I have provided an update to members on the Chancellor’s Winter Economy Plan, with news on the job retention scheme, VAT and Business Loans.
The NI Executive has also announced an investment of a further £165m.
Six months from Coronavirus started to impact on our business and community life its an opportune time to reflect on where we our as a business community. To an extent we have weathered the first wave. Some businesses have fared better than others. But what now for Newry as we look at the inevitable second wave and a potential cliff edge Brexit?
Newry like other towns and cities needs support to see our local businesses through the next six months. We need to protect our skills base and retain our experienced workers. Many can recall the financial crash of 2008 and how it disseminated the construction sector. It is too early to say what the impact of today’s announcement on jobs will have.
The NI Executive’s investment in skills and apprenticeships will be important. Today’s announcement includes over £29m for a range of business interventions including support for the tourism industry, a Holiday at Home Voucher Scheme, as well as investment in skills and youth training and further business support.
We need the equivalent of the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme to kick start our local retail sector. A Shop Local Voucher Scheme, supported by tax relief like that offered in the South, could add £1m to the tills of Newry shops this Christmas. The Holiday At Home Voucher announced today will help the tourism sector.
Investment in infrastructure can be the catalyst for growth. We have seen ambitious projects like HS2 get off the ground in GB. Today’s announcement of further capital investment for the A6 and NI Water is welcome. We need our planning system and the NI Executive to give the green light to the major construction projects which have been stalled for the last number of years. This would represent a real boost to our local construction industry
Locally, the Council’s ambitious regeneration plans for our city centre provide an opportunity to generate jobs and attract further investment in the City. A New Park, a New Theatre, a New Civic Centre all need people to design, construct and ultimately work in. Delays undermine confidence and threaten employment.
As a border community, Brexit was not something we voted for and as a business community, without clear plans in place we look with unease to the end of the transition period in just three months. The UK and EU need to negotiate with renewed energy and good faith, to deliver a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement that should minimise the negative consequences of Brexit.
We need the agreements on East/West Trade between NI and GB delivered, which in itself will help to avoid a hard border.
Last but not least we need the Irish Government and the NI Executive to continue to invest in and support cross-border cooperation.
Newry is a resilient business community but with the partnership of government, the local council and businesses we can provide the confidence and employment opportunities to support our community through COVID-19 and Brexit.
Join over 12,000 people who follow us on Social Media:
Follow us on Facebook HERE.
Follow us on LinkedIn HERE.
Follow us on Twitter HERE.
Follow us on Instagram HERE.
You can contact me at:
colm@newrychamber.com
Colm Shannon,
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
RISHI SUNAK MP OUTLINES WINTER ECONOMY PLAN
The Chancellor of the Exechequer, Rishi Sunak MP has today outlined the government’s plans to protect jobs and support business over the coming months with a New Job Support Scheme being central to the plan.
MURPHY ALLOCATES £165M FOR BUSINESSES & CAPITAL PROJECTS
The NI Executive has today agreed Coronavirus funding allocations of £165 million which will see a funding injection for business, infrastructure, culture, schools and local councils.
SKILLS & INNOVATION SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
Economy Minister, Diane Dodds MLA today announced that eligibility criteria for the Dept. For The Economy’s Skills Focus and InnovateUs programmes have been extended to enable social enterprises to apply.
WORKSHOPS IN POST-BREXIT PAPERWORK & PROCEDURES
Trade Advisers are running a series of workshops from September to December 2020 to help local businesses prepare for the complex paperwork and procedures that will be required in a post-Brexit world.
INTERTRADEIRELAND BREXIT PLANNING VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
The end of transition is just over three months away. However, support from InterTradeIreland in the form of Brexit Planning Vouchers worth £2,000/€2,250 are still for those eligible business in both NI and ROI.
INVEST NI’S PREPARING FOR BREXIT WEBINARS
Invest Northern Ireland has an wide range of webinars taking place in the coming weeks which you can now register for on topics including Workforce Planning, VAT, Data Preparation, Immigration and the NI Protocol.
COVID-19 DIGITAL SELLING CAPABILITY GRANT
The COVID-19 Digital Selling Capability Grant (DSCG) can help small/medium sized retailers or wholesalers, prepare for growth, develop their customer base and find new markets, through their digital offering.