Business News
HR help for small businesses
A team of HR experts has compiled a free programme to help small businesses cope with any changes imposed through Brexit or the General Election. West Midlands-based The
People Skills project team is offering SMEs up to two days of free consultancy. The CIPD- backed team has already used their collective knowledge to help more than 400 businesses. Amanda Bellfield,
programme manager of the Midlands People Skills project, said: “As the UK moves through uncharted political terrain, change will inevitably impact on businesses of all sizes, especially SMEs. “Resizing the workforce,
dealing with immigration issues or working smarter to efficiently manage change, are all areas that would benefit from expert help. However, as a small business owner, professional support can feel like an expense that’s hard to justify but we can help for free. “To apply for support, the
process is simple. There is a short online survey to fill in. A consultant then spends face- to-face time to explore issues and opportunities in more depth. They then offer tailored advice that any business is under no obligation to follow.” Koolmill Systems Ltd are an
entrepreneurial business who were experiencing challenges, venturing for the first time into employing staff. Alec Anderson, of Koolmill,
said: “The consultant took time to understand our specific needs and her advice was personalised to our requirements. Employment law is complex, talking to someone who was able to provide professional guidance was the assurance we needed.” The free offer is available
until Spring 2020 and is funded by a Government research project. The initiative is run by the CIPD with support from the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.
To take up the offer, visit
peopleskillshub.cipd.co.uk/di agnostic, call Sabrina Belle (programme co-ordinator) on 07872 403 580 or mail
peopleskills@cipd.co.uk
Businesses ignored for too long, politicians warned
By John Lamb
The country needs future government leaders to build “real links” with their business communities after being ignored during Brexit uncertainty. The demand is part of a General
Election Manifesto launched by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC). Business Priorities: General
Election 2019 has been developed by the GBCC in consultation with the Chamber Council, the body elected from the membership to steer policy and campaigning activity. It also backs the British Chambers of Commerce national campaigns on Brexit, people development, infrastructure, international trade, business costs and investment. On a local level, priorities
include:
• Proactively championing the strategic importance of HS2 and the role it will play in building capacity on the road and rail network.
• Working with the business community to maximise the local economic benefits from HS2,
Birmingham City Council that all funds generated are reinvested in improving public transport.
• Promoting the case for and championing work aimed at protecting and revitalising local town centres and high streets.
• Supporting and enabling work to increase capacity and reliability of key infrastructure projects and services.
Paul Faulkner, chief executive of Paul Faulkner: Manifesto call
‘End Brexit uncertainty and reconnect with the business community’
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and other major investment projects.
• Campaigning for clarity on the Birmingham Clean Air Zone from the Government on how long the Euro 6 emission standards will be compliant with air quality legislation and ensuring with
the GBCC, said: “Our manifesto calls for interventions on a number of key areas for businesses. But most importantly, it urges our future leaders to end Brexit uncertainty and reconnect with the business community. “We hear from too many
businesses who feel their needs and those of the people they employ and communities that they sustain have been ignored during this unprecedented period. “Above all, we urge politicians of
all parties to build real links and relationships with your local business community both through the Chamber and the employers in your constituency. “This country cannot grow,
prosper or even simply sustain itself without businesses.”
Supporting the real Living Wage
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is among a number of businesses across the region to support the real Living Wage. The Living Wage Foundation announced that the new real Living Wage rate has increased to £9.30 per hour. The real Living Wage is the UK’s
only independently calculated wage rate based on what people need to live. The 2019 increases have been
largely driven by rises in private rental and childcare costs. The average annual pay boost
for a real Living Wage worker in the West Midlands is over £2,000. Around 21 per cent of jobs in the
region still pay below the real Living Wage. There are currently 219 West Midlands-based real Living Wage employers, including the Chamber and bus and coach operator National Express. The company is the largest real
Living Wage employer and to mark Living Wage Week, the firm
22 CHAMBERLINK December 2019/January 2020
launched tours of a National Express Living Wage bus. David Bradford, managing
director of National Express West Midlands, said: “We are proud to be the region’s largest private real Living Wage employer and we want to encourage other local employers to follow suit and help boost the city’s economy. “Over 600 National Express
employees have benefitted from our commitment to the real Living Wage
that meets the actual cost of living, not just the statutory minimum. “This uplift adds up to over
£2.3m which has gone back into employees’ pockets.” Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the
GBCC, said: “Paying the real Living Wage ties in with our Chamber values and demonstrates our commitment to motivating and retaining our excellent workforce, which represents over 3,000 businesses across Greater Birmingham.”
Wage boost: Eileen Whitmore cleaning the National Express Living Wage Bus
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