Last night’s announcement from the NI Executive was not the start businesses wanted for the new year. It wasn’t unexpected given the continuing increase in COVID-19 cases and what is happening in the rest of the UK.
In this update, I have summarised the relevant points from the NI Executive’s announcement that are important for businesses.
Brexit and what happens now is a key question for many businesses. I have provided some useful links for further information and details of some upcoming webinars that might be helpful. The Chamber is hoping to run a webinar later in the month on what the EU/UK deal means for businesses.
The Southern Regional College are running a useful winter webinar series for businesses. Details are published below.
Finally, I would like to wish all our members, their staff and their families a Happy New Year. Hopefully 2021 will be a better and safer year than last.
Also, don’t forget to join our three New Facebook Groups, which have been set up by the Chamber to support local businesses.
1. SHOP, DINE & STAY NEWRY – JOIN GROUP HERE.
2. NETWORK NEWRY – JOIN GROUP HERE.
3. JOBS NEWRY – JOIN GROUP HERE.
Colm Shannon
Chief Executive Officer
Newry Chamber of Commerce & Trade
FURTHER RESTRICTIONS ATTACHED TO LOCKDOWN IN NI
The NI Executive has announced an order for people in Northern Ireland to ‘STAY AT HOME’ to stop the spread of COVID-19. It will become legally enforceable from 00:01am on Friday 8th January 2021.
It will mean that people can only leave home for:
► Exercise
► Medical or food needs
► Work that cannot be done from home
Given the restrictions previously announced in NI before Christmas, for the closure of non-essential retail, hospitality and close contact services, there hasn’t been a major change in terms of businesses which must close.
The key issue for businesses is a stronger and legally enforceable message about staying at home. If employees can work from home, the NI Executive wants them to do so.
It would also be sensible for employers to provide those employees who cannot carry out their work at home with a letter of authority or their work ID pass to present to the PSNI if they are stopped on their way to or from work.
The NI Executive also supported a proposal from the Health Minister to make it a requirement for all employers to conduct a risk assessment where employees are required to work away from their home.
Employers already have additional measures in place to protect their staff against COVID-19, however, it would be timely to ensure all the necessary precautions are in still in place and remind staff of the health and safety precautions they should follow.
Yesterday’s announcement from the Chancellor resulted in £127m for NI. We are still waiting to hear about any additional support for NI businesses and when we hear, the Chamber will provide a further update.
Ministers agreed the additional measures will last until 6th February 2021 and be reviewed alongside other lockdown measures on 21st January 2021.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
BREXIT TRANSITION: NEW RULES FOR 2021
As a result of Brexit, the way we do business has changed. The Cabinet Office has provided some useful links which might help you better understand the changes. These are set out below:
1. Brexit Transition Checker Tool for a list of personalised actions and guidance HERE.
2. How To Prepare guides provide NI businesses with a list of up to date key actions for all businesses to take as well as a number of sector specific guides HERE.
3. If you move goods into, out of, or through NI, check the latest NI Protocol guidance HERE.
4. The Trader Support Service provides free training and support for businesses navigating customs processes that will arise for goods moving between GB & NI which you can sign up for HERE.
5. The Movement Assistance Scheme will assist traders moving animals, plants and associated goods from GB to NI and will include a helpline with advisers ready to help you with the new requirements, you can view the guidance HERE.
6. All businesses that bring goods from GB to NI should consider whether they meet the criteria for the UK Trader Scheme. Businesses now need to make declarations and may need to pay any tariffs due when bringing goods into NI from GB or from countries outside of the EU, you can find out more on HERE.
7. Sign up for business readiness bulletins from the Cabinet Office to receive important updates for your business HERE.
SRC WINTER SERIES OF WEBINARS
In the current business environment, ensuring your staff improve their skills and look for new training opportunities is essential. Staff on Furlough are also allowed to go on training programmes and this should be encouraged.
The SRC has just published their Winter Series of Webinars to support local businesses:
WEBINAR:
Developing Inventory Management & Scheduling Systems
DATE: Friday 15th January 2021
TIME: 9:30am – 10:30am
WEBINAR:
Designs For Manufacturing
DATE: Friday 22nd January 2021
TIME: 9:30am – 10:30am
WEBINAR:
Marketing – How do you know if your spend is affective?
DATE: Friday 29th January 2021
TIME: 9:30am – 10:30am
WEBINAR:
Photography & Photoshop For Business
DATE: Friday 12th February 2021
TIME: 9:30am – 10:30am
WEBINAR:
Using AR & VR Technologies to help sell Arts & Crafts
DATE: Friday 26th February 2021
TIME: 9:30am – 10:30am
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.
DfE WEBINAR: COVERING ‘RULES OF ORIGIN’ & ‘AT RISK’
Following the Brexit Deal agreement on Christmas Eve, the Department for the Economy is aware that there are significant questions about how ‘rules of origin’ and ‘at risk’ interact and what actions companies that do not qualify for the UK Trader Scheme need to take.
DATE: Monday 11th January 2021
TIME: 2pm – 4pm
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs will also be giving a presentation to attendees on the ‘rules of origin’ particular to agri-food.
Zoom details will follow once you have registered.
Please register your interest by return email, including any questions you would like to ask, by no later than noon Friday 8th January 2021 via:
Dfe.EUEXITCMB@economy-ni.gov.uk
WORKSHOPS IN POST-BREXIT CUSTOMS PAPERWORK & PROCEDURES
As you will know, the EU and UK have concluded the Trade and Cooperation Agreement – a 1,246 document with the notable benefit of the absence of tariffs on the movement of goods, subject to rules of origin requirements.
The role of Trade Advisers is to interpret this new regime for businesses and, in particular, to provide guidance on the new paperwork.
They will be holding their Q1-2021 programme of Customs Workshops on:
► 12th January 2021
► 20th January 2021
► 8th February 2021
► 26th February 2021
► 11th March 2021
► 29th March 2021
These are day-long events conducted over Zoom and designed to be highly interactive with participants encouraged to raise questions relating to their concerns.
The workshops start at 9:30am and finish at 4pm.
Their trainers have deep experience of EU Customs and HMRC and funding is available from InterTradeIreland and HMRC.
CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFO.