In summary
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Welcome to December’s FSB Merseyside and Cheshire Small Business Bulletin! Amid National Insurance rises and proposed changes to employment law, FSB is standing up for you – securing an Employment Allowance increase to protect the smallest employers and lobbying on the Employment Rights Bill after a Regulatory Policy Committee report criticised impact assessments for some of the key proposals. In Merseyside and Cheshire we are also championing and supporting small businesses. Read on to find out more. |
Featured news and events
FSB joins Cheshire Business Leaders in House of Lords
FSB Merseyside and Cheshire joined a delegation of business representatives from Cheshire and Warrington for a parliamentary reception in the House of Lords, organised by Cheshire Business Leaders.
The event was held in the Atlee Room and themed: ‘New opportunities for Cheshire with a change of Government.’ Discussions over lunch between businesses, local MPs and council leaders covered a range of priorities affecting the county.
Topics on the table included devolution, transport infrastructure development and opportunities and challenges around HyNet North West, an innovative low carbon and hydrogen energy project that will unlock a low carbon economy for the North West and North Wales.
The parliamentary reception was followed by a regular Cheshire Business Leaders meeting at the Willington Hall Hotel, near Tarporley, which heard from Mike Wilton, Director of ARUP, who spoke about the Midlands North-West rail link.
Chaired by Neville Chamberlain CBE, Cheshire Business Leaders is a volunteer group of business leaders from across the county. A dynamic and representative group which includes FSB, it acts to inform local and national government about key business issues, to be a sounding board on public sector initiatives and a think tank to create economic development initiatives.
Read on to learn how FSB supporting small business owners in the North West>
FSB chairs BIPC Start-up Day panel
FSB Development Manager Phil McCabe chaired an expert panel at a National Business & IP Centre Start Up Day event, organised by BIPC Liverpool.
The speakers offering key business insights were creative and tech guru Gavin Sherratt of the agency Goodship; Liverpool University Management School’s Entrepreneur in Residence Richard Leighton; Founder of Ways to WOW Jamie Wray and Liverpool sales coach and mentor Leon McCowan, whose Sales Dojo brings together expert sales trainers.
The latter two were joined by George Wright, Liverpool City Region Finance Hub Manager Lead, for a panel session exploring the key challenges and opportunities for start-ups and other businesses across the region, providing thought leadership and responding to audience questions.
The event, held at The Racquet Club Hotel & Ziba Restaurant located on Liverpool’s historic waterfront and hosted by BIPC’s Geraldine Fuller, also showcased two amazing local businesses, as part of BIPC Liverpool’s ‘High Street Heroes’ campaign.
In other news
Warrington Skills Partnership launch
FSB attended the inaugural meeting of the Warrington Skills Partnership, which aims to deliver recommendations made by the Warrington Skills Commission in 2023. Held in the Ceremony Room at the Council offices, 1 Time Square, Warrington, the meeting considered the partnership’s draft Terms of Reference, the appointment of a Chair and Deputy Chair, in addition to the work programme going forward, including short-and-long-term priorities, task and finish projects and actions to deliver them. In particular, the meeting focused on the Skills Commission recommendations, which were grouped under three main themes of ‘collaboration,’ ‘alignment’ and ‘preparation.’ The Warrington Skills Commission was launched in January 2023.
It aims to determine skills and qualifications requirements to ensure Warrington’s local economy remains competitive, grows to reach its true potential and that the current and future workforce demands of businesses and other organisations are met, so that local people can fully participate in the town’s growth. Eleanor Blackburn, Head of Inclusive Growth and Partnerships at Warrington Borough Council, later spoke about the partnership at a meeting of the FSB-Chaired Cheshire Business Group. Areas of focus included an aging population, future green skills and digital (including artificial intelligence).
NW Cyber Resilience Centre celebrates fifth anniversary
The North West Cyber Resilience Centre (NWCRC) has celebrated its fifth anniversary of supporting businesses against online fraud. The NWCR runs Cyber Security Programmes for businesses in Merseyside, Cheshire and across the North West, funded by local constabularies and Police and Crime Commissioners. Established in 2019, the organisation works with stakeholders to offer free cyber security training, providing vulnerability assessments, phishing exercises, security awareness exercises and other support. NWRC collaborates with student communities across the region to promote careers in cyber security.
In all, 28 North West students have been employed by the centre, which has also hosted nine inspirational Student Chapter events and provided speakers on the importance of cyber security at more than 500 events and webinars. North West Regional Organised Crime Unit Assistant Chief Constable, Rowan Moore, said: “It has been great to see how impactful the NWCRC has been to those businesses in the North West. There have been many successes over the past five years, including the free regional programmes in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and the recently rolled out programmes to businesses in Lancashire and rural Cumbria. The team continues to deliver vital support to businesses who need valuable training and guidance.”
Still in the news
St Helens Networking
Businesses from St Helens and beyond gathered at the Ruskin Sports Village in the town recently for a morning of networking and business support. FSB Merseyside and Cheshire was joined by the St Helens Business Support and Start-up Service and also HSBC, following on from the successful Liverpool FSB-HSBC networking at the Royal Liver Buildings, Liverpool. Attendees were able to build their contacts and potential client base over tea and coffee, and learn about the support available to them locally. In addition to relaxed and informal face-to-face networking they heard from Membership Advisor Darren Gallimore about FSB’s fantastic range of member benefits. Throughout, there was an emphasis on making introductions, connecting with new contacts and meeting old friends – all with a warm welcome and an easy atmosphere.
Jobcentre Plus - support for employers
Jobcentre Plus is offering a tailored service supporting employers with recruitment, advice and a helping hand to grow your business. A network of local Employer Advisers helps you find the right people and provides assistance with job descriptions, more efficient recruitment processes and promoting vacancies in local Jobcentres and on social media – plus, Jobcentre Plus offices are available for interviews and local recruitment events. Schemes include a sector-based Work Academy Programme to match skills with vacancies. Lasting up to six weeks, the programme is comprised of pre-employment training matched to business needs, a short work experience placement and a guaranteed job interview.
Jobcentre Plus organises work experience placements for young people aged 18-24, and those aged 25 and over who don’t have recent work history. In addition, work trials are short unpaid periods of work you can offer jobseekers, who keep their benefits, to see if the job is a good fit. It also supports businesses with Apprenticeships, paid jobs with training. Apprentices are employed at various levels, from school leavers and graduates to people wanting to further their careers or change direction. You can hire someone new or upskill an existing employee. Funding from Government can help with the costs.
More news and activity near you
- Lancashire and Cumbria
- Greater Manchester
- More from FSB North West
Get in touch
Your FSB Development Manager for Merseyside & Cheshire is Phil McCabe. If you'd like more information about the topics above, or if you have news about this area that you'd like to share, please get in touch.
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