BIS Policies

Coaching for high growth SMEs

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:24:45 GMT

The new Business Coaching for Growth programme (BCG), aims to propel the nation’s most promising high growth SME’s and boost economic growth. It is designed to achieve maximum economic advantage to the UK by increasing the number of businesses that achieve genuine high growth; the businesses that contribute the most too economic and employment growth.

BCG is an ambitious new programme, coordinated nationally but delivered at a local level, which provides high quality coaching support for up to 10,000 SMEs a year with high growth potential. The programme provides coaches to work face to face with senior management teams, to help them develop and implement their strategies and overcome the challenges that businesses face on a range of issues such as sales, raising finance or exploiting innovation.

The programme is designed with the specific needs of a growing business at its centre, the programme provides businesses with bespoke solutions to their growth challenges. Along with the high quality coaching, the programme gives growing SMEs a highly networked offer, and will connect the high growth potential businesses to:

External finance – Business Angel Networks, Venture Capitalists.
Business Support Services – Trade (UK Trade and Investment), Innovation (Technology Strategy Board), Intellectual Property (Intellectual Property Office), Manufacturing (Manufacturing Advisory Service) as well as private sector delivered solutions.
Access to Premises - science parks, universities, business incubators.

BCG will target established businesses and start ups with the potential to achieve fast or high growth rates as defined by the criteria below:

SMEs with 10 or more employees with the potential to increase turnover or employment by an annual average rate of 20% over three years.
SMEs with fewer than 10 employees that over three years have the potential to increase employment by at least 7 employees or annual turnover by £0.75m.
Start-ups with potential to achieve turnover of £1m within three years of starting trading, or to have at least 10 employees within three years.

The programme will be delivered by the Coaching for Growth Consortium. The consortium comprises Grant Thornton, Pera, Oxford Innovation, and Winning Pitch along with seven other key delivery partners with excellent connections to local support providers right across the country.

Further information can be found on the Consortiums interim website

Contact

Chris Hepworth (chris.hepworth@bis.gsi.gov.uk, 020 7215 1069)

Notices to Exporters

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:44:08 GMT

What are the ECO's "Notices to Exporters"?

"Notices to Exporters" is an email notification service provided by the Export Control Organisation.

The notices provide updates on legislation and sanctions, notification of Open General Licence revocations and other export control related issues. We issue approximately 30 notices annually about legislative updates and other changes.

To automatically receive any new Notices when issued, you can choose to subscribe in various ways. Find out more about how to subscribe via email. Alternatively subscribe via either the ECO's RSS or Twitter feeds.

RSS Feed

Current Notices

This provides a listing of all current published Notices in grouped by subject and then in date order (latest first).

Title of Notice	Topic	Date Issued
Notice to Exporters 2012/10 - Amendment to Open General Export Licence (International Non-Proliferation Regime Decontrols: Dual-Use Items)	Open General Export Licences	10 February 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/09 - BIS Secretary of State announces Suspension Mechanism for processing of licence applications in countries experiencing a sharp deterioration in security or stability	Export Control Policy Review	8 February 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/08 - UK Government publishes formal response to the European Commission Green Paper on the dual-use export control system	General Awareness	2 February 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/07 - Sector-based seminars on export compliance organised by King's College, Centre for Science and Security Studies	Training / General Awareness	1 February 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/06 - New restrictive measures against Iran as detailed in Council Decision 2012/35/CFSP	Sanctions	27 January 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/05 - New features made to SPIRE via System Release 2.14	General Awareness	23 January 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/04 - Explanation of the contractual exemption concerning prohibited oil and gas and electricity generating equipment supplied to Syria	Sanctions	19 January 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/03 - European Union publishes new Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012 implementing restrictive measures on Syria	Sanctions	19 January 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/02 - UK Strategic Export Control Lists republished following amendment to EU Torture Regulation	Legislation	17 January 2012
Notice to Exporters 2012/01 - European Union publishes new open licences or EU General Export Authorisations for export of controlled dual-use items	Licence Amendments and Legislation	6 January 2012
Notice to Exporters 2011/31 - Sanctions on Sudan and South Sudan - Update on legislation	Legislation and Sanctions	19 December 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/30 - Amendment to Open Licences removing Syria from licensing coverage	Licence Amendments	8 December 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/29 - New European Union Sanctions on Syria as detailed in Council Decision 2011/782/CFSP	Sanctions	6 December 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/28 - Non-compliance and failure to use correct Open General Export Licences for Military Goods	Licensing Guidance	30 November 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/27 - Financial Restrictions on UK financial and credit institutions transactions and relationships with all Iranian banks	Financial Restrictions and Sanctions	21 November 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/26 - Introduction of Export Control (Al-Qaida and Taliban Sanctions) Regulations 2011	Legislation and Sanctions	16 November 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/25 - Licence processing timescales and "progress chasing" within 20 working days	Licensing and General Awareness	14 November 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/24 - United States (US) International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) - ITAR Rule Change 126.18 concerning Dual and Third Country National Employees	General Awareness	31 October 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/23 - SPIRE Applications - What to do when applying on behalf of an overseas organisation or entity without a SPIRE account	General Awareness	7 October 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/22 - Amendment to Open General Export Licence (Oil and Gas Exploration) coming into force on 10 October 2011	Licence Amendments	30 September 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/21 - Strategic export licensing and freight forwarders - clarification of policy	Legislation and Policy	21 September 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/20 - King's College research project on proliferation procurement - Invite to complete compliance survey	General Awareness	12 September 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/19 - New HMRC arrangements for presenting SIELs for controlled goods being exported within the European Union	Customs Procedures	25 August 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/18 - Consultation on EU Dual-Use Regulation launched by the European Union (details of Exporter Conference)	Consultation	17 August 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/17 - Amendment to Open General Export Licence (International Non-Proliferation Regime Decontrols: Dual-Use Items)	Licence Amendments	21 July 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/16 - Consultation on EU Dual-Use Regulation launched by the European Union	Consultation	8 July 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/15 - Amendments to Open General Export Licences coming into force on 6th July 2011	Licence Amendments	1 July 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/14 - Update on newly imposed and lifted sanctions - Belarus and Sierra Leone	Sanctions	23 June 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/13 - New Control List Classification Advice and End-User Advice Services launched	General Awareness	6 June 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/12 - New export control legislation concerning Eritrea, Iran and Syria	Legislation	27 May 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/10 - EU Sanctions against Syria	Sanctions	13 May 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/09 - New control on the export of specified drugs to the USA	Legislation	13 May 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/08 - Publication of Bribery Act Guidance	Legislation	31 March 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/07 - UN and EU Sanctions on Libya	Sanctions	7 March 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/06 - Publication of new Open General Export Licence (OGEL) for International Non-Proliferation Regime Decontrols: Dual-Use Items	Licence Amendments	25 February 2011
Notice to Exporters 2011/04 - Open General Export Licence (Military Goods) - 'Permitted Use' and Undertaking Template	General Awareness	28 January 2011
Notice to Exporters 2010/40 - Iran - Change to export licensing policy of Annex IV listed items	Sanctions	10 November 2010
Notice to Exporters 2010/34 - New European Union sanctions on Iran as detailed in Council Regulation 961/2010	Sanctions	27 October 2010
Notice to Exporters 2010/25 - Update about export licence applications and European Union sanctions on Iran	Sanctions	20 August 2010
Notice to Exporters 2010/21 - European Union Sanctions against Iran as of 26 July 2010	Sanctions	4 August 2010
Notice to Exporters 2010/20 - Renewing European Union (EU) Sanctions on Burma/Myanmar	Sanctions	6 July 2010
Notice to Exporters 2010/11 - Lifting of EU Sanctions on Uzbekistan	Sanctions	18 March 2010
Notice to Exporters 2010/07 - Extension of EU Sanctions on Republic of Guinea	Sanctions	23 February 2010
Notice to Exporters 2010/04 - EU Sanctions on Democratic People's Republic of Korea	Sanctions	27 January 2010
Notice to Exporters 2009/25 - EU Sanctions on Republic of Guinea	Sanctions	11 November 2009
Notice to Exporters 2009/18 - EU Sanctions on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – EU Commission Regulation amendment of 29th July 2009	Sanctions	7 August 2009
Notice to Exporters 2009/10 - EU Sanctions on Uzbekistan	Sanctions	14 May 2009
Notice to Exporters 2009/01 - UN Sanctions on Rwanda lifted	Sanctions	8 January 2009

Notification of Prosecutions and Compound Penalties

You can read details of export control offences on our pages on Export Control Prosecutions Notices and Compound Penalty Cases.

Training and Awareness Newsletters

The ECO also publishes newsletters which update exporters about export control licensing, compliance and enforcement issues and advertising the ECO's training and awareness programme. You can download the latest versions here:

Iran List

This is a list of entities or organisations in Iran which is made publically available to exporters by the ECO
It is intended to help you judge which exports might potentially be of concern on End-Use Control grounds, based on previous licensing decisions.

Iran List

For further details about exporting to Iran, see the published information on Current Arms Embargoes on the export control pages of the Businesslink website.

Archived Notices

The ECO periodically archives Notices that are out of date due to subsequent legislative or licence amendments.

Access Archived Notices published in 2009 and 2010. You can also access copies of any archived Notices either via the UK Government Web Archive provided by the National Archives or by contacting the ECO Helpline (see details of how to Contact the Export Control Organisation).

Export Control Organisation

Updated: 10 February 2012

Application forms

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:30:14 GMT

Application forms

Bidding is currently closed. We will post fresh guidance and applications forms as soon as Round 3 opens for bids.

You may review the existing bidding guidance below but please note that this will be updated for the launch of Round 3 in February.

To ask for a copy of any of these documents in other formats e.g. Braille, please email.

Bidding guidance

Although the bidding process is currently closed, you can still view the guidance from Round 2 here. This guidance will be updated for the launch of Round 3.

Information for Applicants

The official statistics which will be used in assessing location are listed below:

Percentage of residents (aged 16-64 years old) claiming out of work benefits
Public sector employee job share
Number of active enterprises per 1,000 resident population are available on theONS website and the NOMIS website.
Private sector employee job growth

The attached file collates the data which will be used in the assessment.

Taken together, such data will help us form a view of the current state of reliance on public sector employment. However, it will be important to consider other evidence, and bidders are asked to submit any other information they believe will help us in forming a good understanding of the relative reliance of the area the bid will cover.

Submitting a project outline

New deadlines will be posted here when Round 3 opens.

If you have questions about the RGF please see our FAQs and contact us pages.

Please note: it is not mandatory to submit an Expression of Interest in order to bid.

For help with an expression of interest, you may want to attend one of our regional events.

What is the Regional Growth Fund?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:44:35 GMT

The Coalition Agreement committed the Government to “create a fairer and more balanced economy, where we are not so dependent on a narrow range of economic sectors, and where new businesses and economic opportunities are more evenly shared between regions and industries.”

On 29 June, the Deputy Prime Minister launched a £1 billion Regional Growth Fund to provide support for projects that offer significant potential for sustainable economic growth and can create new private sector employment. The fund will particularly help areas and communities currently dependent on the public sector make the transition to private sector led growth and prosperity.

To help design the Fund, the Government asked the public to provide responses to a number of questions posed in an informal consultation, which was opened on 23 July 2010. The consultation closed on 6 Sep 2010 and the Government response was published on 28 Oct 2010

Key points of the Government’s response are:

The RGF will be flexible, with bidders able to submit bids either as a project; or a package of projects; or a programme.
The RGF will not duplicate existing funds, and where appropriate it will align with other funds.
The RGF will have a minimum bid threshold of £1 million.
£1.4 billion will be made available through the RGF, over a three year period.
Guidance will be published that will set the RGF’s criteria and details around Green Book and EU State Aid compliance. The application form will be designed to capture information that satisfies the criteria and requirements.

At the 2011 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a further £1 billion for the Regional Growth Fund (RGF), which will be extended into 2014-15. The RGF is now worth £2.4 billion over four years from 2011-12 to 2014-15. It is intended to promote the private sector in areas in England most at risk to public sector cuts.

Announcing the successful bids, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

”I was bowled over by the quality of the bids. This money will now help create and safeguard jobs in some of the communities worst hit by the economic downturn.

“[This] is a step towards rebalancing our economy away from an unhealthy overreliance on a small number of industries and a few areas. We need to spread opportunity across the whole country, drawing on our many talents.”

Round 1

The Government allocated the first £450 million of funding to 50 bids on 12 April 2011. We have published a full list of successful bids. So far 18 bids have signed contracts to receive their RGF and 50% of projects have started.

Round 2

The Government allocated a further £950 million of funding to 126 bids in the autumn of 2011 following the second round of bidding. We have published a list of 119 of these bids while the due diligence process proceeds. A full list will be available when contracts are signed. So far 29 bids have signed contracts to receive their RGF and over 20% of projects have started.

In order for a project to be awarded RGF money, they must successfully complete the RGF process. This process is overseen by an Independent Advisory panel of business leaders and chaired by Lord Heseltine. The Independent Advisory Panel make recommendations to a Ministerial Panel, led by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, which will make the final decisions as to which bids should receive funding.

Enterprise and Economic Development Analysis Research

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:58:53 GMT

This section contains reports of surveys, research and analysis that cut across several enterprise and economic development policy issues.

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

Older reports can be found at the National Archives website.

Taskforce to boost finance options for businesses

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:36:28 GMT

Latest news – 27th January - The industry-led taskforce, chaired by Tim Breedon, CEO of Legal and General, held their second meeting today.

Taskforce members considered evidence and data on the strength of the current non-bank finance sector, debated how this complements bank lending, and discussed business attitudes to non-bank finance.

In the coming weeks the taskforce will further identify and explore structural and behavioural barriers to non-bank lending, including analysing the many contributions and ideas received in response to the call for evidence (which has now closed).

Following a workshop today in Manchester, next week sees further opportunities for businesses and industry experts to input to the taskforce’s work with regional workshops planned in Glasgow, Cardiff, London and Newcastle.

What is the Taskforce?

As part of the Government's work on credit easing, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has set up a non-bank lending taskforce. It will be chaired by Tim Breedon, Chief Executive of Legal & General Group plc. The taskforce has been commissioned to examine structural and behavioural barriers to the development of alternative debt markets in the UK, building on recent work on this subject. It will make evidence-based recommendations to Government ahead of the 2012 Budget on practical measures to facilitate the development of these markets.

UK businesses have been heavily reliant on banks to raise finance. The majority of smaller and mid-sized businesses rely solely on bank loans to raise finance. Only around ten per cent of these businesses seek asset-based finance and fewer than five per cent choose bond or mezzanine finance.

The Taskforce will work with businesses, lenders, investors and providers of alternative finance to examine structural and behavioural barriers to raising non-bank finance. It will set out what steps are needed to ensure businesses can access a wider range of alternative finance sources.

Improving access to non-bank debt: industry taskforce terms of reference

Call for evidence

The taskforce is inviting views from business and other industry members on how Government can support a stronger non-bank lending landscape in the UK.

Submissions to the call for evidence should be sent to business.finance@bis.gsi.gov.uk by Friday 27 January 2012.

Improving access to non-bank debt: call for evidence

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

"Businesses across the UK are still in many cases unhappy with the way they have been treated by banks.

"We have secured a rise in new lending from the biggest banks this year and credit easing is designed to provide another immediate boost. But I want to see as much competition in the market as possible and for businesses to have access to a wide range of finance sources.

"There are exciting innovations emerging that provide alternatives to bank lending. Businesses are selling bonds directly to their customers, missing out the middle-men. And peer-to-peer lending has opened up opportunities for savers to invest directly in the fortunes of UK businesses. I want to investigate and dismantle any barriers to these and future innovations.

"Tim Breedon is a highly capable and well-respected figure in finance and I look forward to working with him in the coming months as he takes forward this important work."

Consumer empowerment

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:31:08 GMT

Consumer empowerment strategy

Better Choices: Better Deals

The Government launched its 'Consumer Empowerment Strategy; Better Choices: Better Deals. Consumers Powering Growth' on 13 April 2011.

Download Better Choices: Better Deals - Consumers Powering Growth

The strategy sets out what Government and others can do to help increase consumer power in a rapidly changing and demanding economy. It aims to put consumers in charge so that they are better able to get the best deals for themselves, individually and collectively.

It also looks at ways of helping the most vulnerable and disadvantaged who may not otherwise benefit from rapid technological and social change.

An innovative non-regulatory approach, working in partnership with businesses, consumer groups and 3rd sector bodies, it will contribute to economic growth by putting information and influence into the hands of consumers.

The report is split into four sections:

The Power of Information.
The Power of the Crowd.
Support for the Vulnerable.
A new role for business and Government.

The Power of Information

A new project ‘midata’ will give consumers more control and access to their personal data.

As service providers and retailers, many businesses store purchasing information about their customers. Government wants to work with these businesses to come up with a solution that allows consumers to access this information, analyse it according to their own preferences and make better choices.

The aim is for data to be portable and safe. Consumers can choose how to share this data to take advantage of the growing number of computer and phone Apps that can tell them how to find a better deal, or provide more information about their spending habits. Consumers will not have to share or access data and Government will not see any of the data.

A working group of business, consumer and privacy groups, and computer App developers will look at how to release data in an open reusable format. They will also look at privacy, security and legal issues.

Did you know:

There are 12.7 million different phone deals to choose from, and a survey from Billmonitor shows that the average mobile phone user overspends by £200 a year. Using the personal data a phone company holds, such as whether a customer uses all their minutes or exceed their internet allowance, could help consumers to find a better deal.

The Power of the Crowd

Feedback loops

Consumers are increasingly able to provide feedback on service, which can in turn affect business performance. Business will respond to this increased consumer engagement by being increasingly innovative and competitive, which will stimulate economic growth for the benefit of all.

Government will develop a quality mark for web and comparison sites that have clear and transparent consumer-feedback. This will enable consumers to know they can trust the feedback they read.

Collective Purchasing

The Government will support collective purchasing – the power of the crowd to collaborate and get the best deals.

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A BIS/Co-Operatives UK Innovation Prize on collective purchasing will be launched in order to stimulate new collective purchasing deals– this will include grants from a £30,000 prize fund. For further details as well as case studies and a discussion forum on community buying, see the Community Buying website

Business will be integral to supporting collective purchasing:; there will be a pilot on collective purchasing in green deals to save consumers money with B&Q.

BIS will be working with the new group of Community Organisers to encourage local communities to develop their own collective purchasing ideas. We will also build a toolkit for community organisers and others to facilitate collective purchasing, including clear advice on insurance and legal issues - now published, see Guide for Community Buying Groups.

The BIS Collective Purchasing Conference will be in London on Wednesday 7 December 2011. For further information and contact details see the link - BIS Collective Purchasing Conference.

Read Consumer Affairs Minister Edward Davey’s blog on collective purchasing.

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Support for the Vulnerable

Did you know:

9.2 million adults in the UK have never accessed the internet and only 62% of adults have shopped online in the last year.
Consumers who do not use the internet, pay on average £560 more a year for household services.

The Government wants to ensure that everyone has access to better choices and that the most vulnerable are empowered.

Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Scotland and Consumer Focus have been asked to conduct a joint review, creating a new, strategic approach to helping the most vulnerable consumers.

BIS will also be looking at a new resolution scheme for online and e-commerce disputes.The Cabinet Office, in partnership with Argos, will run a trial on the impact of providing access to consumer feedback in stores.

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A new role for Business and Government

This is a new approach and marks a shift away from legislating to make change happen. Instead it announces new ways to help consumers help themselves and challenges business to innovate, which in turn will drive growth in the economy.

Instead, working in partnership with business, consumer, and voluntary groups the Government has rolled out new initiatives and achieved momentum faster than if it had used a more traditional approach. This includes:

Extending the Responsibility deal to new areas.
Building on Every Business commits.
Improving customer service through professional standards.
A shift in the style of consumer protection.

Every Business Commits

This is an innovative project that encourages businesses to focus on five priorities:

Reduce carbon and protect the environment.
Improve skills and create jobs.
Support your community.
Improve quality of life and well-being.
Support small and medium-sized enterprises.

Find out more about Every Business Commits

Let us know what you think

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Notice to Exporters 2012/09 - BIS Secretary of State announces Suspension Mechanism for processing of licence applications in countries experiencing a sharp deterioration in security or stability

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:37:31 GMT

On 7th February, as part of the Export Control Policy review, Business Secretary Vince Cable announced a package of proposals developed by FCO and BIS to further strengthen the Export Licensing system.

Link to Notice

Find out more about the new suspenson mechanism in Notice to Exporters 2012/09.

Export Control Guidance

The Export Control Organisation (ECO) is the UK's regulatory 'strategic' export licensing authority and forms part of the UK's Department for Business. Further details about the ECO's advisory services and practical guidance for exporters is available on the export control pages of the Businesslink website.

Previously issued Notices to Exporters

You can access previously issued Notices via our Notices to Exporters page.

You can choose to subscribe to our email alerts service by emailing us at web.comments@bis.gsi.gov.uk or alternatively by subscribing to either via our RSS feed or via Twitter.

Other Notification Services

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) also publishes a Bulletin which sets out the wider work of BIS to build a dynamic and competitive economy. Click here for more information and to subscribe.

Export Control Enquiries

For general export control queries please contact the ECO Helpline on 020 7215 4594 or eco.help@bis.gsi.gov.uk

ECO Business Awareness Team
Export Control Organisation
Notice to Exporters 2012/09
8 February 2012

Moving to the Green Economy

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:45:11 GMT

The Government is taking action to cut carbon emissions, create the conditions for green growth, and improve resilience to climate change. This will help to bring about the transition to a sustainable green economy. Such a transition is essential for delivering sustainable growth, both economically and environmentally, not just in traditional environmental and low carbon sectors, but across the wider economy.

Businesses are the key to the transition to a green economy. Businesses can create growth and jobs as well as contributing to a cleaner environment through taking action on climate change, the more efficient use of resources such as energy, water and materials and minimising waste.

There will also be business opportunities for organisations of all sizes created by new and developing markets for more innovative green and low carbon technologies and processes that can help deliver the transition to a greener economy. UK businesses could save around £23 billion per year from resource efficiency measures that cost little or nothing, including approximately £18bn from using raw materials more efficiently and generating less waste.

Three different government departments – Defra, DECC, and BIS – work on issues relating to the green economy. They are all keen to collaborate with LEPs on such issues.

Defra

As the lead Department for the green economy Defra is keen to work with LEPs in this area via policies around waste, valuing the natural environment and adapting to and mitigating climate change. These all play an important role in delivering a green economy, and present opportunities and challenges for businesses.

Defra has a number of delivery partners who can help you to work with on issues such as wildlife, marine management and waste and resource efficiency. For information and contact details for Defra, the Environment Agency, Natural England, the Marine Management Organisation, the Forestry Commission and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) see Further information on the Environment Agency and Defra’s other delivery partners.

BIS

The low carbon economy team in BIS works with industry and across Government to maximise opportunities and minimise costs arising from the transition to a low carbon economy for British-based businesses. The team leads work on how to maintain a competitive energy intensive sector whilst meeting greenhouse gas targets.

The team looks forward to working with LEPs on low carbon/green innovation, green infrastructure, stimulation of supply chains and green low carbon clusters.

New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership is leading on a Green Economy pathfinder in the Norfolk and Suffolk areas. Further details are available for download.

Contact to be added shortly.

DECC

DECC has developed a online source of information for LEPs on a local approach to issues relating to energy and climate change: Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs): The economic case for fighting climate change

Specific advice for LEPs who wish to lead renewable and low carbon energy projects and strategies is provided by Community Energy Online.

