Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER NEWS

“Health and Safety Click” can offer free 24 hour /7 days a week access to your own personal health & safety expert. The new service can also help companies ensure they are compliant with current legislation as well as keep them up to date with changes as they occur. An on-line questionnaire helps you to write your Health & Safety policy and a special section gives solutions to health & safety management problems. Chamber members are entitled to a reduction in the first years annual subscription for this service and can find out more by visiting www.healthandsafetyclick.net or email rogers.v@chamberofcommerce.co.uk

As a member of the Leicestershire Chamber you are entitled to access and download any of a range of factsheets which produced by Croner Consulting - experts in the field of business support advice. These come under four main headings of legal, employment, tax and VAT and cover a wide range of issues that you are advised to be aware of before taking any action in respect of such matters.

Any Chamber member wishing to access this part of the www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk site but who doesn’t know their membership number can call Danny Whitehead on 0116 2046613 or email leics@chamberofcommerce.co.uk.

From: David Kern, BCC Economic Adviser

• Major revisions to the UK national accounts will make it particularly difficult to analyse and forecast economic trends. New figures (up to 2001) show stronger GDP growth, and lower increases in private consumption, than was previously thought.
• UK growth (1.7% in 2003 and 2.3% in 2004, after 1.9% in 2002), while remaining stronger than in the Euro area, is mediocre and below the Chancellor’s forecasts.
• A further UK Base rate cut appears increasingly unlikely. Rates should start edging up in the next 3-6 months, rising to 4.00%-4.25% during 2004.
• UK public finances are worsening sharply. Public Sector Net Borrowing (PSNB) is forecast to total £38bn in 2003-04, some £11bn above the Budget estimate.
• Tax rises totalling some 10bn-15bn will be needed in the next 2-3 years, to avoid breaking the Chancellor’s fiscal rules.
• Refocusing the inflation target on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), from November 2003, will make it more difficult to explain policy, will delay future interest rate rises, and may unsettle the financial markets.
• Sterling will weaken against the euro, but may rise temporarily against the dollar.
• A referendum on UK Euro entry cannot be won in the next 1-2 years. A decision is very likely to be postponed until after the next General Election at the earliest.
• UK risks: high-spend & high-tax policies, pensions shortfalls, housing market bubble, low skills, low productivity, weak manufacturing, large external deficit, worsening labour disputes.
• Indications of recovery have become more pronounced in the US and Japan. In the Euro area, the economy remains weak, but hopes of upturn have also firmed.
• Global stock markets remain robust, as risks of recession and deflation lessen. A cyclical upturn is probable in the next 6-9 months. But a strong and sustained global recovery is unlikely, and medium-term growth will remain subdued.
• Geo-political and economic factors will dampen recovery in the medium term, even if growth rebounds in the short term: fears of terrorism, too much indebtedness, excess capacity, large budget & external deficits, trade tensions, and currency instability.
• The failure of the Cancun world trade talks, coupled with persistent trans-Atlantic trade tensions, will heighten global risks.
• US statistics remain mainly positive, and growth forecasts are being upgraded. But the huge budget and trade deficits are worsening. Fears of a US “jobless recovery” could have adverse political consequences for President Bush.
• In the Euro area, survey indications of an early upturn are not yet confirmed by hard figures. Q2 GDP fell in Germany, France Italy, and the Euro area as a whole.
• In Japan, GDP rose by an annualised 3.9% in Q2. Growth forecasts have been raised. But deflation, bad debts, and adverse long-term demographic trends persist.
• US and UK growth will remain stronger than in the Euro area and Japan. Japan will grow faster than the Euro area in 2003; but, in 2004, Japan will again be slower.
• China & East Asia will remain the fastest growing global region.
• Official interest rates are near their cyclical lows, but early rises are unlikely.
• Tensions over alleged Asian currency undervaluation dominates the forex markets. China is unlikely to revalue the renminbi. The dollar may fall against the yen &euro.
• The global balance of power continues to shift in favour of the US.

Indications of recovery have become more pronounced in the US and Japan. In the Euro area, the economy remains weak, but hopes of upturn have also firmed in Europe. Global stock markets remain robust, as risks of recession and deflation lessen, and a cyclical upturn is probable in the next 6-9 months. But a strong and sustained global recovery is unlikely, and medium-term growth will remain subdued. Geo-political and economic factors will dampen the pace of recovery in the medium-term, even if growth rebounds in the short term. The main limiting factors are: fears of terrorism, too much indebtedness, excess capacity, large budget & external deficits, trade tensions, and currency instability. The failure of the Cancun world trade talks, coupled with persistent trans-Atlantic trade tensions, will heighten global risks.
US statistics remain mainly positive, and growth forecasts are being upgraded. But the budget and trade deficits are worsening; and fears of a “jobless US recovery” could have adverse political consequences for President Bush. In the Euro area, survey indications of an upturn are not yet confirmed by hard figures. Q2 GDP fell in Germany, France Italy, and in the Euro area as a whole. In Japan, GDP rose by an annualised 3.9% in Q2, and growth forecasts have been raised considerably. But deflation, bad debts, and adverse long-term demographic trends persist. US and UK growth will remain stronger than in the Euro area and Japan. Japan will grow faster than the Euro area in 2003; but, in 2004, Japan will again be slower. China & East Asia will remain the fastest growing global region.

Official interest rates are near their cyclical lows, but early rises are unlikely. Tensions over alleged Asian currency undervaluation dominates the forex markets and have led to reduced Japanese intervention, and sharp dollar falls against the yen. China is unlikely to revalue the renminbi, but the dollar may fall further against the yen &euro. The global balance of power continues to shift in favour of the US. The following table summarises my main forecasts for the major economies:

The financial markets continue to expect that UK economic growth, having been slack in the first half of 2003, will show a marked upturn in the second half of this year and during 2004. UK share prices, and yields on Government bonds (gilts), remain considerably above their levels earlier in the year. Employment remains near its all-time high, and unemployment is low. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) left again its key interest rate at a 48-year low of 3.50%. But there has been a marked change in perceptions. Comments made by some MPC members pointed to the possibility of an early rise in interest rates because of growing concern over rising household spending and indebtedness. While the interest futures market is also signalling a rise in rates before the end of the year, I believe these expectations are premature.

GDP figures for Q2 2003 show shallow 0.3% quarterly growth. But these figures are now only of historical interest, because major revisions to the UK national accounts will be published shortly. Until the new figures are properly examined, it will be particularly difficult to analyse, interpret and forecast economic trends. For the time being, we retain our forecast, which points to below-trend growth in 2003, followed by stronger expansion in 2004. The UK labour market remains strong and flexible, with employment at record high levels. But the economy is clearly over-dependent on an upsurge in public sector spending & recruitment, and on strong growth in public sector pay.

The UK economy faces serious medium-term problems, highlighted by low skills, inadequate investment, low productivity, weak manufacturing, excessive consumption & debt levels, swelling budget deficits, pensions shortfalls, and increased risks of strikes. Unless these imbalances are corrected, Britain’s growth prospects and its strong labour market could be threatened. Public finances are worsening at a faster pace than forecast, and most analysts expect a very large “overshoot” in the budget deficit over the Chancellor’s forecasts. Public Sector Net Borrowing (PSNB) is likely to total £38bn in 2003-04, some £11bn above the Budget estimate. Given the scale of the “overshoot” in the budget deficit, some 10bn-15bn in tax rises may be needed in the next 2-3 years, to avoid breaking the Chancellor’s fiscal rules. The UK economy faces serious medium-term risks, but the short-term outlook remains benign, albeit mediocre - with positive modest growth, low inflation, low interest rates, and low unemployment.

At its September meeting, the MPC again kept its key interest rate unchanged at 3.50%; and, as in August, the decision was taken by a 9:0 majority. But the September minutes revealed a marked change in perceptions and a harder approach. Comments made by some MPC members pointed to the possibility of an early rise in rates. In present circumstances, a further Base rate cut is clearly increasingly unlikely. However, expectations in some quarters that official interest rates may start rising very soon are premature. On balance, UK Base rate, now at 3.50%, is likely to remain unchanged in the immediate future. But I expect rates to start edging up in the next 3-6 months, rising to 4.00%-4.25% during 2004.

Refocusing the inflation target on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), from November 2003, will make it more difficult to explain monetary policy, will delay future interest rate rises, and may unsettle the financial markets. If, as expected, the new HICP target is set at 2%, the changeover will have the effect of replacing an inflation measure that is now above target (RPIX was 2.9% in August) with one that is now well below-target (HICP was 1.4% in August). The switch may have the effect of delaying future interest rate rises. But there will be serious questions whether the exclusion of housing costs from HICP, which is the most important factor accounting for the difference between the two indices, justifies the decision to refocus the inflation target on HICP.

Sterling will probably weaken, both against the euro and on a trade-weighted basis, mainly in response to the large UK external deficit. But the pound may rise temporarily against the dollar. A referendum on UK Euro entry cannot be won in the next 1-2 years, and a decision is very likely to be postponed until after the next General Election at the earliest.

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) will publish major revisions to UK national accounts on 30 September. The revised data entails introducing a new 'chain-linking' methodology to calculating GDP, and rebasing the data on 2000 rather than on 1995. Until the new figures are properly assessed, it will be particularly difficult for some time to analyse and forecast economic trends.

The ONS published already new figures for the period up to 2001. Previous articles published by the ONS suggested that the new 'chain-linking' approach would lower GDP growth rates for the more recent years. But the new published data shows that, at least until 2001, this has not happened. The new figures show stronger growth in GDP in 1999 and 2000, and unchanged GDP growth in 2001.

Gross Fixed Investment was stronger than previously estimated in the three years 1999-2001; while lower imports growth in 1999 and 2000 also contributed to higher GDP growth in those years. However, the increases in both household and Government consumption were lower than was previously thought. The table below summarises the main differences between the new and old estimates in the period 1999-2001:
Consumption

The most recent available figures, based on the old 1995-based estimates, show quarterly GDP growth of 0.3% in Q2 2003, a modest improvement on the minimal 0.1% seen in Q1, and year-on-year GDP growth at 1.8% in Q2, compared with 2.1% in Q1 and 2.3% in Q4 2002. The upturn in activity remains weak, and the imbalances in the economy appear to have worsened. Household consumption accelerated and public consumption remained robust in Q2; but investment fell again and net exports worsened sharply.

Looking ahead, the outlook points to modest, below-trend, growth in 2003, followed by a gradual improvement in 2004. My forecast remains that GDP growth will average 1.7% in 2003 (allowing for stronger growth in the second half of 2003), and 2.3% in 2004. The 2003 UK GDP forecast is well below trend, after below-trend growth in both 2001 and 2002. UK growth is set to remain higher than in the Euro area (0.6% in 2003 and 1.6% in 2004), but lower than in the US. Growth is forecast to be well below the Government’s official forecasts accompanying the April Budget - a range of 2.0% to 2.5% for 2003, and a range of 3% to 3.5% for 2004.

Quarterly growth in household consumption (consumer spending) accelerated to 1.3% in Q2 2003, after slowing sharply to 0.2% in Q1. Annual growth rose to 3.3% in Q2, after slowing to 3.1% in Q1. Household consumption growth is forecast to slow (but at a much more moderate pace than previously expected), from 3.7% in 2002, to 3.1% in 2003 and 2.6% 2004, as the housing market cools and the higher personal debt burden fosters greater caution. If the slowdown in household consumption is gradual, and if it coincides with an upturn in investment and exports, it could rebalance the economy. But there is a risk that household consumption may slow unduly sharply, in reaction to a weaker housing market, an unsustainable debt burden, or a rise in unemployment. If this happens, while investment and exports fail to recover, the threat of recession would worsen.

Investment fell 0.5% in Q2 2003, after falling 1.1% in Q1, and was 1.4% lower than a year earlier. Falling business investment was the main factor. Exports fell 2.9% in Q2, after rising 2.1% in Q1, and were 5.3% lower than a year earlier. In spite of the fall in the pound earlier in the year, growth in investment and exports will remain weak, until excess capacity shrinks and external demand recovers. In annual average terms, I now expect investment to fall by a further 0.5% in 2003, after falling 1.0% in 2002, while exports are forecast to decline by a further 2.1% in 2003, after falling 0.9% in 2002. The current account deficit will remain large, widening slightly to just over 2% of nominal GDP.

