Business leaders hear more help needed post Brexit

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North East business leaders heard two international trade policy speakers set out the challenges for companies as part of a week-long series of North East England Chamber of Commerce webinars on Brexit.

Anand Menon, director of UK in a Changing Europe and Dr Anna Jerzewska, director, Trade and Borders, were clear about the difficulties leaving the EU has created, in particular for SMEs, who may have never had to deal with customs declarations in the past.

Business uncertainty was often quoted as being so damaging before Brexit and Anand Menon said this has not disappeared but is merely now more limited. His view is that instability is baked into the UK’s relationship with the EU.

He explained the UK still has to implement what it has agreed with the EU, for example, in Northern Ireland, so it is still not clear how the deal will work in practice. The lack of clarity is potentially dangerous.

Dr Anna Jerzewska stressed there were a number of rules and regulations that were still not clear to businesses such as the rules of origin.

She said: “It’s important to remember that the border isn’t symmetrical and while the EU has implemented all checks and controls from day 1 the UK has not. There are also some additional easements for Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS)controls in Northern Ireland.”

In her speech she outlined how hard it was for smaller businesses to navigate the EU trading framework as it really required detailed knowledge and know-how, not helped by the national shortage of customs brokers.

The Chamber members also heard many businesses were being resilient and trying to adjust their supply chains to cope with changes to try and avoid delays and costs at the EU border.

She said in her view the first two months of the year were taken up with the new regulations and now there are cash flow challenges due to the costs of support to continue EU trading.

James Ramsbotham, chief executive, North East England Chamber of Commerce said: “We were delighted to hear two of the leading thinkers in our country, on leaving the EU. Their insights were extremely beneficial to our members who are really at the sharp end of the huge changes to their business operations. What was crystal clear in both Anand and Anna’s speeches was the urgent need for Government to stop being in denial about the difficulties and support companies to trade with Europe.”

The Chamber has a customs declaration and international trade team to help companies with documentation to trade with Europe for imports and exports, as well as growing worldwide.

Chamber launches campaign to build stronger North East

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North East England Chamber of Commerce, the region’s largest business organisation, has launched its latest Stronger North East campaign, an ambitious set of proposals to help create dynamic places, attract investment and create jobs, today (Monday 14 September 2020).

This launch also kickstarts a two-week programme of debates and events on the future of the North East economy.

Lesley Moody, Chamber President, (AES Digital) said: “Any recovery in our region must be built on four principles. We must leverage the renewed sense of community that we have seen during this crisis and never lose sight of the importance of fairness, both between and within regions. Our recovery must address long term goals such as sustainability and ensure that businesses are able to make the most of every opportunity available to them.

“These principles will underpin every Chamber campaign and will be the measures by which we judge the Government’s response. We cannot rely solely on others to build this recovery for us, we must do what we can for ourselves.

“If ‘levelling up’ regions such as ours was a priority before the pandemic, then its importance has increased tenfold now. The time has come for a serious national plan to close the economic gaps between regions.

“This means fundamental changes to both national policies and funding allocations across the board to meet the specific objective of reducing regional inequality. Alongside this, further devolution of decision making is essential to give greater local control over how that money is spent.

”The pandemic has generated intense debate on town centres and their future. Stronger North East’s recommendations on this issue include sustainable support for independent start-ups in town centres and repurposing key spaces in them to ensure they are effectively used to stimulate economic growth. It also stresses the importance of Government and businesses working together closely to overcome current economic challenges.

Support for the culture, arts and hospitality sectors is also key and Government needs to recognise their important role in regeneration and improving the quality of life in the region.

To encourage debate the Chamber ‘fringe’ panel events will include Stronger North East’s themes of influence, connectivity, competitiveness, global trade, employment and skills. Speakers include regional MPs, council leaders, Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne, Chris Smith, Thirteen Group, Robert Thorburn, Openreach and Andrew Haigh, Newcastle Building Society.