Financial Data Round Two

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:54:27 GMT

Union	Project Title	Final Amount of Grant Paid
Accord and Amicus (now part of Unite)	Developing Union Reps with Partnership Framework	£136,751.50
Amicus (now part of Unite)	Workplace Equality Reps Development Project	£179,868.00
ASPECT	The Next Generation Modernising Communications for Trade Unions in the 21st Century	£9,185.60
Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL)	Developing Effective and Representative Lay Structures	£79,774.10
Bakers, Food and Allied Workers (BFAWU)	Modernising our Organisation	£35,962.30
Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union (BECTU)	BECTU; the Networked Union	£200,000
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and 6 Other Unions	Collaborative Working: Feasibility Study & Implementation Plans	£40,160
Communication Workers Union (CWU)	Youth Empowerment Strategy	£65,377.11
Communication Workers Union (CWU)	Deconstructing Equality Barriers Through Union Learning Through Union Learning	£27,835.57
Community	Community Trade Unionism and the NEC -Contributing to Union Modernisation	£23,151
Equity	Get in on the Act – Increasing Participation Among Equity Members	£60,661.56
FDA	FDA Integrated Membership System and Website	£125,274
General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU) and Connect (now part of Prospect)	A New Agenda for Equality in the Workplace; Training for Equality Reps	£112,544.64
General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU)	Trade Union Leadership and Development	£107,439
GMB	Developing Modern Management Methods in the GMB	£105,311.24
Musician's Union (MU)	Managing Change: Transforming our Traditional Structures	£47,498
National Union of Schoolmasters, Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT)	Support for Overseas Trained Teachers in London and the South East	£38,481.08
National Union of Teachers (NUT)	Fairer Futures: Putting Equality Opportunities at the Heart of NUT Local Structures	£83,870.46
Nautilus	Lay & Full Time Officials Training Course	£33,841.37
Prospect	Building capacity within Defence Sector to Develop & Sustain Prospect Equality Reps	£74,464.79
Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)	Equality Representatives Training, Development & Support Programme	£105,557.35
Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS)	Mentoring for Women Reps	£14,000.96
Trade Union Congress (TUC)	Green Workplaces	£153,802.83
Trade Union Congress (TUC)	Training and evaluating union equality reps	£92,546.42
Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) now part of Unite	T&G21: Modernising Management and Training	£185,428.62
Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA)	Underpinning Equalities: Capacity Building & Beyond	£61,999*
Union Construction, Allied Trade & Technicians (UCATT)	Managing Change Modernising Our Capacity to Respond, Develop Effective Partnerships and Engage with Members	£44,950.98
Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW)	Developing Competent and Confident Managers	£150,987.18
Unison	Virtual Branches Proposal	£83,707.00
Unison	Migrant Workers Participation Project	£188,807.00
Unison	Establishing Equality Reps in Unison	£118,624.10

Institutions proposed for inclusion as Listed Bodies

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:33:37 GMT

8 February 2012

Listed below are UK institutions which recognised bodies advise meet the Department’s eligibility criteria for inclusion as listed bodies, prior to further changes to the current Listed Bodies statutory instrument.

The Department for Business Innovation and Skills proposes including these institutions in the next update to the Listed Bodies statutory instrument and the online list.

Please note that access to the links below may take a few seconds.

Access to Music Ltd

Blake Hall College

British College of Osteopathic Medicine

Centre for Teaching in Management

London School of Management and Science

Meridian Business School

Newbold College of Higher Education

Open College of The Arts

QA Business School

School of Business and Law

South London Christian College

The Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme (STETS)

Recognised bodies

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:48:14 GMT

Search alphabetically

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U W Y

A-Z of recognised bodies

All recognised bodies

Changes in titles or powers of institutions

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:37:20 GMT

1 February 2012

Listed here are details of recent changes in the titles or powers of recognised UK institutions prior to the next update of the Recognised Bodies statutory instrument and Listed Bodies statutory instrument.

On 1 January 2012, The School of Pharmacy, University of London merged with University College London to become The UCL School of Pharmacy.

On 1 November 2011, University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) changed its name to Cardiff Metropolitan University.

On 1 August 2011, both Newcastle College and New College Durham further education colleges were granted Foundation Degree Awarding Powers.

On 14 June 2011, New Hall college in the University of Cambridge changed its title and will now be commonly known as Murray Edwards College.

On 25 January 2011, UHI Millennium Institute was granted university title and is now the University of the Highlands and Islands. Further information on Scottish institutions can be obtained from the Scottish Government.

On 18 November 2010, Trinity University College (formerly Trinity College Carmarthen) merged with University of Wales Lampeter under the new name University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Further information on Welsh institutions can be obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Business Improvement

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:58:27 GMT

We are changing the way we help businesses to improve and grow.

We know that small businesses who take advice do better, so we have transformed the information and advice available to them online. In November 2011, we launched a new set of services which are available on the Business Link website. These include new tools to help businesses work through common business issues and information about local events.

The website now provides a comprehensive start-up service through the “My New Business” section. This brings together all the information people need when thinking about starting-up or running a business. It also provides access to a range of services to make it easier for businesses to register for VAT, PAYE and notify Companies House.

A helpline is also available to support people who cannot find what they need on the website or who are unable to/have difficulty accessing the internet.

We have facilitated the development of a wide network of business mentors. Through www.mentorsme.co.uk, sponsored by the British Bankers Association, businesses can access and learn from other experienced business people.

A new programme, Business Coaching for Growth, will target SME businesses with high growth potential, providing coaching to help them overcome barriers to growth and connecting them to knowledge, finance and other networks. The new programme will roll out from early 2012.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay informed of developments.

Can you help us to tell others of these changes? Try our tool-kit.

More information setting out Government policy to help businesses is set out in our publication Bigger, better business: helping small firms start, grow and prosper.

The Business Link regional advisory service formally closed on 25th November 2011. Further information is available on the Business Link website or the Business Link helpline number of 0845 600 9 006.

We have also published an Equality Impact Assessment, which assesses the potential impact of the changes on certain groups of people.

Enterprise & Business Support

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:37:40 GMT

BIS's Enterprise Directorate has specialist expertise in policies to both strengthen the enterprise environment for small businesses and to enable more people and communities to set up in business. The Enterprise Directorate's policy work is supported by a strong research, statistical and analytical function (Analytical Unit) , and it maintains international links, especially with other EU member states and with the United States.

Supporting Business

The Enterprise Directorate aims to boost enterprise, start ups and small business growth by helping small and medium businesses to start and thrive through:

Improved access to finance.
A more positive business environment which supports growth and ease of starting a business, and where new businesses and economic opportunities are more evenly shared between regions and industries.
A major programme to reform the way that people running a business get the information, guidance and support they need to start and grow a business
Building a more entrepreneurial culture, equipping people with the skills and ambition to start a business.
Recognising and celebrating successful business through the Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

Business advice is currently provided through the BusinessLink web site.

Grant for Business Investment

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:34:57 GMT

Please note that the scheme closed for new applications from 1 February 2011, except for large exceptional projects and applications to DECC from offshore wind equipment manufacturers.

What is GBI?

GBI is a discretionary scheme that provides a capital grant to businesses to support sustainable investment in England. Its aim is to help businesses expand, rationalise, modernise or diversify.

What are large exceptional projects?

Large projects are those in which the grant being sought is £2m or more.

Exceptional projects are those which either:

mitigate or avoid a significant downturn in the local labour market; or
address a significant market failure.

To meet the first criterion a project must show that it is providing an appropriate response to a downturn in the local labour market that is demonstrably significant. The downturn could be the result of an isolated local closure, or the local impact of a UK-wide trend. The assessment of whether a local labour market downturn is significant will be made on a case by case basis using labour market statistics and comparison with previous cases. In order to be considered exceptional, a project must both have a demonstrably large impact on the local labour market and provide an appropriate response to specific local labour market conditions, such as avoiding structural unemployment by safeguarding jobs or addressing an existing and persistent skills mismatch through job creation and/or training.

A market failure is when the market, by itself, does not lead to an economically efficient outcome. Addressing a market failure in the context of GBI will include generating benefits such as R+D spillovers, skills enhancement or others that have wider value but which may not directly benefit the applicant. Whether a market failure is significant will be determined case by case, based on the information provided by the applicant and our own analysis.

Do I qualify for the funding from DECC to support offshore wind equipment manufacturers?

This information is available from the DECC website.

What other criteria apply?

GBI is only open to businesses investing in an English Assisted Area. If you are unsure whether you are in an Assisted Area, use our post code checker.
Most manufacturing businesses are eligible to apply, as are businesses in service industries that supply a national rather than local market. Applicants can be companies, partnerships or sole traders.
European Commission restrictions apply in some sectors, including synthetic fibres, shipbuilding, steel, coal, fisheries and some agricultural products.

How much is available?

This depends on the needs of the project and its impact on productivity and skills. Successful businesses typically receive around 10-15% of a project's total eligible capital expenditure but support can vary widely either side of these figures depending on the need and quality of the project.

How do I find out more?

• Detailed Guidelines covering the scheme are here: Grant for business investment: guidelines (PDF, 839KB).

How can I apply?

• There are links to the application form and the supporting financial appendices here:

Grant for business investment: application form (PDF, 3673KB)

Grant for business investment: financial appendices to application form (PDF, 352KB)

Potential applicants are advised to contact BIS (Pam Creais) to check their eligibility before submitting an application.

Other forms of support?

Solutions for Business is a wide portfolio of targeted, publicly funded business support products and services that can be accessed via the business support finder on the BL web site. A range of products and services are available and are designed to help qualifying English businesses grow and succeed.

The Regional Growth Fund is a new £1.4bn three year fund that will operate across England to stimulate private sector led sustainable economic growth and employment.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:08:48 GMT

Child Protection and Safeguarding

Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 places a statutory duty on further education institutions to promote the safety and welfare of children receiving education or training at their institution.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 places additional requirements on colleges and regulated activity providers in respect of child protection and the welfare of vulnerable adults, including an obligation to refer relevant information to the Independent Safeguarding Authority. Regulations require colleges to carry out specified checks on teaching staff and keep a proper record of those checks.

The Government is proposing to scale back the existing vetting and barring/criminal records regime to 'more common-sense levels' and their proposals are set out in the Protection of Freedoms Bill.

Related Links

Legislation

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/

Guidance

Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education - https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFES-04217-2006

Safer Practice, safer learning (vulnerable adults) -
http://shop.niace.org.uk/safer-practice.html

Please note that some aspects of both these sets of guidance are out of date and you are advised to supplement them with additional information by following the links to the organisations below:

Organisations

The Independent Safeguarding Authority - http://www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk

The Criminal Records Bureau - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/crb/

LSIS - http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/safeguarding

DfE - http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/safeguarding

Apprenticeships

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:47:45 GMT

As employees, apprentices work alongside experienced staff to gain job specific skills. Off the job, usually on a day release basis, apprentices receive training with a local training provider such as a college.

They work towards a work based qualiﬁcation such as a National Vocational Qualiﬁcation (NVQ) and other nationally recognised qualiﬁcations.

There are over 180 different career choices on offer in 80 different sectors.

Growth in apprenticeship numbers

Provisional figures published on 27 October 2010 show that apprenticeships starts for 2010/11 have significantly risen to 442,700. Numbers have risen across all age ranges and levels of training.

Press Notice: Cable welcomes big rise in apprenticeship numbers: 27 October 2011

Apprenticeship Measures

As part of its Plan for Growth, the government announced measures in November 2011 to ensure more young people benefit from an apprenticeship and to make it easier for employers to take on apprentices.
These include:

incentive payments for small companies taking on their first apprentice aged 16-24 which will be available from April 2012
streamlined processes for employers
renewed focus on younger adults, new employees, higher level qualifications, and specific sectors which deliver greatest impact
apprenticeship providers to offer training in English and maths up to the standard of a good GCSE (intermediate) for all apprenticeships
external review into the standards and quality of apprenticeships, which will report in 2012.

Press Notice: Apprenticeships: Cable guarantees quality, slashes red tape and delivers cash boost for firms: 16 November 2011

Press Notice: PM: £250m pilot to give employers power over skills training

Higher Apprenticeship Fund

The Government announced 19,000 new Higher Apprenticeship to deliver skills for growth on 1 December 2011. The Higher Apprenticeship Fund of £18.7m will support this development, enabling employers, colleges and universities to deliver the advanced skills most critical for growth.

Employers will have the opportunity to be for a second round of funding early in 2012.

Press Release: 19,000 new higher apprenticeships to deliver skills for growth: 1 December 2011
Further information: Apprenticeship Fund

Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week takes place from 6-10 February 2012. This is an opportunity for everyone with an interest in apprenticeships to get involved. There will be a number of regional events taking place across the country.

Further information: Apprenticeship Week

Apprenticeships Awards

Apprenticeships Awards have been designed to recognise and reward both employers and apprentices.

The employer category is for those who are successfully using apprenticeships to improve their business performance and tackle skills shortages.

The apprentice category is for those whose contribution to the workplace has exceeded their employers’ expectations and resulted in measurable benefits or who have overcome difficulties to succeed through their apprenticeship.

The national winners were announced on 29 June 2011.

Further information: Apprenticeships Awards

Apprenticeships Standards

The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) published on 20 January 2011 sets out the minimum requirements to be included in a recognised English framework. Compliance with the SASE is a statutory requirement of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning (ASCL) Act. This is the first statutory SASE. It will be brought into effect by order issued by the Secretary of State.

Press Notice: New quality guarantee for apprenticeships, 20 Jan 2011

Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE)

Employer Ownership Pilot

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:47:24 GMT

The Employer Ownership pilot offers all employers in England direct access to up to £250 million of public investment over the next two years to design and deliver their own training solutions. The pilot is jointly overseen by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department for Education and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

On 7 February, the Prime Minister launched the Employer Ownership pilot prospectus inviting employers to develop bids for the pilot fund.

Information on the pilot is available at: www.ukces.org.uk/employerownership.

Digital skills

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:44:09 GMT

To take part fully in today's society, everyone needs the skills to use the internet. Getting people online is the key aim of Martha Lane Fox, the Government's Digital Champion. Manifesto for a Networked Nation sets out the challenge to government, industry and charities of getting the 8 million people who are digitally excluded online.

BIS fully supports this work, and has funded UK Online centres to help people learn the basics to get online. Online Basics is a short, free course which covers how to use a keyboard and mouse and will help you search and explore the internet, keep in touch with email, stay safe online and, how to get the best out of government services online. It also has a range of easy courses and useful resources from the likes of the BBC and Digital Unite to help you develop your skills. Online Basics can be done at home with the help of friend or family in a UK Online Centre, or in any learning provider. Online Basics is also a fundable qualification on the Qualifications and Credit Framework at entry level three.

Over 313,000 people have completed Online Basics since 2010. The vast majority found it useful and easy to use (97 per cent), whilst many people used it to progress to further learning (60 per cent).

There are various campaigns each year to help specific groups get online, such as Spring Online for older learners and Get Online Week the largest digital inclusion event, with over 3000 events across the country.

Postal services sector

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:24:50 GMT

* Latest News *

3 February 2012 - Norman Lamb appointed Employment Relations and Postal Affairs Minister
24 January 2012 - Future of Post Office is secure

Green Construction Board

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:08:58 GMT

Government and industry is building on the work of the Low Carbon Construction IGT and working collaboratively through the “Green Construction Board” (GCB) to drive forward the actions set out in the Low Carbon Construction Action Plan. The full Terms of Reference of the group are available for download.

Green Construction Board: Working in Partnership with Industry to Provide a Platform for Green Growth

Grasping the opportunities for growth presented by a sustainable construction, infrastructure and property sector is the main priority for the newly formed Green Construction Board.

The Board, co-chaired by Business Minister Mark Prisk and Chief Executive of Lend Lease, EMEA Dan Labbad, is focused on taking a unified approach to the problems facing the industry, providing strategic leadership on key issues and identifying steps to promote the UK's excellence in green construction. The Board will also work to promote the message that a ‘green’ construction sector can lead to business opportunities and economic growth.

Purpose

As well as monitoring the delivery of this Action Plan, the Board is also updating and refreshing actions going forward and takes collective responsibility for leading the change to a low carbon economy. The Green Construction Board will look more widely at green property and construction issues, encompassing priority activities of the Sustainable Construction Strategy.

Membership

The membership of the Green Construction Board represents both Government and senior representatives from industry and is jointly chaired by the Minister for Business & Enterprise, Mark Prisk MP, who will act as the Government co-Chair together with Dan Labbad, CEO of Lend Lease, EMEA. DECC, Defra, DCLG, Cabinet Office and BIS are among the key Departments represented on the Group. A full membership list is available for download.

Green Construction Board Working Groups

The Green Construction Board has established 7 Working Groups to ensure the delivery of a comprehensive programme of activity. A “Sponsor” and a Chair have been appointed to lead each of these groups. A full list of groups and their Sponsors and Chairs is available for download.

Meetings

The Green Construction Board has already held two meetings, on the October 24th 2011 and January 26th 2012.

Next Steps

Future meetings for 2012 are scheduled to be held on:

Monday 30th April
Thursday 12th July
Thursday 8th November.

For more information, please contact: green.board@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Regional Growth Fund

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:23:26 GMT

The Chancellor announced in his Autumn Statement (November 2011) that “the Government will increase the Regional Growth Fund for England by £1 billion, and extend it into 2014–15, to provide ongoing support to grow the private sector in areas currently dependent on the public sector.”

The following pages will explain what the fund is, who has successful bid for RGF so far and details of what is happening next.

How to apply

The application process for the Regional Growth Fund is currently closed.

In December, Nick Clegg announced that the next round of bidding for RGF will open in February. We will keep this site updated with all the information you will need to bid, as soon as round three opens.

Please see our How to apply section to review existing bidding guidance.

Need some help?

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions for answers to the most common queries regarding the Fund or use our contacts section to find local help for your queries.

Government evidence to the Low Pay Commission

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:15:54 GMT

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

Government evidence to the Low Pay Commission on the economic effects of the national minimum wage (PDF, 649KB)

2006

2005

Government evidence to the Low Pay Commission on the National Minimum Wage - Nov 2005 (PDF, 406KB)

2004

Government evidence to the Low Pay Commission - November 2004 (PDF 370KB)

2003

Enforcement and market surveillance

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:30:46 GMT

BIS has responsibility for co-ordinating the Market Surveillance (and CE Marking) aspects of two of the three new EU measures relating to Community Harmonisation Legislation for products that are sometimes referred to as the “Goods Package”:

A directly applicable EC Regulation, EC/765/EC that sets out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products and repealing Regulation EEC 339/93.

A Decision, EC/768/2008 on a common framework for the marketing of products and repealing Decision 93/465/EEC is a toolbox of other regulatory provisions for legislators when revising existing or drafting future Community harmonisation legislation for products.

The third measure is a directly applicable EC Regulation, EC/764/2008 that lays down procedures relating to the application of certain technical rules to products lawfully marketed in another Member State and repealing Decision 3052/95/EC. It is often referred to as the Mutual Recognition Regulation. The European & International Trade Directorate (EITD) is responsible in BIS for this measure.

The Regulation on Accreditation and Market Surveillance (often referred to by its acronym – “RAMS”) applies from 1 January 2010. Although as a European Regulation, it is directly applicable as law in the UK and other Member States, it requires BIS to fulfil a programme of work for the UK to be compliant with its provisions, and this work is underway.

The Regulation will establish a European Framework for Accreditation – the process of ensuring the competence of bodies concerned with conformity assessment of goods and services e.g. product certification systems or the certification of management systems or which perform inspection or calibration . The Regulation also spells out what Member States must do to fulfil their obligations to ensure that only compliant goods are allowed onto the market (“Market Surveillance”). These obligations include having authorities in place with the ability to deal with non-compliance and the development of a National Market Surveillance Programme. Please see the NMSP paper and Annexes in the related documents section on the right. Those bodies must also co-operate with other Member State authorities and with the Commission. There are also provisions on Border Controls in regard to products from non-EU sources, and new financial provisions. The Regulation also specifies general principles for the proper affixing of the well-known “CE Marking” required by certain very important pieces of EU product legislation – “New Approach” legislation.

The Decision is a serious policy commitment by the European Commission, the Member States and the European Parliament to adopt its provisions in sectoral Community Harmonization Legislation on products when it is subsequently revised (unless the sectors can demonstrate a strong need for departing from them).

The Decision aims to develop a consistent policy framework for such future legislation that includes: harmonised provisions on procedures for conformity assessment; harmonised procedures notifying the EU of the appointment of independent bodies that undertake certain of those conformity assessment procedures (“Notified Bodies”); harmonised provisions on the duties of everyone in the product supply chain from manufacturer to distributor; harmonised definitions; and certain rules and conditions for affixing CE marking.

The measures are very wide in scope and are of major importance to the Internal Market.

We initiated a 12-week Consultation on 9 March 2007 which closed on 1 June 2007. This sought the views and information on the likely effects of the original Commission proposals. An independent firm of consultants carried out a UK Impact Assessment on our behalf (please see link in related documents).

Latest News

The European Commission have recently published, following agreement with Member States representatives, the general part of their Guidelines for import controls in the area of product safety and compliance on their website. The EC consider that the most effective way to avoid the placing of unsafe or not conforming products imported from third countries on the EU market is to carry out adequate checks during the import control process. This requires involvement of customs and proper cooperation between Customs and Market Surveillance authorities.

Therefore, EC have developed in 22 languages Guidelines for import controls in the area of product safety compliance as a tool to help customs to facilitate this task and to ensure a common approach at EU level.

You can find the Guidelines, and the positive list and negative list of specific pieces of legislation, on the related links on the right hand side of this page.

Contacts

All enquiries relating to the information shown on this webpage should be sent to Product Regulation .

Finance Fitness

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:26:09 GMT

Led by BIS, Finance Fitness aims to get Government and businesses working together more effectively to ensure small and medium sized businesses find it easier to:

Access information about business finance.
Improve their financial planning.
Make the strongest possible case to potential investors.

The campaign will cover the following themes:

Cash-flow management, tips on how to secure prompt payment and maintaining a good credit score.
Choosing and accessing finance, including alternative sources of finance and tips for successfully accessing it.
Finance for growth, including equity investment and export finance.

Why Finance Fitness?

Having the right finances in place, and planning financial matters before they reach crisis point, are critical to any successful business. Yet research demonstrates that many small and medium sized businesses would benefit from help and support in this area:

Only 25% of small businesses consider themselves strong at accessing external finance.
15% didn’t apply for finance despite wanting it.
Only 20% seek advice before applying for a loan.
Only one in three has a business plan.
Four out of five financial decision makers have no formal training in financial matters.

What’s happening

BusinessLink is showcasing the full range of advice and guidance available. The new improved site includes interactive tools, video case studies, and an events finder.

The Finance Fitness campaign is drawing Government and the private sector together- providing advice from Government but also highlighting private sector support. For example Government is pleased to support free resources for SMEs such as ICAEW’s Business Advice Service (free initial consultations with an Accountant), Finance workshops run by Intuit, and free cash-flow advice provided by the Institute of Credit Management.

Get involved

Get Paid! , a new guide for small businesses which contains tips and advice from both suppliers and customers, is published by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). It contains valuable lessons from small businesses such as advice on invoicing and developing a well-defined credit policy.

Businesses can access resources directly from the Business Link website. Businesses can also access the ICM's Credit Management Guides, produced in association with BIS, here.

If you’re an accountant, mentor, business advisor, or trade body you can access a range of resources - including material you can re-use for your clients or members here. For example, re-usable versions of the Credit Management guides referenced above can be found here, and can be adapted to an organisation's house style for internal distribution if desired. (Commercial use is not permitted, and the body of the text and associated credits should not be altered).

Government is encouraging all organisations who can provide advice or guidance to get involved with the campaign. Find out more about how to do this on the resources page

Campaign launch

The Prime Minister and Business Secretary Vince Cable joined industry experts on 10 November to discuss how to make sure UK businesses are being supported to survive and grow.

The 400 business trade and advisory bodies attending explored the obstacles faced by small and medium sized businesses in seeking and accessing the finance they need, and got involved in panel discussions where small businesses discussed their experiences. At the event SoS issued a challenge to the business community to get involved in the finance fitness campaign.

The debates, facilitated by School for Startups Founder and former Dragon’s Den Doug Richard, covered topics preparing for finance, finding finance, opportunities for growth.

FTSE350 Published Targets

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 17:42:16 GMT

FTSE100	Company	2013	2015
1	Admiral Group PLC		25 %
2	Anglo American PLC	30%
3	Aviva	25%
4	BAE Systems PLC		25%
5	Barclays PLC	20%	25%
6	BHP Billiton PLC	25%
7	BP PLC	25%
8	BSKYB	25%	25%
9	Centrica PLC		25%
10	ENRC		20%
11	G4S		25%
12	GKN		25%
13	Glaxosmithkline PLC	25%
14	HSBC Holdings PLC		25%
15	Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC		25%
16	Kingfisher PLC		25%
17	Land Securities Group PLC		25%
18	Lloyds Banking Group PLC		30%
19	Marks & Spencer	30%	30%
20	Morrison Supermarkets PLC		30%
21	National Grid PLC		25%
22	Old Mutual PLC	18%	27%
23	Petrofac Ltd	15%	25%
24	Reed Elsevier	22%
25	Rexam PLC		25%
26	Rolls-Roycs Holdings PLC		30%
27	Royal Bank of Scotland Group	25%
28	Royal Dutch Shell PLC		25%
29	Sage Group PLC	25%	25%
30	Sainburys		25%
31	Smith & Nephew PLC		25%
32	Tesco PLC		25%
33	Tullow Oil		25%
34	Unilever PLC		25%
35	Vodafone Group PLC		25%
36	Wolseley		25%

Table 2:

FTSE250	Company	2013	2015
1	Dignity PLC		25%
2	Domino's Pizza Uk & IRL PLC	20%	20%
3	Euromoney Institutional Investor PLC		13%
4	Fidelity China special situations PLC		25%
5	Go-ahead Group PLC	17%	17%
6	Informa PLC	14%	14%
7	Jupiter Fund Management PLC	20%	20%
8	Mondi PLC	25%	25%
9	Pennon Group PLC	14%	25%
10	Phoenix Group Holdings	14%	21%
11	Premier Farnell PLC	25%	25%
12	Redrow PLC		33%
13	Rentokill Initial PLC	20%	20%
14	Rotork PLC	25%	25%
15	Senior PLC	15%	15%
16	SVG Capital PLC		25%
17	Stagecoach Group PLC	22%	22%
18	Taylor Wimpey PLC		25%
19	The Restaurant Group PLC	25%	25%
20	TUI Travel		25%
21	William Hill PLC		25%

Consumer Issues

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:52:05 GMT

Consumer advice

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) does not provide advice on individual consumer or competition problems or complaints, nor can it interpret legislation in individual cases. Instead, you could visit the following websites:

Consumer Direct for advice, fact sheets and sample letters of complaint (ConsumerLine for consumers in Northern Ireland)
Community Legal Advice (formerly CLS Direct) - free high-quality legal information in England and Wales
Consumer Focus - the statutory organisation campaigning for a fair deal for consumers
Rip-Off Tip-Off - designed to let consumers report, anonymously, traders who they think are ripping people off
Trading Standards Central for a list of product safety notices/recalls
UK European Consumer Centre for information and assistance in resolving cross-border disputes in the EU

Public bodies bill - Changes to the UK consumer and competition bodies

Statement by Vince Cable, Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Competition and consumer policy are both areas of vital importance for citizens, for business and for the economic growth on which we all depend. Empowered consumers and fair competition policy drive our competitive markets, which promote efficiency and innovation in business. Britain’s competition policy regime is highly regarded but we are looking at ways to improve it further.

In particular, the Coalition Government is committed to saving public money wherever possible and rationalising the number of public bodies. I want to set out here how we intend to preserve, and where possible enhance, front-line delivery of consumer and competition policy, while streamlining the landscape and saving public money.

As things stand the competition framework involves a number of specialised bodies with detailed but overlapping roles. Each of these bodies does a very good job and is highly regarded globally. But the institutional boundaries between them can impose costs and uncertainty for business and may reduce the efficiency of, in particular, the markets regime. Meanwhile, consumers are represented by a bewildering array of public, private and voluntary bodies, sometimes duplicating each other in their efforts to inform, educate and advise consumers of their rights.

My Department, working with the Treasury and other key stakeholders, has conducted a thorough review of this complex and confusing landscape. Our aim is to create a simpler structure with a single competition authority and a stronger role for front-line consumer services.

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I am minded to merge the Competition Commission and the competition and markets investigation functions of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to create a single, streamlined expert competition and markets authority. This new body would have greater effectiveness and efficiency to investigate mergers, markets, cartels and anti-competitive practices. It would also retain the function of independent market investigation and analysis, which cuts across the consumer and competition spheres...

I am also considering whether to abolish the Competition Service and transfer its functions of supporting the Competition Appeal Tribunal to the Tribunal Service. With Ken Clarke, I am reviewing the case for doing this...

In terms of consumer issues, I believe that we should have a model that strengthens the front line while cutting down the complexity, confusion and waste, which accompanies the proliferation of bodies.

Currently, enforcement of general consumer law is shared between the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and Trading Standards. Consumer complaints are handled by a constellation of sector-specific bodies, by the Citizens Advice service and by the dedicated helpline Consumer Direct, which is operated by OFT. Research and advocacy work is done by OFT, Consumer Focus and in some regulated sectors there are a number of specific consumer bodies. Information and education provision is split between all of these bodies I have outlined.

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We have identified two groups to be at the centre of our plans for a better model for the consumer landscape. The first is the Citizens Advice service, which includes Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, charitable bodies consisting of a network of local bureaux supported by a central guidance, policy and social advocacy function. The second is Trading Standards, which are part of local authorities and provide the vast majority of on-the-ground enforcement of consumer law. They also undertake local education initiatives.

Both these groups have high public awareness and trust levels. I am therefore minded to shift almost all relevant central Government funding for consumer bodies towards these two groups in order to achieve the changes set out below.

In our proposed new regime, Trading Standards will be given responsibility for enforcement of almost all consumer law. Local threats to fair trading will continue to be handled at local authority level. But national and regional threats will now increasingly also be addressed through one or more dedicated, expert teams, within Trading Standards with work co-ordinated nationally for this purpose. Specific arrangements may need to be made in Scotland and Wales.

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This approach chimes with the Government’s Localism agenda, should lead to significant efficiency savings and is a potential model for integrating local and national funding for regulatory enforcement in other areas.

In addition to these measures, I propose that responsibility for all non-financial consumer education, information and advice, and notably the Consumer Direct helpline, will transfer to the Citizens Advice service. I believe there is scope for other Government advice and information services also to become part of the Citizens Advice service, to reinforce a simple message to consumers – if you need information or advice, go to Citizens Advice.

I also propose to transfer most of the consumer-related research and advocacy functions, currently undertaken by OFT and Consumer Focus, to the Citizens Advice service. This would include work on strategic and forward-looking policy issues.

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Employment Matters

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:48:49 GMT

Guidance on your rights and responsibilities

If you employ people visit businesslink.gov.uk for practical support on your responsibilities as an employer.

businesslink.gov.uk employment and skills guidance

If you would like help or advice on your rights at work, visit Directgov for simple, straightforward information.

Directgov employment guidance

Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate

Find out about the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) is, what their remit is, and how to contact them.

Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate

EMAR (Employment Market Analysis and Research)

Employment Market Analysis and Research (EMAR) publications, reports and research, including background to the Workplace Employment Relations Survey.

EMAR (Employment Market Analysis and Research)

Employment rights

Details and policy background to of some of the employment rights areas.

Employment rights

Employment policy and strategy

Details of the topics relating to policy and strategy.

Employment policy and strategy

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Citizens Advice

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:08:33 GMT

BIS is responsible for promoting and sponsoring the work of the Citizens Advice Service through its funding of the umbrella bodies: Citizens Advice (CitA) in England and Wales and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) on behalf of all Government Departments.

The Citizens Advice Service in Northern Ireland is an independent organisation funded separately by the Department for Social Development.

Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland are independent organisations and registered charities. Their role is to:

support, develop and lead the service by setting, maintaining and monitoring standards in bureaux
providing information and advice to bureaux
training bureau staff and volunteers
supporting and developing bureaux services
through client and case analysis, feeding back to policy makers and others across government trends in social policy

Each Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is a separate registered charity operating independently, and funded mainly by the local authority in which they are located. They are not funded by central government.

There are 484 bureaux throughout the UK:

382 in England and Wales
80 in Scotland
22 in Northern Ireland

In addition to main bureau offices, advice is delivered in a multitude of settings including in local GP surgeries, community centres, libraries, magistrates courts and hospitals – in total over 3,800 locations across the UK.

Contact details for local CAB’s are usually listed in local telephone directories but can also be found by visiting the CitA or CAS web sites.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Who funds my local Citizens Advice Bureau?

Each local bureau is an independent registered charity that receives funding from a variety of sources, but their core funding usually comes from the local authority in which the bureau is located based on local needs and priorities.

Q2. Why doesn't Central Government fund my local Citizens Advice Bureau?

Each bureau provides a service that is geared towards the needs of local people with many actively working in partnership with public and other voluntary organisations to respond to the needs of their communities, helping to promote social regeneration through helping individuals and building stronger communities.

Q3. What do I do if I have a complaint against my local CAB?

CitA, CAS and individual bureaux have well established complaints procedures. A free leaflet explaining the procedure should be available in local bureaux. Alternatively more details can be found by visiting either the CitA (for England and Wales) or CAS (for Scotland) websites.

Q4. What about Northern Ireland?

The CAB Service in Northern Ireland is not funded by BIS. The contact details for the service in Northern Ireland are:
Citizens Advice Regional Office
46 Donegall Pass
Belfast
BT7 1BS
Telephone: 028 9023 6522
Website: www.citizensadvice.co.uk

Enquiries: Issues about local authority funding in England and Wales should be referred to:

The Department for Communities and Local Government
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU
Helpline: 0303 444000
lgf@communities.gsi.gov.uk

Issues about local authority funding in Scotland should be referred to:

Scottish Government:
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ
Telephone: 0131 556 8400

Research Reports

In September 2010 BIS commissioned an independent value for money review of Citizens Advice (CitA) and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) to inform the CSR process.

The review looked at what activities Government needs to fund and which might be funded from other sources; whether Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland provide good value for money; and whether the ways in which they are governed are suitable for their needs. The review was carried out by Dr Bob Dobbie (see link below for full report).

Review of Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland

Product Safety

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:19:49 GMT

General Product safety regulations

General product safety is regulated by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 (GPS Regulations). They apply to all products (new and second-hand) used by consumers. Product-specific legislation continues to take precedence in areas where the provisions have similar objectives to the GPS Regulations.

The GPS Regulations maintain the general duty placed on producers and distributors to place on the market (or supply) only products that are safe in normal or reasonable foreseeable use. The principal responsibility for day-to-day enforcement of the Regulations lies with local authorities.

The GPS Regulations recognise certain technical standards as carrying a presumption of conformity with the general safety requirement, meaning that products that comply with them are deemed to be safe. An up-to-date list of European Standards is available on the European Commission Website

General guidance on product safety is available on Business Link - ensure your products are safe for employers and Directgov Consumer section.

The Department is responsible for regulations relating to cosmetics, lighters and other products and chemicals. For more information, visit our page on Product Regulations.

Rapid Alert System for non-food consumer products (RAPEX)

RAPEX is the EU rapid alert system for dangerous consumer products – with the exception of food, pharmaceutical and medical devices which are covered by other mechanisms.

It facilitates the rapid exchange of information between Member States and the Commission on measures to prevent or restrict the marketing or use of products posing a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers. Both measures ordered by national authorities and measures taken voluntarily by producers and distributors are reported by RAPEX.

How does RAPEX work?

When a product (eg a toy, childcare article or household appliance) is found to be dangerous, the competent national authority takes appropriate action to eliminate the risk. It can withdraw the product from the market, recall it, or issue warnings. The National Contact Point then informs the European Commission (Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection) about the product, the risks it poses to consumers and the measures taken by the authority to prevent risks and accidents.

The European Commission disseminates the information that it receives to the National Contact Points of all other EU countries. It publishes weekly overviews of dangerous products and the measures taken to eliminate the risks on the internet.

The National Contact Points in each EU country ensure that the authorities responsible check whether the newly notified dangerous product is present on the market. If so, the authorities take measures to eliminate the risk, either by requiring that the product be withdrawn from the market, by recalling it from consumers or by issuing warnings.

A weekly overview of the dangerous products reported by the national authorities (the RAPEX notifications) is published on the Commission Website.

Product recall

The Trading Standards Central web site contains a list of product safety notices and recalls.

If you are concerned about the safety of a product, make your concern clear to the retailer, manufacturer or local trading standards department.

If you are a producer or distributor of consumer products on sale in the European Union (EU), the attached guide gives you general advice about what you should do if you have evidence that one of your products may be unsafe. It is a voluntary guide to carrying out corrective actions for product safety, supported by the market surveillance authorities in Member States and consumer and trade organisations within the EU. Product Safety in Europe: A Guide to corrective action including recalls

Unsafe product notification

Producers and distributors have a duty to notify local authorities when they become aware they have placed on the market, or distributed, an unsafe product.

To make this process simpler a business application form has been designed. There are two parts:

the notification form - which the producer or distributor should fill in
the online database - used exclusively my the authorities of Member States to view and process notifications (in the case of the UK the National Contact Point for RAPEX at BIS)

Guidance and the form can be accessed on the EUROPA Website.

Local authority enforcers have a duty to inform BIS of products placed on the market that either present a:

serious risk in need of urgent intervention
non-serious risk requiring some intervention

Guidance for local authorities on informing BIS about products is available by following the links below:

About the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:50:25 GMT

Corporate documents

Historic data about the EAS can be viewed on the National Archives website.

Archived EAS content on the National Archives website

Professional and Supporting Bodies

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:30:09 GMT

If you would like a link to your professional or supporting body added, please contact Henna.Begum@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Professional Bodies

Supporting Bodies

Location

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:14:40 GMT

A total of 32 town and cities across the country have submitted self assessments in a bid to host the headquarters of the Green Investment Bank.

Submissions have been received from:

Bicester
Birmingham
Brighton
Bristol
Cardiff
Chester
Cornwall
Coventry and Warwickshire
Derby
Durham
Edinburgh
Gloucester
Hull
Ipswich
Leeds
Leicester
Liverpool
London
Manchester
Milton Keynes
Newcastle
Norwich
Nottingham
Peterborough
Renfrewshire
Sheffield
Southampton
Stoke-on-Trent
Sunderland
Tees Valley
Torbay
Warrington

The self assessment process was launched on 12 December 2011, after more than 20 locations across the UK indicated that they would be interested in hosting the bank.

Interested locations were asked to self-assess against the following criteria:

Ability to recruit and retain the specialist staff needed to run the organisation
Enabling the GIB to work closely with other parties involved in deals as well as other investment bodies, project developers and green technology providers
A location that provides good value for money, to ensure that the GIB is cost effective.

The deadline for receipt of documents was 30 January 2012. All submissions will now be reviewed against these criteria. A review panel has been established to perform this task. The panel comprises officials from BIS; our specialist recruitment consultants Odgers Berndtson; an official from Infrastructure UK (part of HM Treasury); and an official from the Government Property Unit.

Advice will then be put to the Secretary of State who will announce his final decision in late February, outlining the reasons informing his decision. The reasoned decision, along with all submissions received, will be published here.

More about the process:

Location of the Green Investment Bank: self assessment process

Summary of Export Control Guidance

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:08:50 GMT

Guidance on Businesslink website

As of March 2010, practical guidance information about export controls is published on the export control pages of the Businesslink website which covers:

Beginners Guide to Export Controls
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Export Licence Applications
Compliance and Enforcement
Types of Licences
Current Arms Embargoes and Other Restrictions
UK Strategic Export Control Lists

Department for Business/Export Control Organisation publications

Guidance on ITAR Rule Change on Dual and Third Country Nationals

Open General Licences

You can access links to current published versions of all Open General Licences. You can also find out from here how to access revoked OGLs.

Further background details about Open General Licences are published on the export control pages of the Businesslink website.

Control Lists

UK Military List: the UK military list of items that require export authorisation
- The current list was published on 31 August 2010.
UK Strategic Export Control List: The Consolidated List of Strategic Military and Dual Use Items that require export authorisation
- The current list was published on 17 January 2012.

For further background guidance about the UK Strategic Export Control Lists is available on the export control pages on the Businesslink website. This includes guidance on "How to determine if you need an export licence".

Forms

End-User Undertakings (required for export and trade licence applications)

End-User Undertaking (EUU) Form
End-User Undertaking Checklist
End-User Certificate Form for Chemical Weapons Convention Schedule 3 Chemicals to States Not Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention
OIEL Undertaking Template
Military Goods OGEL Undertaking Template

For further background guidance about end-user undertakings and end-use controls you need to read the guidance available on the export control pages on the Businesslink website about "End-User and Consignee Undertakings for SIELs and OIELs".

Forms required for export applications for firearms

Requirements as result of Iran Sanctions (Council Regulation (EC) No 961/2010) - Form to claim exemption from prohibition on export of Annex VI listed items

Notification for Iran Oil and Gas Contractual Exemption

Requirements as result of Syria Sanctions (Council Regulation (EU) No 36/2012) - Form to claim exemption from prohibition on export of Annex VI and VII listed items

Notification for Contractual Exemption of prohibited items supplied to Syria

Policy Documents

Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria

Export Control Organisation
Updated: 2 February 2012

Toolkit

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:45:42 GMT

This toolkit is designed for stakeholders, representative bodies and others who can help us communicate the changes to businesses.

It provides a collection of materials which you can use in your communications to tell businesses and others of the changes and where to go for information and advice. Further material will be added in the future as more announcements are made.

What's New?

Mark Prisk's interview with The Director magazine: Mentoring matters.

The PM launched on 23 January a new SME Campaign “Business in you” to inspire people to go for it and make this the “year of enterprise” – whether that is fulfilling their dream of starting a new business or taking the leap to grow their business, to employ more staff, or to start exporting .

The campaign page Business in you brings together and highlights the support available to businesses so they know where to get advice and help. It also showcases case studies of small firms who are thriving despite the prevailing economic conditions, and will guide small firms to the advice and support available to help them survive and grow – firms that seek advice are more likely to succeed.

Toolkit Content

Narrative for business (Word format) or listen Listen to Narrative for business
Helping business improve presentation
Business Link is changing leaflet - promotional documents to be printed and shared.
Mentorsme.co.uk brochure [NB This leaflet is designed to be printed A3 double sided and then folded to A5. The first pdf page needs to be folded in half, and then in half again. Pages are then as follows: Front cover: helping British businesses grow; Back cover : green block design, no text; Inside front cover: what mentoring can do for you; and Inside back cover: why launch a business mentor scheme. This then opens out to reveal the second pdf page, which is designed to be printed A3.]
Publicise your events and publically-funded business support services on Business Link

Audio

Inserted Object Code:soundcloud - business improvement toolkit audio

Insert End

Videos

Intro to my new business video - for those starting a business

Inserted Object Code:intro-to-my-new-business-video

Insert End

Growth and Improvement portal – for those wanting to grow their business

Inserted Object Code:youtube-growth-portal-jump-start

Insert End

Associated Press Notices

The mentoring scheme for British businesses (BBA Press Notice 4 July 2011)
Careline services to deliver Business Link helpline (BIS press notice 15 July 2011)
“Business in You” a partnership between private enterprise and Government, to highlight support for start-ups and growing businesses

To Get Involved

Sign up to the Business Improvement Programme Newsletter
Follow BIS, Businesslink.gov and Business in you on Twitter:
• http://twitter.com/bisgovuk
• www.twitter.com/BusinesslinkGov
• http://businessinyou.bis.gov.uk/

How to Book an Export Control Course

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:04:37 GMT

Cost

The cost per delegate of each export control training event is shown on the booking form (attached to the latest Training Bulletin). Payment will be invoiced after the event, but to reduce the problems we have had collecting payments a Purchase Order (PO) number must be provided before we can confirm attendance at your chosen event.

Alternatively you may pay by cheque, payable to “BIS”.

Note: We cannot accept payment by credit, debit or charge card.

Cancellation

Owing to the limited number of places available you will still incur a charge and will be invoiced accordingly if we have confirmed your place at the workshop and you have not cancelled the reservation in writing or by email at least 5 working days before the event date.

If the Export Control Organisation (ECO) has to cancel a training course or training event, any attendance fees already paid will be reimbursed without undue delay, or used as credit for a future course. However, as the ECO only makes a nominal charge for attendance on its training courses to cover its basic costs, any further claims on the part of the delegate are excluded.

Registration

If you wish to register, please complete the registration form attached to the latest ECO Training Bulletin and return it to:

Denise Carter
Awareness Co-ordinator
Export Control Organisation
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
Bay 360
1 Victoria Street
London, SW1H 0ET

Tel: 020 7215 4459
Fax: 020 7215 0531

E-mail : denise.carter@bis.gsi.gov.uk

By completing the form, we assume that you have read and understood the level of training on offer, that you know you will be charged for each event and that there are cancellation conditions.

Further details

Once you have submitted the registration form, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt within five working days. This will also indicate whether we have been able to reserve a place for you. This acknowledgement will be sent by e-mail so please ensure that you provide an accurate and clearly written e-mail address. Full details (comprising venue, timings and a full attendance list) of the course will be sent, again by e-mail, to those registered approximately two weeks before the course date. If you have registered to attend a course and have not received these details five working days before the course, please contact us.

Export Control Organisation

Updated: 31 January 2012

Events calendar (Export Control Academy courses)

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:02:45 GMT

Programme of scheduled UK Customer Export Control Awareness School courses

New courses are announced on a quarterly basis.

How to Book?

Complete the registration form attached to end of the latest ECO Training Bulletin and then email the ECO Awareness Team.

Further details about how to pay and our cancellation policy are available on the How to book an Export Control Course page. Background about the courses is published at UK Customer Export Control Awareness School.

Date	Event	Time	Venue	Cost
21 February 2012	Beginners Workshop	09.30 - 13.30 (1/2 day)	Taunton	£108
22 February 2012	Intermediate Seminar	09.30 - 16.30	Taunton	£150
1 March 2012	Control List Classification and Using the Checker Tools: Dual-Use Goods (limited to 10 delcegates)	09.30 - 16.30	London	£240
2 March 2012	Making Better Licence Applications	09.30 - 13.30 (1/2 day)	London	£108
8 March 2012	Control List Classification and Using the Checker Tools: Military Goods (limited to 10 delcegates)	09.30 - 16.30	London	£240
9 March 2012	Making Better Licence Applications	09.30 - 13.30 (1/2 day)	London	£108
13 March 2012	Beginners Workshop	09.30 - 13.30 (1/2 day)	London	£108
14 March 2012	Intermediate Seminar	09.30 - 16.30	London	£150
15 March 2012	Intermediate Seminar	09.30 - 16.30	London	£150
30 March 2012	Control List Classification and Using the Checker Tools: Dual-Use Goods (limited to 10 delegates)	09.30 - 16.30	London	£240

* Note: All courses in London are held at the Department for Business (BIS) Conference Centre at 1 Victoria Street.

All courses are subject to demand and may be cancelled if attendance levels are low. We reserve the right to refuse admission on any course.

Alternatively, we also provide bespoke training for companies. For details, contact Denise Carter, Awareness Co-ordinator on email: denise.carter@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Export Control Organisation

Updated: 31 January 2012

UK Customer Export Control Awareness School

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:01:00 GMT

Export Control Organisation (ECO) is committed to extending awareness and knowledge of export controls to all potential UK customers. This includes to industry, academia, intermediaries (such as law firms) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Our offerings comprise:

Providing a comprehensive programme of seminars and courses for industry. See a brief overview of our scheduled course offerings below.
To keep updated either view the Events Calendar or download the the latest ECO Training Bulletin.
Find out how to book an export control course.
Provision of on-site training on request to companies. Further details are provided below.
Selection of Online Databases and E-Learning Programmes. See more details about our Export Control E-Learning.
Introductory short film providing an overview of export controls. You can watch the film online by accessing our page on Export Control Films.

Bespoke Training

ECO can provide in-house, bespoke training at a company premises. This is for a minimum of 10 trainees.

We currently charge a flat rate of £500 + VAT (for half day) or £750 + VAT (for full day) on site training.

The cost covers the initial training event design, preparation of tailored presentation materials, presentation handouts for staff (where requested) and any necessary travel and accommodation costs.

For more information about this option please contact Denise Carter, ECO Awareness Co-Ordinator either by emailing: web.comments@bis.gsi.gov.uk or telephone: 020 7215 4459

Scheduled Training - Course Overviews

Beginners Workshop

This is a half-day workshop is intended to provide a general introduction to export control for those who are new to the subject or who only require a broad overview. This workshop is held approximately eight times a year, at regional venues as well as in London.

Intermediate Seminar

This is a full day event comprising a series of formal presentations. It is aimed at those who already have a basic knowledge of the controls and/or those who only require a broad overview. This workshop is held approximately eight times a year, at regional venues as well as in London.

Note: Although Beginners and Intermediate events are held on consecutive days at a particular venue we do not recommend attendance at both as the material covered is similar and their is a necessary degree of repetition. The intermediate course covers the same information as the beginners but goes into more detail on each topic. We recommend you think about what you need to achieve from the course before deciding which level is best suited.

Making Better Licence Applications

On this half-day workshop, attendees will be taken step-by-step through the licence application process on SPIRE (the ECO's licence application database). These workshops are held in London at approximately six week intervals.

Control List Classification and Use of the Checker Tools

This is a full-day workshop. The objective is to give attendees confidence in identifying control list entries that specify their products. It is aimed at those who already have some knowledge of the rating process - those who are not very familiar with export controls would benefit from attending a more general course first.

Note: Separate workshops are held on classifying military and dual-use goods Please ensure you register for the appropriate workshop.

These workshops are held in London at approximately six week intervals

Open Licence & Compliance Workshop

This full day workshop covers the use of both open general and open individual licences, including practical aspects of demonstrating compliance with those licences. The workshop is held annually in London.

Trade Control Seminar

This half day seminar covers the structure of the revised Trade Controls relating to the movement of military goods, types of goods and activities subject to control (including the provision of transport services), trade licences and compliance/enforcement. The seminar also covers the changes to controls on transhipment and goods in transit.

Exporting Cryptographic Products

This half day seminar focuses specifically on issues arising from the export of products (goods and software) with encryption capability and associated technology transfers. It covers issues such as rating of crypto products, including the interpretation of the Cryptography Note and other Notes to control entry 5A002, licensing of crypto products and specific record keeping, registration and compliance issues.

The course is delivered the active participation of the UK's National Technical Authority for Information Assurance (CESG, part of GCHQ).

Other Events

Other workshops and seminars which are held dependent on demand are:

Role of Other Government Departments

Export Control Organisation

Updated: 31 January 2012

UK Export Control Training and Skills Academy

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:59:25 GMT

The Export Control Organisation (ECO) is the UK’s regulatory authority responsible for issuing export licenses for military and ‘dual-use’ items.

Our purpose

Part of the ECO’s remit is to provide a package of export control training delivered by experienced staff.
We are committed to providing a comprehensive programme of seminars and workshops, online training and guidance to help exporters understand and comply with the law.

What we offer

Our training is aimed at different knowledge levels across industry, international governments and organizations as well as staff and partners and individuals.

More details of the 3 sections of the Academy are available from:

You can also find information on:

As a government service, we take learning and development seriously and are currently working towards the Customer Service Excellence standard (approved by the Cabinet Office).

Information on wider international trade events

For details of other events not provided by the UK Export Control Training & Skills Academy, you can access the International Trade Events page (available on the Businesslink website).

Last updated: 10 March 2011

Export Control Organisation

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:56:19 GMT

The ECO is responsible for legislating, assessing and issuing export, trade transhipment and trade control licences for specific categories of "controlled" goods. This encompasses a wide range of items including so-called dual-use goods, torture goods, radioactive sources, as well as military items. Whether a licence is required depends on various factors such as whether the items are listed on the UK Strategic Export Control Lists, subject to End-Use Controls or to sanctions.

If items exported from the United Kingdom are controlled, then a licence is needed to legally export. Exporters are responsible for complying with the law, understanding the regulations and keeping informed.

All licences applications are risk assessed on a case by case basis, with regard to the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. Licences are issued by the the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

Where to find out more about Export Controls

Export Control pages on the Businesslink website

Businesslink is the official site for business advice and support. This site now includes all practical guidance and advice aimed at businesses, intermediaries, individuals and academics who need to be aware of export licences issued by the Export Control Organisation. The guidance includes the Control Lists, information on arms embargoes, all current OGEL licences, compliance requirements, how to apply for a licence and the required documentation, details of advisory services and much more.

On this site (the Department of Business website), we publish the following:

Notices to Exporters
You can sign up to our email list to keep updated of export control matters.
UK Export Control Training & Skills Academy
Find out about the ECO's ongoing training programme to UK customers, overseas governments and staff and partners.
Export Control Policy and Consultations
Find out more about the background context to the ECO including information on the international export control regimes and any new policy consultations.

UK Export Control: "Promoting global security through strategic export controls, facilitating responsible exports"

^{Winner of the Better Regulation Award
at the The National Business Awards 2010}

Export Control Organisation

Updated: January 2012

About UK degree awarding bodies and UK degree course providers

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:10:03 GMT

Recognised bodies

The UK authorities recognise those institutions which have been granted degree awarding powers by either a Royal Charter, Act of Parliament or the Privy Council. These are known as 'recognised bodies'. All UK universities and some higher education colleges are recognised bodies.

See all institutions which are recognised by the UK authorities as having UK degree awarding powers.

You can see relevant statutory instrument on the legislation.gov.uk website: The Education (Recognised Bodies) (England) Order 2010

You can also download the current criteria required for institutions to be granted degree awarding powers and university title;

or download the English and Welsh criteria required for further education institutions to be granted foundation degree awarding powers (FDAPs). This criteria also has a supplementary companion guide and frequently asked questions.

Listed bodies

Other institutions, which do not have the power to award their own degrees, may provide full courses which lead to a degree of a Recognised Body. These are known as 'listed bodies'.

See all institutions which are recognised by the UK authorities as being able to offer courses leading to a degree of a recognised body.

You can see relevant statutory instrument on the legislation.gov.uk website: The Education (Listed Bodies) (England) Order 2010.

Download guidance on the eligibility for inclusion of an institution as a listed body.

All the degrees awarded by UK recognised bodies at their own institution or through listed bodies are recognised degrees.

Organisations on the above lists are permitted to award UK degrees or offer full provision that leads to a UK degree. Organisations that only offer part of a degree course are not listed. In such cases, enquirers are recommended to contact the degree awarding body to confirm that the course was originally set up by them. Degree awarding bodies not on our list of recognised bodies will not be awarding recognised UK degrees.

UK degrees document library

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:05:12 GMT

Guidance for organisations in England and Wales on applications for degree awarding powers and university title

Guidance and criteria to further education institutions on applications for foundation degree awarding powers

Companion guide for foundation degree awarding powers (FDAPs) applications

FDAPs frequently asked questions and answers

Guidance on the Department's criteria for inclusion of institutions as listed bodies

UK Green Investments team

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:24:53 GMT

Anthony Marsh

Tony began his banking career in 1983 and between 1994 and 2000 he was responsible for Deutsche Bank’s power project finance activities in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Thereafter, for seven years he was responsible for the EBRD’s activities in the power and gas distribution sector. Prior to joining UKGI, Tony worked for ContourGlobal, a power development company, being CEO of its CHP business.

Charles Abel Smith

Charles began his career in banking with Kleinwort Benson, in 1981. From 1994 to 1998 he worked in their PFI advisory team, before moving to BNP Paribas to lead the Bank’s activities in public/private finance.

Most recently, he led the public private partnership (‘PPP’) advisory practice at Arup. Charles’ focus for UKGI is in non-domestic energy efficiency, which is one of our key sectors.

Ian Nolan

Ian Nolan is an economist by academic training, and qualified as an accountant with Arthur Andersen in London before making his career in private equity at 3i, from 1987 to 2011.

Beginning in Manchester, Ian successively had responsibilities for 3i’s regional and then London activities, before being appointed as 3i’s first Chief Investment Officer in 2009.

Kenneth MacRitchie

Kenneth MacRitchie has been one of the leading project finance lawyers in the London market for many years. He has exceptionally broad experience in project finance, with a particular expertise in power projects.

He started his career in the city as a partner at Clifford Chance and has for the last 15 years been with Shearman & Sterling where he served on the executive group of the global firm and was managing partner of its London office for 6 years. He is currently acting on a part-time basis as UKGI’s General Counsel.

Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane has 24 years experience in project and structured Finance at three of the market’s leading institutions, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU) 2000-2011; Royal Bank of Scotland (including Nat West) 1987-91 and 1994-2000 and Deutsche Bank 1991-1994.

His experience stretches across all areas of structured and project finance, including Infrastructure, aircraft, shipping, oil and gas and predominantly, electricity, including offshore wind. Stephen is a Senior Adviser to the UKGI team.

Patricia Barata-Rodrigues

Patricia completed her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Cambridge University before joining Morgan Stanley’s London investment banking division in 2003.

She moved to Macquarie Capital in 2005, where she was involved in the origination, execution and management of infrastructure-related investments in the UK and Continental Europe, latterly Patricia held a board position for a Macquarie infrastructure business.

IDAB Board Members

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:21:57 GMT

Mark Seligman – IDAB Chairman

Mark Seligman is Senior Independent Director of Kingfisher plc. He is a non-executive Director of BG Group plc and Deputy Chairman of G4S plc. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse, he
previously worked for Chloride Group, SG Warburg and Credit Suisse, and is a graduate of Lincoln College, Oxford.

Nigel Brooksby

Nigel Brooksby is the Non Executive Chairman of Prism Pharma Limited and Chair of the Primary Care Cardiovascular Society. Prior to this, Nigel was Chairman & Managing Director of sanofi aventis UK and had overall responsibility for the group's activities within the UK. Nigel was also a member of the sanofi aventis European Management Committee. He has worked in the USA and UK for Pfizer.

He is a director of the biotechnology companies Varleigh Immuno Pharmaceuticals and Novacta Biosystems Limited and recently completed a term as Chairman of the European Medicines Group. He is Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Directors Club , a member of the Clinical Research Advisory Board at Imperial College and a past member of the CBI's President's Committee.

Nigel was made a Lifetime Honorary Member of the ABPI in recognition of his service to Life Sciences and his term of Office as President. He represents the Life Sciences on the Cogent Board and is the Chair of the Cogent Life Sciences Skills Strategy Board.

Simon Collins

Simon Collins is the global head of the Transactions and Restructuring practice of KPMG. Mr Collins has a background in investment banking (with SG Warburg and NatWest Markets) and in debt markets, particularly with large corporate loans and buy-outs.

Chris Higson

Chris Higson is a professor in accounting at London Business School, where he was the chair of the accounting group for some years. He holds degrees in philosophy and economics, and a doctorate in finance from London Business School. He qualified as a chartered accountant in London with what is now Deloitte. He specializes in financial performance and valuation, acquisitions, taxation, and governance and regulation. He is a regular commentator on these subjects on television, radio and in the international press, and has advised many leading financial and industrial companies.

Chris has written well over a hundred academic papers, books, and cases. His new book, Private Equity, will be published by Rivington in Summer, 2010. His recent thinking on the value of information to organizations is described in Valuing Information as an Asset, 2010. Much of his recent work examines financial performance around the business cycle and in recession.

William Lazarus

William Lazarus has over twenty years' experience of serving on the boards of private equity backed and publicly quoted companies all of whom have had operations in both the UK and overseas.

Charles Lochrane

Charles Lochrane is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has been a partner for 26 years and a proprietary partner for 20 years at Strutt & Parker, a large firm of Chartered Surveyors. In this role Charles has provided advice to institutional, corporate and private investors on the acquisition, asset management, development and disposal of commercial real estate investments.

Dermot Mathias

Dermot Mathias is a former Senior Partner of BDO LLP and a former Chairman of the Policy Board of BDO International LLP. He was also the firm's Head of Corporate Finance. He has extensive experience of advising public and private equity backed companies on both corporate strategy and individual transactions.