UK main sectors: The traditionally robust service sector registered quarterly growth of only 0.3% in Q2 2003, below the 0.4% provisional estimate, and much lower than the growth seen in the second half of 2002. Annual (year-on-year) growth in services was 2.5% in Q2, below the 2.6% provisional estimate, and well below the sharp annual rises recorded in 2000 and 2001. Services growth, while remaining stronger than in manufacturing, is set to continue slowing, from 2.6% in 2002 (and some 3.5% growth in 2000 and 2001), to 2.2% in 2003, before edging up to 2.3% in 2004.

Construction output is estimated to have increased 0.8% in Q2, after recording a surprising 1.9% quarterly fall in Q1. Annual growth was only 2.5%. Even so, construction growth, which averaged 7.5% in 2002 as a whole, is likely to register stronger growth in the next 12-18 months, in line with the upsurge in Government spending.

Manufacturing output rose 0.5% in July, much stronger than expected, after a revised 0.2% increase in June. In the three months May-July 2003, manufacturing output was 0.2% higher than in the previous three months, and 0.4% higher than in the same period in 2002. In spite of this welcome improvement, the sector continues to face acute challenges, and we maintain our cautious assessment that any manufacturing recovery will be modest. Manufacturing production recorded only minimal growth in the first half of 2003, after hefty falls, of 4.1% in 2002 and 2.4% in 2001. Output is still more than 1% below its 1995 level. Engineering (+1.8%) recorded the best year-on-year figures in May-July 2003. In contrast, textiles (-3.7%), and basic metals (-0.7%) recorded the worst year-on-year figures in May-July.

Manufacturing employment is set to decline further. But, after a nasty and prolonged recession, manufacturing output (while edging up from now onwards) is forecast to be virtually flat (+0.1%) in 2003 as a whole, and then grow by a modest 1.9% in 2004. Both output and profits should benefit from a weaker pound against the euro, but the recovery will be fragile.

UK GDP - Main Components - Annual Averages - % Change Year on Year

UK labour market: Claimant count unemployment was 930,800 in August (below the consensus forecast), down 6,900 from the revised July figure, and down 11,900 over the year. On the wider ILO measure, unemployment was 1,493,000 in May-July, down 1,000 on the previous three months and down 10,000 on the same period a year ago. The jobless rate was 3.1% (August) on the claimant count, and 5.1% (May-July) on the Labour Force survey (LFS) measure.

The employment level was 27,929,000 in May-July, up 63,000 on the previous three months, and up 276,000 over the year. The working age employment rate was 74.6% in May-July, up 0.3 percentage points over the year. Manufacturing employment was 3,503,000 in May-July, 125,000 lower than a year earlier. The jobless rate (LFS measure) is lowest in the South West (3.5%), Eastern region (3.9%) and South East (4.1%). Regional jobless rates were highest in London (7.5%), the North East (6.3%), and the West Midlands (5.7%). Average earnings growth was 3.4% in May-July, compared with 3.1% in April-June, slightly higher than expected. The rise was largely due to the unwinding of negative bonus effects. Private sector earnings growth recovered to 3.0% in May-July, from 2.6% in April-June. Public sector earnings growth was unchanged, at 5.1% in May-July, but the gap over the rise in private sector earnings remained substantial. Looking ahead, unemployment may increase slightly over the next 6-9 months, due to recent below-trend growth in GDP. But the labour market remains resilient. The upsurge in Government spending, coupled with heavy public sector recruitment, will sustain strong public sector wage settlements and could trigger labour militancy. I expect earnings growth to accelerate slightly in 2004, towards 4%-4.5% per annum.

Inflation: The year-on-year rise in the all-items retail price index (RPI) was 2.9% in August, down from 3.1% in July. The ‘underlying’ measure of inflation (RPIX), which the Government is now targeting and excludes mortgage interest, was 2.9% in August, unchanged from July. The August figures were broadly in line with market expectations, and RPIX remained above the 2.5% official target for a tenth month. Annual inflation on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), the international inflation measure that will replace RPIX in November as the official policy target, edged up from 1.3% in July to 1.4% in August, and the gap between RPIX and RPIX narrowed slightly, to 1.5%. The main downward pressure on prices in August stemmed from lower housing costs, mainly lower mortgage interest payments following the MPC’s July interest cut. The main upward influences on July inflation stemmed from petrol & oil, and (for a second month running) from clothing & footwear. Goods price inflation rose further, from 0.3% in July to 0.6% in August, and was in positive territory for the past seven months. Services price inflation slowed from 4.2% in July to 4.0% in August. The gap between goods and services inflation remained high; but, at 3.4%, the gap was the lowest since June 2001. Margins, although low, continue to improve. Over the past year, there was an annual increase of 0.5% in High Street prices, well below the 1.1% fall registered in January. Looking ahead, UK inflation on the RPIX measure is likely to ease slightly over the next year, as the housing market cools, to reach a level of some 2.6% in the final months of 2004. But on HICP the measure, which excludes housing costs, inflation should edge up towards 1.6% in the second half of 2004, as the gap between HICP and RPIX narrows further, to around 1.0%.

Refocusing the inflation target on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), from November 2003, will make it more difficult to explain policy, will delay future interest rate rises, and may unsettle the financial markets. If, as expected, the new HICP target is set at 2%, the changeover will have the effect of replacing an inflation measure that is now above target (RPIX was 2.9% in August) with one that is now well below-target (HICP was 1.4% in August). The switch may have the effect of delaying future interest rate rises. But there will be serious questions whether the exclusion of housing costs from HICP, which is the most important factor accounting for the difference between the two indices, justifies the decision to refocus the inflation target on HICP.

Contact details: David Kern, Kern Consulting
BCC Economic Adviser
Tel: 020 8904 6293 E-mail: david.kern@btinternet.com

General
GovernmentGross fixed
InvestmentImportsGDP19990.00.11.0-0.80.42000-0.7-0.21.7-2.60.72001-0.9-0.82.62.10.0

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

This December will bring about further anti-discrimination legislation further protecting the rights of employees at work and putting more pressure on employers to be open minded and breed an open minded company culture, however recent research shows that 57% of businesses are potentially completely unprepared, and 18% are unsure.
Employers are responsible for protecting their employees from direct discrimination, abuse and harassment and they need to be aware of the areas where they could potentially unintentionally discriminate as well. This would include allowing employees of all religions to take their own recognised religious holidays, providing benefits to an employee's spouse regardless of whether they are the same gender or the opposite, and so on.
Although the definition of sexual orientation can easily be defined, the Regulations do not make it easy to clearly define a religion or belief.
Employers need to be proactive in their approach to the new anti-discrimination legislation in order to remain robust and be attractive to job seekers. It is recommended that the best way to do this is to:
• 1. Have an equal opportunities policy.
• 2. Train managers and supervisors to identify and remove any discriminatory behaviours from the workplace.
• 3. Treat any act of discrimination seriously and with stringent corrective action
• 4. Seek professional advice when a Company’s practices are being challenged on these grounds.

April 2003 - Employment Act introduces Equal Pay Questionnaires
July 2003 - Amendments to the Race Relations Act
December 2003 - New Sexual Orientation Regulations
December 2003 - New Religion and Belief Regulations
December 2004 - Disability Discrimination Amendments to include all previously excluded employers
December 2006 - Introduction of Anti-Age Discrimination Laws

To be sure you are staying on the right side of the law attend Leicestershire Chamber's Corporate & Commercial Law Seminar with freethcartwright solicitors. This event, which will take place on the 8th October, will highlight some 100 potential areas of concern to the law- abiding business before explaining how best to address these issues. For more details call Kam Atker on Tel: 0116 204 6614 or visit www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk

As from Wednesday, 1st October 2003, people aged 22 and over are now entitled to a minimum wage of £4.50 an hour, and 18 to 21 year olds are entitled to £3.80 an hour. There is currently no minimum wage for the under 18 year olds.

