In this week’s newsletter, we provide an overview of yesterday’s budget and what it means for Northern Ireland businesses (Credit: www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk).
We welcome the launch of a call for evidence for the High Street Task Force and would encourage members to take part. See more details below.
We are delighted to see a packed programme of events organised for the upcoming Newry, Mourne and Down Enterprise Week 2021, running from 8th – 12th November.
In addition, we have several upcoming Chamber events and full details are available below. Finally, we would like to welcome all those organisations who have joined as Chamber members in recent months.
Tony McKeown
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
OVERVIEW: AUTUMN BUDGET 2021
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP delivered his Autumn Budget 2021 yesterday.
Please see below an overview of the key points from the Autumn Budget and specific issues affecting Northern Ireland businesses.
NI-Specific Announcements
- NI Executive will receive an additional £1.6bn in funding for 2021-22.
- The NI Executive will also receive £1bn to support farmers and land managers and £9.3m to support fisheries.
- An additional £70m funding for the British Business Bank to build on existing programmes in NI, working closely with local partners.
- A new trade and investment hub will be established in Belfast.
- The KickStart scheme will be extended in GB with the NI Executive receiving additional funding through the Barnett formula to continue to the deliver JobStart scheme.
You can read a full breakdown of the Autumn Budget and what it means for your business via the link below.
CLICK HERE TO READ OVERVIEW OF BUDGET 2021.
CALL FOR EVIDENCE: HIGH STREET TASK FORCE
The Deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill MLA and the Junior Minister, Gary Middleton MLA have said.
“Hearing the views and experiences of all our citizens, including our business and community representatives, is crucial in realising our vision for thriving high streets.”
Ministers were speaking at the call for evidence launch, seeking views that will help shape the way forward in creating vibrant and sustainable city, town and village centres right across Northern Ireland.
The call for evidence is part of a series of engagement exercises being taken forward by the High Street Task Force, co-chaired by Executive Office Junior Ministers, Declan Kearney MLA and Gary Middleton MLA.
The high street task force call for evidence will run from 25th Oct 2021 – 6th Dec 2021.
Responses to the call for evidence may be provided via:
highstreet@communities-ni.gov.uk
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CALL FOR EVIDENCE DOCUMENT.
FREE ‘FUSE’ BUSINESS MENTORING PROGRAMME
The Fintech Corridor has launched a FREE mentoring programme, ‘FUSE’ connecting start-ups and SMEs with the leadership team at PayPal’s Dundalk site.
‘FUSE’ is designed to support promising businesses in the financial services industry and to help equip them with the tools they need to grow.
The programme, supported by InterTradeIreland, will provide a unique opportunity for collaboration between companies located across North East Ireland, focusing on the Dublin to Belfast (D2B) Fintech Corridor.
As ‘FUSE’ is targeted at helping start-ups and SMEs to help them reach their full potential, applications are open to companies with 50 employees or less.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY.
NEWRY CHAMBER AUTUMN EVENTS PROGRAMME 2021
A significant part of Newry Chamber’s work is to connect businesses, share ideas, best practice and encourage collaboration between our members.
So the return of in person events is positive news for us. We have a number of events taking place over the next 6 weeks which will provide networking opportunities and we hope to see you at our upcoming events.
Walk, Talk & Connect: Slieve Binnian Hike
Sunday 31st October 2021 – BOOK HERE
Meet Newry’s Young Entrepreneurs
Thursday 11th November 2021 – BOOK HERE
President’s Banquet & 200th Anniversary Lunch
Friday 19th November 2021 – BOOK HERE
Webinar: HMRC Trader Support Service Update
Tuesday 23rd November 2021 – BOOK HERE
Workplace Health & Wellbeing Conference
Tuesday 30th November 2021 (Full Details TBC)
Newry Chamber AGM
Thursday 9th December 2021 – BOOK HERE
NEWRY, MOURNE AND DOWN ENTERPRISE WEEK 2021
Newry, Mourne and Down Enterprise Week 2021 is running from Mon 8th Nov 2021 to Fri 12th Nov 2021.
A week-long collection of economic supports, activities and workshop events are taking place, aimed at residents and businesses in Newry Mourne and Down.
There are events covering a range of business topics:
► The Art of Feminine Leadership & Business
► Start To Grow… Again
► Post-Brexit Cross-Border Trade Webinar
► Innovation Funding & Support
► How To Advertise on Facebook & Instagram
► Tendering Opportunities
► Are You An Entrepreneur?
► Funded Training For Business
► Labelling Changes For Pre-Packed Direct Sale
CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS.