November Policy & Business Briefing
The Suffolk Convention: “a major boost in getting us to the front of the Government funding queue”
A14 Business Survey Calls for Urgent Action from Policymakers to Protect Suffolk’s Economy
Suffolk business water group set up “to lobby, inform and encourage shared solutions”
Working together to do even more to reduce Suffolk's emissions
Suffolk Business Digital Champions: 5G Insights & Updates
The Suffolk Chamber is proud to host the Suffolk Business Digital Champions group, a dedicated initiative to unlock the potential of 5G for businesses across Suffolk. Reporting to our Transport & Infrastructure group, the Suffolk Business Digital Champions are working to raise awareness of the benefits of 5G within the local business community, advocate for greater infrastructure investment to enable successful 5G rollout, and support businesses in navigating the fast-evolving digital landscape.
A key area of focus for this initiative is exploring how 5G technology can transform business operations and unlock new growth opportunities. Mobile UK, the trade association for the UK’s mobile network operators, has recently published several articles highlighting the impact of 5G and mobile connectivity:
- Unleashing the Power of 5G SA – Industry predictions for the transformative impact of standalone 5G by 2025. Read more.
- Parliamentary Reception – Key insights from the recent Mobile UK reception, with a speech by DSIT Minister Sir Chris Bryant MP, discussing government support for mobile connectivity. Read more.
- 100 Days of Progress – Reflecting on government initiatives to improve mobile connectivity and the challenges that lie ahead. Read more.
- Connectivity in Daily Life – An exploration of the role connectivity plays in modern life and how it often goes unnoticed. Read more.
- Vodafone's 5G Rollout – How Vodafone’s nationwide 5G network expansion is projected to contribute £3 billion to the UK economy. Read more.
These articles underscore the importance of initiatives like Suffolk Business Digital Champions in helping businesses stay competitive in a digitally connected world. We’re proud to play a role in this journey and look forward to supporting our local business community with the latest insights and tools for digital growth.
Find out more about our Digital Champions group here.
A12 major road network improvements
Suffolk County Council are consulting on a range of proposals along the A12, between the A14/Seven Hills junction and the A1152/Woods Lane junction. These proposals are intended to tackle congestion, provide space for future growth and improve conditions for all road users including pedestrians and cyclists.
The A12 scheme is designed to:
- Introduce a new dual carriageway section between the B1438 and B1079 at Woodbridge, replacing the current single-carriageway bottleneck at Seckford Hall.
- Upgrade key roundabouts along the A12 east of Ipswich, from the A14 at Seven Hills to the A1152 at Woods Lane.
- Public transport improvements, including a new bus-link, and a new mobility hub in Martlesham.
- Walking and cycling improvements, including upgrading the existing Martlesham footbridge.
The scheme was previously consulted on in 2021, as part of work to develop designs and an Outline Business Case. Since then, the designs have been updated to reflect the feedback received. Suffolk County Council intends to submit a planning application for the scheme later this year.
The consultation is open until Tuesday 29 October 2024. Full details of the consultation can be found here
Suffolk LSIP events - Putting employers at the heart of local skills planning
Over the past two years Suffolk Chamber has been working to put employers at the heart of skills planning and has prepared the Norfolk and Suffolk Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) in partnership with Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, employers, Suffolk and Norfolk further education colleges, the University of Suffolk, other training providers and Suffolk and Norfolk county councils.
Suffolk Chamber has arranged a number of events across Suffolk to update employers on the progress of the LSIP and discuss what needs to be done next to tackle the skills challenges that Suffolk faces. The events are also an opportunity to find out more about:
- existing skills initiatives
- what businesses are already doing to tackle skills challenges
- improving careers education for young people
There have already been well attended and successful events in Stowmarket and Ipswich. In the Spring there will be events in Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft on the following dates:
26.02.2025 West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds 8.30-10.30 am Book here
12.03.2025 East Coast College, Lowestoft 8.30-10.30 am Book here
All events are free of charge and breakfast will be available.
BT Group launches £4m Apprenticeship Fund to boost local skills
BT Group has launched a new Apprenticeship Fund, designed to support SMEs, charities and public sector organisations across England by providing access to £4m in apprenticeship funding over an initial four-year period.
Since 2017, companies with an annual wage bill of more than £3 million have been required to pay the apprenticeship levy, using the funds to recruit and train apprentices. They can also choose to transfer up to 50% of their levy to help support other companies.
BT Group has partnered with Babington, one of the UK's largest and longest-established apprenticeship training providers to transfer up to £4 million from its apprenticeship levy funds to help SMEs, charities and the public sector train new apprentices and upskill their existing workforce.
Babington will play a crucial role in matching businesses with appropriate training providers and guiding them through the application process. Successful applicants will be provided with access to funded apprenticeship training within 20 days, subject to meeting funding criteria.
The Fund has the ability to scale up depending on take up and could support up to 550 apprentices, resulting in a £21m positive economic impact. The launch comes at a time when more than a third of mid-sized businesses are struggling to recruit apprentices.
training for their employees will be on offer to help SMEs grow and protect their business.
A key focus of the Apprenticeship Fund will be on digital skills development, reflecting BT's own emphasis on technology and innovation in its apprenticeship programmes. This approach aims to help SMEs bridge the digital skills gap and adopt new technologies, enhancing their competitiveness in an increasingly digital economy.
The Fund is open to SMEs, charities and public sector organisations across England, including the NHS, focusing on apprentices aged 22 and older. It aims to support local economic growth, reduce the digital divide, and enhance social mobility by providing quick access to apprenticeship funding.
Organisations interested in accessing apprenticeship levy funding can register their interest on the BT Group Apprenticeship Fund Portal.
Paua PINS
The Paua PINS (Private Infrastructure Network Solution) project, funded by the Department for Transport and delivered through Innovate UK, aims to enable vehicle operators to share the use of private depot charge points. This initiative represents a significant step in decarbonising fleet operations by providing businesses access to shared charging infrastructure.
The project is a collaboration between Paua, Cenex, Oxfordshire County Council, and Suffolk County Council. It is part of the Transport Decarbonisation Demonstrators programme. The goal of the project is to demonstrate how businesses can generate additional revenue by allowing other fleets to charge at their depots and by monetising their existing charging infrastructure.
The project partners would be grateful if you could complete a survey to learn more about your fleet's EV charging needs. The survey is designed to identify gaps in current understanding of fleet charging requirements and develop a better matchmaking platform to connect you with suitable charging infrastructure.
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Suffolk Chamber