New work and fire regulations, to be enforced on the 27th October, 2003, will allow employees and employers to claim damages for breaches of the regulations. Employees will be able to claim damages from their employer in a civil action, where they suffer injury as a result of the employer breaching The Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 or The Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1997. Employers will also be able to bring actions against employees for breach of their duties under The 1999 Regulation.

For more info: http://www.workplacelaw.co.uk
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Dr Richard Swannell, Deputy Director of the Envirowise programme, has commented that many small and medium sized enterprises, are missing opportunities to realise the substantial financial savings they can make by minimising waste in their company. A major research report published by the Environment Agency earlier this year, entitled ‘The Benefits of Greener Business’, indicates that British manufacturing could increase profits by as much as £2 - £3 billion per year from resource productivity alone, not to mention the potential savings in energy costs or technological innovation.

For more info: www.thebritishchamberofcommerce.co.uk

Existing legislation concerning unsolicited e-mail, phone and the internet have been updated with new regulations introduced by Communications Minister, Stephen Timms. The new regulations are designed to make people feel safer and have more confidence in utilising electronic communication technologies by allowing consumers more say over who can use their personal details. These regulations will be brought into force by the office of the Information Commission on the 11th December. Breaches of enforcement orders will be a criminal offence liable to a fine. In addition, anyone who has suffered damages because the regulations have been breached has the right to sue the person responsible for compensation.

The new regulations will mean:

• Unsolicited commercial e-mail (spam) and text messages to individual subscribers will need their prior agreement so that they may only be sent if the recipient has agreed in advance.
• New requirements on firms using cookies and similar internet tracking devises will be required to provide information and a chance for the user to refuse the cookies.
• Network operators and their partners will be able to provide subscription and advertising services based on location and traffic data to their customers. There is no restriction on the type of services that may be provided as long as subscribers give their consent and are informed of the data processing implications.

For more info: www.dti.gov.uk

Ministers have finally made a promise to help smaller firms gain more business in the public sector. It has now been recognised by government that many small firms are prevented from winning a bigger share of public sector contracts due to the numerous hurdles they encounter such as the mountain of paperwork involved and other bureaucratic obstacles. This was exposed in the report: ‘’Government: Supporter and Customer?” produced back in May by the Better Regulation Task Force and the Small Business Council, which identifies eleven practical recommendation to change this situation.

Teresa Graham, deputy Chair of the Better Regulation Task Force and a member of the Small Business Council, said: “ Many are not even invited to bid for contracts, which tend to go to larger firms who are already well known at local or national level. There’s an underlying lack of confidence in their capability, usually without any supporting evidence”.

The recommendations of the report highlight the importance of better and increased support, advice and training by the Small Business Service for small and medium sized enterprises on how to do business with central government and local councils. Websites, including information on contracts for tender, forthcoming contract opportunities and guidance on how to do business with the council should be encouraged by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Local Government Association by 2005 in order to raise this awareness and better inform. The Regional Development Agencies are recommended to work with prime public sector contractors to develop such opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. Where public procurers opt for prime contractors, the report states that the prime contractor should have to demonstrate and justify how they will achieve value for money through effective use of their supply chain- including use of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Government has now accepted all eleven recommendations of the Task Force Report and is promising to take practical action on these. In response, ministers will:

• Develop one web portal advertising all lower value central government non-military contracts and encourage local authorities to set up their own “ Selling to the Council” websites.

• Provide support for small businesses to help them negotiate the public sector tender process.

• Develop one common pre-qualification information document for lower value contracts, so that small businesses no longer have to fight their way through a mountain of paperwork every time they apply to be considered for a public sector
contract.

William Sargent, Chairman of the Small Business Council, commented: “ Great response – short and sweet – now let’s see it become a reality”.

For more information contact: www.brtf.gov.uk

CHAMBER EVENTS

Date: 11th September
Time: 7.30am - 9.30am
Venue: Leicester Tigers Rugby Ground
Cost: £23.50 members, £28.50 standard

John Nicholls, Chief Executive of the Leicester Regeneration Company gives us an opportunity to check the progress so far looking in particular at the proposed new Office Core close to the railway station and the Science & Technology Park near the National Space Centre at Abbey Meadows. Price includes a full English breakfast

Date: 18th November
Time: 7.30am - 9.30am
Venue: Leicester Tigers Rugby Ground
Cost: £17.63 one price

The Wireless Age, you’ve already invested in equipment that’s connected with cables so why should you now join the wireless age? This module will show you how the latest technologies can actually be implemented alongside existing systems to deliver real, cost effective business benefits that enable you to provide better support for your customers, staff and business. You will also get the chance to see some of the latest mobile and wireless technologies demonstrated and see how they can be used to provide “always on” business communications.

Date: 21st November
Time: 19.00 – 22.00
Venue:Time Out Hotel, Enderby Road, Blaby, Leicester
Cost: £28.00 one price

Meet, mix and mingle with the hilarious characters on arrival. Witness the murder – it could happen any-where in the room! Take in new scenes at your table. Why not make this your Christmas Do!

Date: 25th November
Time: 18.00 – 20.30
Venue:Holiday Inn Leicester West
Cost: £20.00 members, £30.00 standard

Join us for the final networking event of 2003. In addition to this evening’s excellent networking opportunities you can also enter out Christmas prize draw before enjoying a delicious buffet and a glass of wine in the comfortable surroundings of the Holiday Inn Leicester West.

Date: 5th December
Time: 11.45– 16.15
Venue:Leicester City Football Club
Cost: £44.50 members, £49.50 standard, table of ten members £420.00, table of ten standard £460.00

The Annual Luncheon has a tradition of attracting excellent guest speakers and for 2003 the Chamber is delighted that it is the turn of Barry Cryer.
With over 400 already booked to attend, you are advised to contact us to reserve your place.

Leicestershire Chamber networking events are sponsored by Blue Arrow.

For more details or to book onto this event you can book online by logging on to our website www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk or contact Kam Atker on 0116 2046614 or email at atker.k@chamberofcommerce.co.uk

OTHER NEWS

Various hospitality and sponsorship packages are available for this prestigious match being held at Leicester City’s home ground, kicking off at 3pm. Call 0116 229 4583 for more information.

Hot, dry summers, stormy winters and flooding. Is your business affected by changes in the climate? If you would like to discover more about how the climate in Leicester is predicted to change and how businesses can prepare to adapt, why not come along to the launch of Leicester’s first Climate Change Strategy? The Strategy has been prepared on behalf of the Leicester Partnership and will be launched at the Queens Building, De Montfort University at 6pm on the 15th October and includes buffet tea and wine. For more information please contact Sharon Mann on 0116 2528135 or manns003@leicester.gov.uk.

Dr Brian Iddon, Labour MP for Bolton South East and Deputy Chair for the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee will visit Loughborough University to deliver his lecture "A Scientist Loose in the House" which takes a closer look at the business of a scientist in the House as an MP.

The lecture will take place on Wednesday 8th October at 4.00pm in Room CC.0.12, James France Building, Loughborough University. All are welcome to attend.

Further details are available from:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/faculty/sci/events/biddonlecture.htm
Directions and maps are available from Miranda Whyte (m.t.whyte@lboro.ac.uk, 01509 222228)

Brian Iddon, a former Reader in Chemistry at Salford University, was first elected to Parliament on 1 May 1997.

Positions currently held :
a.. Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Drugs Misuse Group
b.. Treasurer to the Warm Homes Group
c.. Secretary to the Britain-Palestine Group
d.. Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Scientific Committee
e.. Member of the Science and Technology Select Committee.

Dr. Iddon also has particular interests in housing, mental health issues, euthanasia and conflict resolution, especially in the Middle East and Kashmir.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

This course is a natural follow up to the Export Foundation Course and covers the preparation and distribution of documents from the quotation stage through to payment.
This covers the structure of quotations, invoices, preparation of export paperwork, including transport documents to methods of banking.
Date: Wednesday 29 October 2003
& Thursday 30 October 2003

Time: Two half days 9.30am-12.30pm
Venue: BusinessLink Leicester
Charnwood Court
5b New Walk
Leicester LE1 6TE

Cost: £155 + VAT per delegate.
To book a place contact International Trade Department, 0116 2587 312