Business News
New Chamber report reflects changing Covid-19 measures
The Chamber has responded to the Government’s rapidly-changing Covid-19 measures by issuing an updated version of a key report. The updated ‘Mind the Gap’ report urges ministers to manage a smooth
return to the workplace, through clear, concise and honest communication with employers. It also calls for additional support for small businesses facing significant costs to ensure they are ‘Covid-19 secure’.
‘The Government is still listening to feedback from the business community – in some areas at least’
‘Mind the Gap’ was first published last month, with detailed analysis of
the Government’s Covid-19 support measures, as well as highlighting existing gaps. A number of the Chamber’s initial demands have since been met, such as
an extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and additional support for small and micro businesses, but latest version of ‘Mind the Gap’ features a number of new requests. These include negotiating an extension to the Brexit transition period, implementing an ambitious programme to prevent lasting economic damage, providing clarity on the evolution of the ‘furlough’ scheme and continuing to ensure cash from the various schemes reach businesses and charities promptly. Chamber chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “As recent announcements
show, the Government is still listening to feedback from the business community – in some areas at least. “It is crucial that the Government recognise the gaps outlined in the
Keep it clean: Bouden staff deep cleaning the company’s vehicles
report, take steps to address them and implement key lessons learned from this unprecedented time as we look ahead to restart and recovery, while, crucially – keeping ‘R’ low. “There are still significant parts of the business community that have not
been able to access existing schemes. While we may be entering a new phase, this crisis is not over yet.”
• Business leaders have called on the Chancellor make the furlough scheme more flexible to better protect the livelihoods of workers across the region. A meeting of the West Midlands Covid-19 Economic Impact Group (EIG)
– of which the Chamber is a member - was told that take-up of the Government’s Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) had been strong in the West Midlands and had been successful in safeguarding jobs and heading off wide-scale redundancies. The scheme, which sees the Government pay 80 per cent of furloughed
workers’ wages up to £2,500 a month, is set to finish in its current form at the end of next month.
The views of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce members were put to local government minister Robert Jenrick and business secretary Alok Sharma as part of a discussion to plot the region’s recovery from Covid-19. Chief executive Paul Faulkner joined a group led by West Midlands
mayor Andy Street to discuss the severity of the crisis in the region and the steps required to recover.
£4bn industry has ‘ground to a halt’
Travel firm plots return
Coach firm Bouden Travel is putting in place new measures to keep passengers and staff as the country begins to get back to work. The Castle Vale coach firm is imposing a high number of safety
measures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks, and is also deep cleaning its vehicles. At the same time, the company has also been critical over the lack of
guidance from the Government, with regard to the measures transport firms need to adopt in order to deal with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Bouden director Adel Bouden said: “The lack of clarity offered by the
Government has left the country confused. The rather contradictory explanation of the phase two measures encouraged people to go back to work if they could, but also to avoid public transport, something that people rely on heavily within the region to commute. “Avoiding the use of public transport is only necessary if the operator is
not taking the appropriate steps to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. Although we cannot speak for other operators, we have come up with our own measures to ensure that when people travel with us, they can be confident that they are protected.” This includes the use of chemical fogging equipment, used to fumigate
vehicles on their arrival back to base. This is an antibacterial process and also kills all germs and viruses. Coach cleaners are provided with PPE which includes a full body suit,
gloves and masks to ensure that they do not breathe in any of the fog. The company has used the same process to deep clean its offices.
8 CHAMBERLINK June/July 2020
A Sutton Coldfield global mobility business says that the industry has been ‘forgotten’ during the Covid- 19 crisis – but will be crucial for the UK’s recovery. Global mobility director Shelley
Long, of Celsium, says that her industry is worth $4bn in the UK alone, but has ground to a halt because of the pandemic. Global mobility is the term used
for experts who help businesses relocate key employees to new countries. They are often described as an
‘invisible’ workforce, and one which oils the wheels of relocation all over the world. Ms Long said: “We are the silent
partner of HR directors and global mobility teams in corporate organisation who operate nationally and internationally. “We take care of everything, to
allow your employee to concentrate on working for you. Immigration, home finding, kids school places, wi-fi connections, utilities, car rentals, household good shipping, language training. “The news and social media
platforms have all talked about Virgin Atlantic, Thomas Cook and hotel groups including
Intercontinental as well as small local businesses – their trade has stopped, no more orders being taken, everything is postponed – there are no flights, hotels bookings or travel being booked. “However no one is talking about
my industry – global mobility. We are a silent industry, that has had no media coverage, no Government support. “The role that we play in supporting the economy to recover is invaluable – our role is critical. “Companies will need key
workers to fill positions, in key locations throughout the world, and only the strong and resilient of global mobility providers will remain to support the comeback kings: financial companies, engineering kingpins and automotive giants. “But what if we aren’t here when
things start moving again in the business world? Many relocation management companies are small businesses, set up in a specific country to support destination services. “We are the people who are
happy to sit in the background as a strategic partner, but please do not forget us.”
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