New Chamber document sets out business 'Plan B ' support needs

A host of tailored support measures required by businesses in light of the Government 's Plan B measures have been set out in a new document released by Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce today.

Ahead of today 's parliamentary vote on the new measures, the GBCC has released 'Plan B: A Blueprint for Business Support '.

It is based on feedback from businesses across a range of sectors. Some of the feedback stemmed from a virtual roundtable the Chamber hosted with local firms and key stakeholders such as Birmingham Selly Oak MP, Steve McCabe.

The Chamber is calling on Government to:

• Consistently review the need for additional financial support for businesses that are likely to suffer a drop in demand as a result of the latest measures
• Offer clear and practical advice for businesses that are expected to implement NHS Covid Pass entry into indoor and outdoor gatherings in less than a week
• Roll out the Business Rates Relief Fund before Christmas so local authorities can help impacted businesses as soon as possible
• Maintain a longer-term reduction of VAT in place beyond March to help those hospitality and non-essential retailers likely to suffer due to lower footfall in city centres
• Reduce the cost of PCR testing for international travellers in a bid to maintain demand in the aviation and travel industry
• Reintroduce free testing kits for businesses as more individuals are expected to take daily tests
• Explore options for utilising existing resources for supporting the most impacted businesses in the short-term
• Provide flexibility of the repayment of CBILs to those businesses suffering significant financial hardship but not classed as in distress

Raj Kandola (pictured), head of policy at the GBCC, said: “Despite recent assurances to the contrary, the Prime Minister moved quickly last week to roll out new national restrictions in a bid to curb the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

“As our latest report shows, the mixed messaging and uncertainty generated by these announcements has already started to directly impact the bottom line of many businesses.

“A number of local firms have reported a spate of cancelled bookings which is having a knock-on impact on demand levels in the run up to what is usually the busiest time of the year.

“That 's why we 're calling on politicians across the board to take note of the recommendations we 've listed throughout the report and recognise the tailored support that businesses up and down the country will need in order to get through the next few months.

“As the data from our latest Quarterly Business Report reveals, local economic activity has markedly picked up over the last six months as national restrictions were eased and that 's why it 's so important the Government does everything it can to keep business moving during this uncertain period. ”

Among the firms to contribute feedback were Solutions2, who work in the exhibitions sector.

Director and co-founder Marija Erzen said: “Public confidence has been damaged by these latest announcements, with customers already cancelling their bookings due to the uncertainty and mixed messaging.

“We are incredibly worried by this and the resulting lost revenue, and are not sure how we will survive if this continues to happen into next year.

“Without a doubt, we need Government to introduce financial support and the furlough scheme if things return to how they previously were. ”

Read 'Plan B: A Blueprint for Business Support ' now.

The GBCC Q1 Quarterly Business Report launch event is taking place on 19 January at Birmingham City University and will focus on what the latest measures mean for local businesses.