon and congestion’


and an anti-idling campaign among its own fleet drivers. The latter is an extension of an ongoing campaign by the university to persuade its drivers to turn off their engines when stationary. This initiative is being driven by the university’s sustainable travel co-ordinator Peter Edwards, who is also organising the response to Clean Air Day. Mr Edwards said that in his three


years in the job, the university had made big strides in sustainable travel, by encouraging staff, students and visitors to get out of their cars. He said: “By promoting car sharing, walking, public transport and removing barriers to staff, we are lessening the impact of carbon and congestion. “We have 8,000 staff, and our


recent travel survey found that 10 per cent now cycle to the university. We have 100 vehicles in our own fleet, of which 40 per cent are electric, which we believe is sector leading.” The Chamber is also backing


Clean Air Day and senior policy advisor Raj Kandola said: “Clean Air Day is a precursor to what is going to be a very significant initiative.


“I would encourage all


businesses to participate.” The Chamber has also carried


out extensive research into the CAZ, which has included a major consultation exercise with Chamber members. On the back of that, the Chamber lobbied the Government with a view to supporting those businesses who will be affected by the CAZ charges. Together with other lobbying


efforts, this resulted in the government agreeing a £38m ‘mitigation fund’, to help those affected. Some of this money will go to local hauliers, taxi drivers and coach operators to help them upgrade vehicles. National Express is also backing


Clean Air Day. In the West Midlands, the company has invested in 49 hybrid vehicles to cut emissions and boost mileage per gallon. Nick Vane, commercial director,


National Express West Midlands, said: “National Express West Midlands will be ready to provide a fully compliant and enhanced bus service to our existing customers and - we hope - to attract new passengers when they realise that bus is the solution to pollution.”


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