Welcome

There have been some very happy faces on social media recently as hospitality venues have welcomed customers back into their premises. The number of weddings planned in the next few weeks is massive!

Meanwhile, we continue to feedback to government on things that still need to be addressed. We have recently published new survey data which shows that the vast majority of responding businesses (78%) have no plans in place to require evidence of vaccination from customers, suppliers or employees. This research shows that government must quickly clarify what measures will be required for businesses to maintain safety standards after we reach the final stage of the roadmap on June 21st. In particular, they must resolve the ongoing debate around the use of vaccine certification, providing clear and decisive guidance to business allowing them sufficient time to plan.

As we went to press last month Surrey Chambers was bidding to government to lead on a Local Skills Improvement Plan trailblazer. In order to get upto-date feedback, we came out to the business community and within a few days received 150 responses. The areas of skills demand with the highest priority were customer service, professional services and digital, and we were able to highlight this in our report. With regard to barriers to accessing skills we received a rich set of information, which we will be sharing with skills providers as we go forward, regardless of whether we are selected to run a trailblazer. Anyone keen to be part of a skills action group should contact us.

Ahead of COP26, the 2021 United Nations climate change conference, taking place in Glasgow from November 1st-12th, and as part of the Chamber Network worldwide, we are amplifying the net zero message. We are encouraging all businesses to sign up to the official SME Climate Commitment via the UK Business Climate Hub which provides businesses access to assets and promotional materials to publicise their

pledge, so they can show prospective customers evidence of their climate credentials. They will also be included on the UK Business Climate Hub's list of businesses who have signed up and have the chance to feature in the campaign. Reducing emissions can lower businesses’s running costs, save them money and attract new customers – ultimately helping them maintain a competitive advantage locally and globally. As members of the Surrey Climate Commission, we will be planning a number of activities over the coming months and hope that many Surrey businesses will join in.

Kickstart continues to fl ourish with nearly 600 placements now approved and 130 matches in place. The feedback from employers and young people is proving to be really positive. There are a number of other ways that businesses can support young people and these opportunities are being pulled together within Youth Hubs across the county. We will be promoting these hubs as they open, and the fi rst one was the reigate, Banstead & Tandridge hub, where I met Mims davies MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment, who was keen to talk about our Kickstart success and other government initiatives.

CEO Surrey Chamber of Commerce

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