Paul Mullins

Paul Mullins is the Chief Executive of DC Advisory, a member of the Daiwa group. He formerly headed the European Global Industries and Natural Resources groups at Bank of America . He worked for many years at Schroders and subsequently at Citigroup. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and a member of The Ownership Commission.

George Rose

Non Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at National Grid plc and Vallares plc. Non Executive Director, Saab AB. Former CFO and Board member BAE Systems plc. Former Non Executive Director of Orange plc and Airbus S.A. Previously George held various finance positions at Leyland vehicles, Rover and Ford Motor company.

Andrew Shilston

Andrew Shilston was the chief financial officer of Rolls-Royce plc from 2003-11.Prior to that, he was the CFO of Enterprise Oil for eight years. He has also acted as a non-executive at Cairn Energy and AEA Technology. At Rolls he has oversight of the £1 billion investment budget, covering R&D as well as capital projects.

Philip Sturrock

Philip Sturrock is currently Chair of the Wandle Housing Association and Vice-Chair of The United St Saviour's Charity in Southwark. He was previously Chairman and CEO of The Continuum International Publishing Group. He has had a long and successful career in book publishing including being Chairman of Osprey Publishing Ltd, Chairman and CEO of Cassell plc and managing director of both Routledge and Pitman.

General information on equality and the labour market

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:16:24 GMT

The links below provide access to EHRC’s guidance for:

a) Employers

Equality and Human Rights Commission - Employers' guidance

b) Workers

Equality and Human Rights Commission - Workers guidance

Open General Licences

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:11:46 GMT

The Export Control Organisation's system of Open General Licences (OGLs) are at the heart of export and trade controls for so-called "strategic" goods. This includes a wide range of products, technology and software of a military and dual-use (in other words, both civilian and military use).

What are Open General Licences?

OGLs are export licences which are available in the public domain. They remove the need for an exporter to apply for a Standard Invividual Export Licence (also issued by the ECO) for individual consignments. As a result OGLs are of practical relevance and could potentially save you - an exporter - time and money in by allowing for immediate export and planning reliability.

OGLs allow for the export of specified controlled items by any exporter provided the shipment and destinations are eligible.

Use of OGLs comes with certain conditions. Exporters must adhere with all specified conditions, including keeping appropriate records and registering via SPIRE. It is the exporter's responsibility to comply and check the licence requirements before use and to keep updated with any changes.

Exporters using these licences will be subject to regular compliance audits by the Export Control Organisation.

Where to find out more about OGLs?

You can find out further background details about Open General Licences by reading our guidance for exporters which is published on the export control pages on the Businesslink website.

Current Open General Licences

Dual-Use Items

European Union General Export Authorisations (EU GEAs) issued by the EU

EU GEA 001 (EU001) - exports to Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland (including Liechtenstein)
- Listed as Annex II of Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 (EU Dual-Use Regulation) on pages 253 and 254. You will need to consult both this regulation and the amending Council Regulation (EU) No 1232/2011 and retain both documents in your records.
EU GEA 002 (EU002) - exports of certain dual-use items to certain destinations
- Published in Annex IIb of Council Regulation (EU) No 1232/2011
EU GEA 003 (EU003) - export after repair/replacement
- Published in Annex IIc of Council Regulation (EU) No 1232/2011
EU GEA 004 (EU004) - temporary export for exhibition or fair
- Published in Annex IId of Council Regulation (EU) No 1232/2011
EU GEA 005 (EU005) - telecommunications
- Published in Annex IIe of Council Regulation (EU) No 1232/2011
EU GEA 006 (EU006) - chemicals
- Published in Annex IIf of Council Regulation (EU) No 1232/2011

For more information see guidance onEuropean Union General Export Authorisations (EU GEAs) published on the Businesslink website.

Open General Licences issued by the UK

Military and Dual-Use Goods

Military Goods

Other OGELs

Open General Transhipment and Trade Control Licences

Revoked Open General Licences (Archive)

You should be aware that from time to time export licences are amended.
The main reasons why licences are amended are because either:

the goods and countries to which goods can be exported under these licences change.
or due to new embargoes being imposed or sanctions being lifted.

Download a spreadsheet which provides asummary list of revoked open general licences.

If you need to access a revoked Open General Licence then please contact the ECO Business Awareness Unit by email atweb.comments@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Can I use an Open General Licence?

Before using an OGL, you need to decide whether you are able to use the licence for your export activities by carefullyreading all the terms and conditions of the OGL.

You might find it helpful to use the OGEL Checker website (registration required) which is an online tool designed to help you check the terms and conditions of OGLs and whether you might be able to use one for your export purposes. The title of each licence usually gives an indication as to its purpose.

If you are unsure of the "rating" codes referred to in the required OGEL, you are recommended to check the Control Lists or use the Goods Checker website (registration required).

Registering for Open General Licences

Exportersmustregister with the ECO before they make use ofmostOGELs and the CGEA. You can register via the ECO's export licensing database, called SPIRE.

NOTE:There are a few Open General Transhipment Licences for which registration is not required.

All shipments exported using OGLs do not require the physical presentation of the licence document to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). However exporters must state the exact licence name IN FULL on any accompanying commercial documentation.

Amendments to Open General Licences

You should be aware that there are frequent updates to licences. Notifications of any amendments to OGLs can be found in the ECO's Notices to Exporters. If you are registered for OGLs you are recommended to sign up to receive the ECO's notices via email. Find out how to subscribe to the ECO "Notices to Exporters" mailing list.

All Open General Licences remain in force until they are revoked.

Export Control Organisation

Updated: 6 January 2012

Compound Penalty Cases

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:29:39 GMT

What are compound penalties?

Exporters who commit export control offences in the United Kingdom are investigated by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The two organisations work together to enforce the UK's export controls.

HMRC has a number of options available in pursuing any enforcement action, depending on the nature of the offence. This includes seizing goods, issuing a compound penalty fine or referring the case to the CPS for criminal prosecution.

The powers to issue a compound penalty are granted by the Section 152 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. You can access the published act on the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website.

Compounding is the means by which HMRC can offer the exporter the chance to settle a case which would justify being referred to the CPS for prosecution, therefore saving the taxpayer and company time and legal fees.

Compounding should not be viewed as a light option as there is no maximum compound penalty limit. The largest fine currently awarded for an export control related offence was for £575,000 in 2009.

Exporters are encouraged to export with due care and attention and meet their export control responsibilities. You can find out more from the export control pages on the Businesslink website.

List of Compound Penalty Cases

Details of exporters fined for export control offences from 2009 onwards:

Date	Cases
December 2011	£350,000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to various destinations without licences between January 2009 and July 2010
December 2011	£4,700 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the export of goods in contravention of a prohibition under restrictive measures against Iran in August 2011
August 2011	£7,000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to an act calculated to promote the supply of controlled goods between third countries without a licence between March and July 2008
August 2011	£20,000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the trafficking of controlled goods without licences between 2008 and 2009.
July 2011	£4,000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to prohibitions on the export of goods to Iran in November 2010.
July 2011	£55,000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to a number of destinations with licences between 2008 and 2010.
May 2011	£17,000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the trafficking of controlled goods without licences in 2009.
March 2011	£239,000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to various destinations without licences between January 2006 and September 2009.
March 2011	£1000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods without a licence in December 2008.
March 2011	£25,000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to various destinations without licences between February 2008 and February 2010.
March 2011	£1000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods without licences between February and November 2008.
March 2011	£5000 penalty paid for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to a nubmer of destinations without licences between May and June 2009.
December 2010	£1000 penalty paid by UK company for alleged offence in relation to the transport of controlled goods to an embargoed destination without licence during July 2009.
August 2010	£10,000 penalty paid by UK company for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to a number of destinations without licences between January and June 2009.
June 2010	£35000 penalty paid by UK company for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to a number of destinations without licences between 2006 and 2010.
May 2010	£15000 penalty paid by UK company for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to a number of destinations without licences between 2007 and 2008.
May 2010	£10000 penalty paid by UK company for alleged offences in relation to trafficking of controlled goods without licences between 2004 and 2009.
April 2009	£575,000 penalty paid by UK company for alleged offences in relation to the export of controlled goods to a number of sensitive destinations without licences between 2003 and 2006.

Export Control Organisation

Updated: 5 January 2012

English Business Survey

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:54:08 GMT

What is the English Business Survey?

The English Business Survey will provide Ministers and officials with information about the current economic and business conditions across England. By providing timely and robust information on a regular and geographically detailed basis, the survey will enhance officials’ understanding of business perceptions throughout England and ultimately improve policy making.

BIS has selected TNS-bmrb, an independent survey provider, to conduct the survey, covering approximately 3,000 businesses across England each month. BIS are conscious of burdens on business and therefore the survey is as light-touch as possible, being both voluntary and telephone-based, requiring only 11 to 12 minutes and has been designed to not require reference to any detailed information.

The survey will provide qualitative information across a range of important variables (e.g. output, capacity, employment, vacancies, prices, investment), compared with three months ago and expectations for three months ahead.

The outputs of the survey should also be useful to businesses, providing valuable intelligence about local economic and business conditions.

Why are we carrying out the survey?

A detailed understanding of businesses’ perceptions and plans across England will inform the Government’s economic growth programme for rebalancing the economy.

The survey will provide regional data on a monthly basis. Further, each quarter BIS will assess the feasibility of producing sub-regional data and possibly data by workplace size or broad industry sector. BIS believes that this can provide a valuable complement to other business surveys, as most surveys are primarily designed to provide timely information about the economy at the national level, rather than at the regional level. The Government needs to better understand the variation of economic and business conditions across England in order to make the best possible policy decisions.

The data will be available within a few weeks of the fieldwork finishing and this timeliness is a crucial element of the survey’s value, particularly in the current economic climate, as it will help to support dynamic policy making in response to sudden changes in economic circumstances.

This information will be valuable to the Government, policy makers, businesses, and local partners in helping to guide policy and support private sector growth in all parts of England. The information will also become more valuable over time as a time series of data develops and comparisons over time can be made.

How can you use the survey results?

BIS will make the survey results public as quickly as possible following quality assurance tests and are developing a tool to make the data available in a flexible format, so that local partners and private businesses can analyse the data themselves and its full value can be realised.

The survey results will be available here (www.bis.gov.uk/ebsurvey).
An interactive online reporting tool is being developed to facilitate the interrogation and analysis of the survey results. This will be available at www.ebsurvey.co.uk in summer 2012.
Survey microdata will be placed in the UK Data Archive, with more detailed microdata being placed in the ONS Virtual Data Lab, to allow Approved Researchers to conduct more sophisticated analysis. For more information on how to become an ONS Approved Researcher, please read this.

The first data will be published on 28th February 2012 and the publication of data will be monthly from then on. We will announce publication of the data four weeks in advance but due to the experimental nature of the data, the exact date may vary.

Please note: individual businesses will not be identifiable in any of the published data from the survey.

Do you want more information?

If you have any questions about this work, or would like to check whether any contact you may have had with a research company is genuine, please contact the appropriate person listed below.

Data queries - Heather Holt	020 7215 5103	ebsurvey@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Analytical queries - Philip O’Donnell	0114 207 5384	ebsurvey@bis.gsi.gov.uk

For press queries, please visit: http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom/key-contacts

For more information about TNS-bmrb, the independent survey provider, please follow this link: http://www.ebsurvey.co.uk/about.html

For more information on the survey publication dates, please follow this link to the publication hub: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/hub/index.html

Skills for a Green Economy

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:41:25 GMT

Skills for a green economy: a report on the evidence

The green economy is defined as one in which value and growth are maximised across the whole economy, while natural assets are managed sustainably. Such an economy would be supported and enabled by a thriving low carbon and environmental goods and services sector. Environmental damage would be reduced, while energy security, resource efficiency and resilience to climate change would all be increased.

The transition to a green economy requires a workforce with the right skills, not only in low carbon and environmental businesses, but also to help all businesses use resources sustainably and to be resilient to climate change.

In 2011 BIS, DECC and Defra collaborated on a project to look at skills in the green economy. The resulting recommendations were published in August 2011 in Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy (page 9). BIS, DECC and Defra also published the evidence gathered in the course of the project.