Business Update Issue 67

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Issue 67

21 April 2023

Business rates review

As we reported in Issue 60, on 1 April the new ratings list used to calculate business rates has come into effect. The list is set by the Valuation Office Agency and used by all local authorities to calculate every business rates bill. The rateable value in England has increased by 7.3% in comparison to the 2017 ratings list. 

We encourage all businesses to review their rates valuation. Although we are responsible for your rates bill, should you need to challenge the valuation i.e. because of changes such as floor area size or if you feel your valuation is too high, you must tell the Valuation Office Agency and continue to pay your business rates as normal until they have made a decision.

To check your business rates valuation:

New Energy Bills Discount Scheme

The new Energy Bills Discount Scheme started on 1 April and runs until 31 March 2024. Through it, the Government provides a baseline discount to support the bills of eligible non-domestic customers. As with the original scheme, suppliers will automatically apply the reductions.

Organisations which are classed as energy and trade intensive industries can apply for higher support and they will need to register for this, more details will be provided by the Government this April on how to register. To check if you’re eligible, please see the list of categories here.

For more information and updates:

Shape your business for the new financial year - sold out!

We have now reached capacity for our free business needs analysis with Bob Clarke, Wayfinder Business Adviser: April 24-28

If you didn't get a chance to book and would like support from Bob please consider following our Eventbrite account where we will publish any new availability in the event there are any cancellations. 

Newham Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the London Borough of Newham are pleased to announce the launch of the second Annual Business Conference, taking place on the 25 May at the University of East London – University Square Stratford Campus.

Find out more and secure your ticket:

Calling all entrepreneurs, sole traders, partnerships and small businesses which have up to five employees: you can currently join the Newham Chamber of Commerce (NCC) for free.

This offer a direct result of a collaborative approach between the NCC and ourselves reflects Mayor Fiaz’s Building a Fairer Newham objective to create an inclusive economy which works for local people and supports their wellbeing and financial security. 

We know that many businesses are facing rising costs and so will greatly benefit from free NCC membership, whose benefits include networking opportunities, monthly events, business support, free legal advice, financial advice, member discount for the above event  and much more!

Give your business a competitive edge with the

Help to Grow: Management Course

The Help to Grow: Management Course is designed and delivered by entrepreneurs and industry experts from world-class business schools. It provides:

• access to 12 weeks of learning designed to fit alongside work commitments
• development of a bespoke business growth plan to help your business reach its full potential
• 1:1 support from a business mentor
• networking opportunities.

The programme is 90% funded by the Government, so you only pay £750.

For more information:

Entrepreneur Week

24-28 April

This April the London Business Hub are hosting a programme of free events, webinars and workshops designed to help London’s SMEs thrive in the face of today’s economic challenges.

The event will uncover how businesses can navigate challenges brought on by the cost of living crisis, but also highlight ways businesses can build resilience and boost their profit. 

For more information and to see a full list of all programmes:

Grow your digital capabilities Get help to grow your digital capabilities with dedicated support from Local London’s E-Business Support Programme. To view a video about the programme click here. If you’re interested in joining the E-Business Support Programme please email us.

Exciting news for London residents aged 50+! The Startup School for Seniors is providing free eight week online course for aspiring entrepreneurs, starting on 11 May. Whether you have caring responsibilities, are unemployed or in work, you can take advantage of this amazing opportunity to turn your passion or idea into a thriving business. Don't miss this chance to learn, network and get your business off the ground!

For more information:

The deadline for the voluntary National Insurance has been extended by the Government to 31 July, replacing the earlier deadline of 5 April.

Anyone with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards now has more time to decide whether to fill the gaps to boost their State Pension. Any payments made will be at the lower 2022/23 tax year rates.

To check your National Insurance record:

UK Emergency Alerts service test

A nationwide test of the Government’s Emergency Alerts system will take place at 15:00 on Sunday 23 April. The system has been created to warn of a danger to life nearby.

The concept has already been used successfully in a number of other countries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan, where it has been widely credited with saving lives, such as during severe weather.

In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.

For more information and what to do when you get the alert:

We’re looking for more catering suppliers The Council wants to expand its Food Business Directory list of approved catering suppliers for the smaller events which we organise.  To be considered, caterers must: Be based in Newham. Pay the London Living Wage to all staff (currently £11.05 and increasing to £11.95 this May). Have a Food Standards Agency four or five star rating. Offer high quality food which is healthy and sustainable. Invest in skills training for themselves and their staff. If you meet all these criteria, please apply:

Cost of doing business: supporting you

As the cost of living crisis continues to hit Newham hard, including businesses, here’s lots of helpful information:

Events and exhibitions

SME XPO Tuesday 25 April-Wednesday 26 April – 10:00-16:00 London ExCeL This event will provide SMEs with thought leadership from leading keynote speakers such as Deborah Meaden of Dragons’ Den and Levi Roots, the founder of Reggae Reggae sauce. Often it’s a lonely place starting off as an entrepreneur and so this event aims will give you access to like-minded entrepreneurs as well as ample networking opportunities. This, in turn, will help you understand some of the challenges you face and tools that could help accelerate your growth. Find out more and secure your free ticket and/or to exhibit:

Green Energy Readiness bootcamp Cohort one: Tuesday 25 April-Wednesday 26 April – 09:30-16:00 London South Bank University, SE1 Cohort two: Tuesday 23 May-Wednesday 24 May – 09:30-16:00 London South Bank University, SE1 Making your small business greener isn’t just good for the planet, it's also great for your balance sheet. Green Energy Readiness bootcamp is a free, in-person, two day event. Whether you’re a tech start-up or an independent highstreet retailer, this is an opportunity to come together, share insights, and equip your business with the know-how needed to take your first steps toward net zero and real-world change supporting your sustainable growth. Find out more and secure your free ticket:

Blogs and podcasts

Soaring energy bills are fuelling the cost of doing business crisis Explore how the UK generates, distributes and uses energy. This blog explores the difficult decisions about how and where to invest in the energy infrastructure while ensuring support for small businesses through this energy crisis.

The Big Green Money Show Deborah Meaden and Felicity Hannah look back at the best bits from last year’s episodes, which feature some of the world's biggest business names talking about the biggest problem facing the planet: climate change.

Get listed on our Business Directory

Our Business Directory is an online database that provides you with the opportunity to promote your products and services to potential customers and other businesses. It's free to join.

Our Newham Pledge: be a force for change

The Our Newham Pledge is a formal yet voluntary commitment from organisations across Newham to make decisions and take actions that tangibly demonstrate their support for the community wealth building agenda. Its ambitions are closely linked to the community wealth building principles reflecting Newham’s overarching objective to achieve long-term prosperity, wellbeing and fairness for local residents and proactively respond to the borough’s climate emergency.

We are here to help, contact us today at: