Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER NEWS

TThe European Commission is now consulting on the UK opt out from the 48 hour working week. The Chamber is working with BCC to present a forceful and persuasive case to the Commission in favour of retaining the opt out.

The DTI have stressed to the BCC that the case presented by the Chamber of Commerce network will play a crucial role in this decision because losing flexibly in the labour market hits SMEs the hardest.
(for more information click : http://www.europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=IP/04/1|0|RAPID&lg=EN&display=
How can you help?
We would be grateful if you (or if appropriate someone else) would complete the short survey found at this link : http://www.chamberonline.co.uk/cmn/commerce/survey/runsurvey.jsp?surveyId=bcc-workingtime
Also, it would be exceptionally valuable if we can provide many specific case study examples from business which illustrate the value of the opt out. Could you provide a brief account of the potential effects on your company? examples:
- specifically why use the opt out is used e.g. particular periods when you are busy and need employees to work longer hours.
- what problems losing the opt out may bring e.g. may struggle to cope if hours where limited, may have to employ more staff
- any estimation on costs e.g. lost business, extra employment costs
- whether in exchange for keeping the opt out it would be acceptable to be required to comply with 1) new rules to prevent the opt out being signed at the same time as employment contracts and 2) extra time record keeping ?
Even brief comments on some of these questions would be helpful.
I would be grateful for any case studies by the 1st March - please forward to Max Boden, Policy Manager - boden.m@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
Thank you for all your help.

Chamber members are able to gain access to free advice and guidance across a broad range of issues including new legislation, employment law, debt recovery, credit management and company and contract law. This service is provided through a scheme offered only to members by fellow Chamber member Croner Consulting. In order to ensure that this service is exclusive, all members will soon be sent their new card for 2004 containing the telephone number to be called and the Scheme Number to be quoted when making an enquiry. Could everyone who currently holds one of these Legal Helpline cards please watch out for this card as the current Scheme Number will no longer be valid once the new cards come into use. For more information on this and other membership benefit products please call Vicky Rogers on 0116 204 6601 or email rogers.v@chamberofcommerce.co.uk.

From: David Kern, Economic Adviser to the BCC

BCC Quarterly Economic Forecast: The next issue of the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Forecast will be issued in the next 2-3 weeks, and will be circulated in the usual way to all Chambers and to the media. The current Briefing reviews monthly developments; it also updates our global forecasts, and our interest rate and exchange rate assumptions. The new detailed forecasts for the UK economy will be published in a few weeks, in the February issue of the Quarterly Economic Forecast. However, one can confirm that our UK GDP growth forecasts will very probably be upgraded, following the publication of stronger-than-expected figures for Q4 2003.

• UK quarterly growth was 0.9% in Q4 2003, higher than expected.
• The ballooning Budget deficit, and the large external deficit, will be factors dampening UK progress.
• Tax rises of 10bn-15bn will probably be needed in the next 2-3 years, to avoid breaking the Golden Rule.
• We assume that the UK repo (base) rate will be raised 4.50% by end-2004, and to 5% in 2005.
• In the next few months, £ is set to rise against the $, and ease against the Euro. After mid-2004, we expect £ to weaken against most currencies.
• The global recovery continues to gather momentum. Growth forecasts have been raised further.
• The global upturn is mainly being driven by stronger US growth, and by the buoyancy of China, India, and other Asian economies.
• The global economy is set to strengthen in the next 6-9 months. US & Euro area growth will be stronger in 2004 than in 2003. But Japan will decelerate.
• Medium-term prospects remain uncertain. Huge imbalances will persist, and growth is likely to slow in 2005.
• The main dampening factors are: terrorism, huge budget & external deficits, excessive debt, and trade & currency tensions.
• US non-farm payrolls rose by a very disappointing 1,000 in December, well below expectations; but the unemployment rate fell from 5.9% to 5.7%.
• US GDP, after growing 3.1% in 2003, is now forecast to grow 4.6% in 2004, with 2005 growth slowing to 3.6%. President Bush is likely to be re-elected.
• Euro area prospects are gradually improving. In the year to November 2003, industrial production rose 1.1% in France, 1.0% in Germany, and 2.0% in Spain.
• Euro area GDP growth, after 0.5% in 2003 (Germany fell 0.1% last year), is forecast at 1.9% in 2004 & 2.1% in 2005. Growth will be limited by the strong euro, unduly tight fiscal & monetary policies, and inadequate reforms.
• The Euro area will bear the main adjustment pains resulting from the $’s fall, as Japan intervenes to limit the yen’s rise, and China pegs the renminbi’s to the $.
• Japan’s GDP growth, after 2.4% in 2003, is forecast at 2.0% in 2004 & 1.5% in 2005. Bad debts, and adverse demographic trends, will limit long-term growth.
• Asia’s economic status will strengthen further, driven mainly by China and India. China’s GDP recorded spectacular growth of 9.9% in the year to Q4 2003, and 9.1% in 2003 as a whole. Indian GDP grew 8.4% in the year to Q3 2003.
• Official interest rates will rise gradually during 2004, but the ECB may still lower rates if the € rises much further. Longer-term bond yields will also rise in 2004.
• The huge US external deficit will trigger further $ falls in the next 3-6 months, to $1.30-$1.35 per €, $1.83-$1.87 per £, and Y101-Y97 per $, before the $ stabilises.
• Gradual and orderly $ falls can help ease global imbalances; but a $ collapse will be very damaging. The US will continue to adopt a relaxed attitude to the $’s fall.

UK background: GDP quarterly growth was 0.9% in Q4 2003, higher than expected. The ballooning Budget deficit, and the large external (current account) deficit, will be factors dampening UK progress. Tax rises of 10bn-15bn will probably be needed in the next 2-3 years, to avoid breaking the Golden Rule. As expected, the UK repo (base) rate remained unchanged in January, but the markets predict increases to around 5% in the next 15-18 months. The UK economic upturn remains over-dependent on an upsurge in public sector spending, recruitment, and pay. Over the medium tem, the UK economy continues to face serious challenges and problems. But the outlook for the next 1-2 years remains benign, with relatively good growth, low inflation, tolerable (albeit rising) interest rates, and high employment.

Base rate and sterling: At its January meeting, the MPC left as expected its key interest rate (repo rate) unchanged, at 3.75%. As in December, eight members supported the “no change” decision, and one voted for an increase. In the minutes, the MPC accepts that there were some arguments for an immediate rise. But most members agreed that there was no need to change the repo rate this month. The main reasons were: i) the absence of inflationary pressure; ii) concern over how the dollar’s fall may affect the global economy; iii) uncertainties over the effects of a rise in interest rates on consumption, given the high level of indebtedness; and iv) the importance of explaining MPC decisions clearly, after the changeover to the new CPI target. With CPI inflation at 1.3%, it will clearly be difficult to explain any tightening in monetary policy in the near future. Even so, the Bank’s February Inflation Report will probably forecast a rise in CPI inflation over the next two years, and the markets predict a repo rate increase to 4% at the February MPC meeting. After that, further gradual repo rate increases can be expected, to around 4.50% by end-2004, and to 5% in 2005. Gilt yields will also rise in 2004. In the next few months, £ is set to rise against the $, and ease against the €. After mid-2004, £ may fall against most currencies. An early referendum on UK Euro entry is extremely unlikely.

The Global Economy: The global recovery continues to gather momentum, and growth forecasts have been raised further. The upturn is mainly led by stronger US growth, and by the buoyancy of China, India, and other Asian economies. The global economy is set to strengthen in the next 6-9 months. US & Euro area growth will be stronger in 2004 than in 2003. But in spite of the short-term improvement, huge imbalances will persist, and global growth is likely to slow in 2005. The main factors likely to dampen medium-term global growth are: terrorism, huge budget & external deficits, excessive debt, and trade & currency tensions.

US non-farm payrolls rose by only a very disappointing 1,000 in December, well below expectations; but the unemployment rate fell from 5.9% to 5.7%. Moreover, the household survey indicates a more robust US labour market than non-farm payrolls. US GDP, after growing 3.1% in 2003, is now forecast to grow 4.6% in 2004, with 2005 growth slowing to 3.6%. Euro area prospects are gradually improving. In the year to November 2003, industrial production rose 1.1% in France, 1.0% in Germany, and 2.0% in Spain.

Euro area GDP growth, after 0.5% in 2003 (Germany fell 0.1% last year), is forecast at 1.9% in 2004 & 2.1% in 2005. Growth will be limited by the strong euro, unduly tight fiscal & monetary policies, and inadequate reforms. The Euro area will bear the main adjustment pains resulting from the $’s fall, as Japan intervenes to limit the yen’s rise, and China continues to peg the renminbi’s to the $ for the time being.

Japan’s GDP growth, after 2.4% in 2003, is forecast at 2.0% in 2004 & 1.5% in 2005. Bad debts, and adverse demographic trends, will limit long-term growth. The current Japanese rebound is largely cyclical. Prime Minister Koizumi has addressed important issues. But many of Japan’s fundamental problems, which are serious obstacles to sustained recovery, remain unresolved. The Japanese economy is still suffering from the consequences of the stock market bubble, which burst in the early 1990s, particularly huge bad debts in the banking and corporate sectors. Painful reforms trigger stiff political resistance, and the authorities still find it difficult to challenge entrenched interests.

Asia’s economic status will strengthen further, driven mainly by China and India. China’s GDP recorded spectacular growth of 9.9% in the year to Q4 2003, and 9.1% in 2003 as a whole. Indian GDP grew 8.4% in the year to Q3 2003. There is now concern that excessive Chinese growth contains elements of “bubble”, and may result in a financial crunch. China’s decision, as to whether to revalue or float the renminbi exchange rate, will be determined by how serious the problem is. India’s GDP growth, although less impressive than that of China, will remain strong and steady, at around 6% per annum. India’s status as a major global economic player is steadily increasing.

Official interest rates will rise gradually during 2004, but the ECB may still cut rates if the € rises much further. Longer-term bond yields will also rise in 2004. In the currency markets, the $ has recovered slightly. But concern over the huge US external deficit is likely to trigger further US $ falls in the next 3-6 months, to $1.30-$1.35 per €, $1.83-$1.87 per £, and Y101-Y97 per $, before the $ stabilises. Gradual & orderly US $ falls can help to ease global imbalances. But a collapse in the $ will have damaging effects. If falls in the $ remain concentrated mainly against the €, the Euro area economy will suffer considerable pain. Moreover, the impact of a weaker $ on the US deficit will be limited, if (as seems likely) US growth remains stronger than in the Euro area and Japan. The US administration will continue to adopt a relaxed attitude to the $’s fall. The US argues that domestic demand in Japan and the Euro area is inadequate, and they urge these nations to stimulate their economies. Others argue that low growth in Japan and the Euro area is due to supply constraints, which can only be removed through structural reforms.

UK GDP: Preliminary figures show quarterly GDP growth of 0.9% in Q4 2003, higher-than-expected, after 0.8% in Q3 and 0.6% in Q2. For 2003 as a whole, annual growth as confirmed at 2.1%, the third year of below-trend growth. But quarterly growth was slightly above-trend in the final two quarters of 2003. Year-on-year GDP growth has accelerated to 2.5% in Q4, after revised annual growth of 2.1% in the previous two quarters. The December 2003 Pre-Budget Report (PBR) has forecast GDP growth 3%-3.5% for both 2004 & 2005. The official forecast appears achievable for 2004, but is probably too high for 2005. Moreover, the significant rebalancing in the economy predicted in the PBR, with a sharp upsurge in investment and exports, is unlikely to materialise on present trends.

Detailed figures for the components of GDP in Q4 will only be available towards the end of February. But we know that retail sales rose 1.8% in Q4, and it is very likely that the strong total Q4 GDP figure reflects a large increase in household consumption. It is also reasonable to assume that any future slowdown in the growth of household consumption (due to a cooling housing market, and greater caution fostered by the higher personal debt burden) will be more gradual than previously assumed.

UK main sectors: The service sector registered strong quarterly growth of 1.0% in Q4 2003, after 0.9% in Q3, and 0.2% in Q2; year-on-year services growth was 2.6% in Q3, after 2.4% in Q3, and 2.5% in Q2. It remains to be seen whether the very strong services growth in the second half of 2003 signals a sustained acceleration.

Manufacturing output, after stagnating in September, rose 0.9% in October, but then fell 0.7% in November, worse than expected and the largest monthly fall since October 2002. In the three months September-November 2003, manufacturing was 0.1% higher than in the previous three months, and 0.9% higher than in the same period in 2002. To put recent figures in perspective, after falling 1.3% in 2001 and 3.6% in 2002, manufacturing output recorded minimal growth of only 0.1% in January-November 2003, compared with the same period in 2002. Output is still 4% below its 2000 level. Engineering (+3.9%), and chemicals (+2.8%) recorded the best year-on-year figures in September-November, while metals (-4.1%) recorded the worst figure.

Manufacturing employment is set to decline further. But, after a prolonged recession, manufacturing output is now showing signs of recovery. The upturn is likely to strengthen gradually over the next 12-18 months, with output and profits benefiting from a weaker pound against the euro. But the manufacturing upturn will remain fragile and modest.

UK labour market: Claimant count unemployment was 908,200 in December (the lowest since 1975), down 8,300 from the revised November figure (a larger fall than expected), and down 26,900 over the year. On the wider ILO measure, unemployment was 1,460,000 in September-November, down 29,000 on the previous three months and down 64,000 on the same period a year ago. The jobless rate was 3.0% (December) on the claimant count, and 4.9% (September-November) on the Labour Force survey (LFS) measure. The employment level was 28,149,000 in September-November, up 41,000 on the previous three months, and up 186,000 over the year. The working age employment rate was 74.6% in September-November, down from 74.7% year earlier. Manufacturing employment was 3,468,000 in September-November, 116,000 lower than a year earlier and the lowest level since 1984. The jobless rate (LFS measure) was lowest in the South West (2.7%), Eastern (3.5%), and the South East (3.8%). Regional jobless rates were highest in London (7.1%), the North East (6.4%), and Northern Ireland (6.1%).

Average earnings growth was 3.5% in September-November, down from 3.6% in August-October, slightly below market expectations. Private sector earnings growth was unchanged at 3.2% in August-October. Public sector earnings growth slowed further, from 5.4% to 4.8%, and the large gap over the rise in private sector earnings narrowed modestly. Looking ahead, unemployment will remain low, and the labour market is set to stay resilient. The upsurge in public spending, and heavy public sector recruitment, will sustain strong public sector wage claims, and could trigger labour militancy. I expect earnings growth to accelerate slightly, towards 4%-4.5% per annum.

Inflation: CPI inflation (which is the basis of the new UK inflation target based on the Consumer Price Index, previously known as HICP), was 1.3% in December, the same as in November. The year-on-year rise in the all-items retail price index (RPI) was 2.8% in December, up from 2.6% in November. The ‘underlying’ retail price measure (RPIX), which the Government targeted until recently and excludes mortgage interest, was also 2.6% in December, up from 2.5% in November. The December inflation figures were slightly above market expectations. The gap between RPIX and HICP widened slightly further in December, to 1.3%.

Goods price inflation (based on the RPI) rose marginally to 0.7% in December, and was in positive territory for the past eleven months. Services price inflation (based on the RPI) rose from 3.0% in November to 3.3% in December. The gap between goods and services RPI inflation widened slightly, to 2.6%. Margins are still under pressure. In the three months October-December, high street prices remained in negative territory, and were 0.9% lower than a year earlier. Looking at UK inflation prospects, the various measures are likely to fluctuate narrowly around current levels in the next few months.

Economic Adviser to the BCC
Tel: 020 8904 6293 E-mail: david.kern@btinternet.com

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

According to the latest Confederation of British Industry (CBI) survey, the manufacturing industry is growing rapidly, reversing the trend of the last seven years. Orders are growing at their strongest pace for seven years and manufacturing output has increased for the first time in three years and is at its strongest rate in eight. Although the CBI believes that this is a promising sign for the industry on the path to recovery, it has also stressed that the improvement was taken from an extremely low base, with firms still working below capacity and jobs still being lost.

For more information, visit www.dti.gov.uk

Limits on awards for unfair dismissal and redundancy payments in employment rights cases have been raised from 1st February in line with inflation. The main changes include an increase in the cap on a week’s pay from £260 to £270, which will apply to several tribunal awards including unfair dismissal. The compensatory award limit for unfair dismissal will also go up from £53,000 to £55,000. The new limits reflect an annual increase of 2.8% in the Retail Prices Index between September 2002 and September 2003.

According to a survey by the Department of Work and Pensions, although three – quarters of businesses that provide a service to the public have made or planned to make adjustments to assist disabled customers, most of the changes relate to physical accessibility rather than communication, staff training or the way services are provided. Although changes have been made to comply with requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, the nature of these adjustments suggests a lack of understanding of the diverse nature of disability. For further information on disability and business and the proposed changes to the act for October 2004, visit www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/index.htm/

ONE IN TEN WORKERS ‘INCOMPETENT’, NEW SURVEY REVEALS
More than one in every 10 workers in England is incompetent at their job, a survey of 72,100 employers suggests. The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) carried out the poll to discover where it needed to focus its efforts. The survey revealed that a total of 11% of workers were classed by their employers as ‘incompetent’ at their current jobs – equivalent to 2.4 million people. 22% of employers said their workforce’s skills were not up to scratch, resulting in higher operating costs, orders being lost and new product development being delayed. This skills shortage highlights a growing need for more partnership between businesses and the Learning and Skills Council in the near future to help to address this problem.

To view this story in full, visit www.bbc.co.uk/news

Communications Minister Stephen Timms has backed a global anti-spam initiative 'Secure Your Server' to help combat junk e-mails worldwide. The move will see the US Federal Trade Commission advising Internet server companies around the world on how to secure their servers to prevent them automatically forwarding spam.

'Secure Your Server' is led by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). The UK is among twenty-six nations worldwide who have signed up to this initiative including Korea, Japan, Brazil, Argentina and Taiwan.

Further information is available on the DTI's site at:
www.dti.gov.uk/industries/ecommunications

Also on the website of the Information Commissioner at:

http://www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk/

More about the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) programme of work on spam:

www.ftc.gov/secureyourserver and www.ftc.gov/spam/.

Findings published from the region’s largest and most influential economic survey show that business confidence was still high as the year drew to a close. The survey of nearly 1,000 businesses across the East Midlands was undertaken during the final calendar quarter of 2003.It was carried out by the East Midlands Chambers of Commerce (EMCC) in partnership with East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
The findings reveal that:
• Domestic and overseas market conditions continued to improve for East Midlands businesses in Q4 following the slowdown in the first half of the year;
• Between Q3 and Q4 the net balance of manufacturing and service sector companies reported an increase in domestic sales and orders to the highest levels in the six previous quarters. And for the third consecutive quarter, this was also the case with overseas sales; and
• During Q4 a positive net balance of companies increased the size of their workforce, although a high proportion of firms in the region still reported recruitment difficulties.

The survey report is available from the East Midlands Observatory website:

www.eastmidlandsobservatory.org.uk/whatsnew.asp

Profits are expected to increase for almost half of Leicestershire manufacturing firms, a new survey has revealed. This is an upbeat prediction by manufacturers in the latest East Midlands Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey and follows a tough two years for industry in the country.

Max Boden, Policy Manager at Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce said: ‘It’s good to see a resurgence in the profitability of manufacturing firms. This helps keep a well balanced economy, which is good for the future prosperity of the country”

For more information, visit this story at www.leicestermercury.co.uk

The consultation concerned draft regulations issued last July on the new minimum disciplinary and grievance procedures, due to come into force in October under the Employment Act 2002. In the light of responses to its consultation, the Government has made substantial changes to the draft regulations. One significant change means that where workplace dialogue would serve no useful purpose it will fall outside the regulations. There is also a list of new exemptions from going through the statutory procedures.

The revised Regulations make it clear that employees who meet with their former employers to go through a grievance procedure after employment has ended are protected from bullying and harassment. The procedures will not initially be implied into the terms of every employment contract as provided in the Employment Act 2002. The Government plans to wait to see how the Regulations work and review the situation in two years’ time. The revised Regulations also contain a definition of “grievance” that was missing in the draft. The revised Regulations have now been laid before Parliament.

For more information, visit www.dti.gov.uk

EBUSINESS: DO IT ON-LINE & SAVE MONEY

CHAMBER EVENTS

Date: 24th February
Time: 8am - 9.30am
Venue: Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Leicester
Cost: £23.50 One price only

Nearly 1.5 million small businesses in the UK can get up to £825 tax free if they decide to file their employer end- of- year tax returns on-line. The Inland Revenue wants to encourage businesses to opt for on-line filing now rather than later and this seminar will look at what on-line filing and payment mean to businesses, how the systems work and what support services are available to help companies transfer across.

Date: 26th February
Time: 7.30am – 10am
Venue: Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Granby Street, Leicester
Cost: £25.00 One price only

The United Kingdom’s possible adoption of the Euro is an issue that many businesses feel strongly about, whether in favour or against. Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce is offering local companies the chance to update themselves on the Euro position in 2004, looking at progress so far and how this might impact on their businesses. At this informative seminar officials from Her Majesty’s Treasury will present on the economics of the five tests assessment before outlining ongoing work in preparation for a single currency. There will be particular emphasis on the issues that will affect business with the presentations followed by an informal question and answer session.

Date: 19th March
Time: 12.00pm - 2.00pm
Venue: Prestwold Hall
Cost: £22.00 members, £28.00 standard

As part of the Chamber’s ongoing series of luncheons around the county, we are delighted to announce that Charnwood MP - The RT Hon Stephen Dorrell will be our guest speaker at this luncheon. This event provides an excellent networking opportunity and gives business people the chance to raise issues of concern with their local MP.

Date: 24th March
Time: 6.00pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Sturgess Jaguar Showrooms, Narborough Road Leicester
Cost: £20.00 members £30.00 standard

Hosted by Sturgess Jaguar this event provides a valuable opportunity to network whilst having a preview of some of the exceptional Jaguar cars that are available from Sturgess Jaguar. The evening includes a delicious buffet meal and the chance to give a short presentation on yourself and your business. Business Cards will be put into a hat and pulled out at random.

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

The Federation of Small Businesses in association with the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce will be holding a networking event at the Leicestershire County Cricket Club, Grace Road from 7.30am to 9.00am on Thursday 19 February with special guest speaker, Ruth Ingman LLM. Cost will be £9.00 and will include a choice of cooked breakfast or cereals. For a booking form or further information contact Peter Clare of Mr Tax Limited on 0116 2642585 email: info@mrtax.co.uk

Don’t miss your opportunity to exhibit at the leicestershire business to business exhibition on the
9th & 10th june 10am – 6pm at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester City Football Club, Leicester. Prices from £545.00 + vat (for two days) and include full exhibition shell scheme; company listing in showguide supplement. For floor plans and costings visit www.premiermarketing.co.uk or telephone jenny howells in the event department on 01604 250295.

The event is hosted by The Leicester Mercury and supported by Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce and Business Link Leicestershire and organised by Premier Marketing.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Eport Foundation Course
Date: 25 February 2004
Venue: Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester
Beginners course to give overview of export documentation procedures and practices

Export Documentation Course
Date: 5 March 2004
Venue: Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester
Covers the preparation of export paperwork, Including transport documents through to methods of payment and banking.

For detailed information contact: John Moore Tel: 0116 2587 329

On May 1 2004 the following ten countries will join the European Union
Cyprus, Czech republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia Lithuania, Malta, Poland Slovakia & Slovenia.

Business Link Leicestershire will be holding Information seminars

March 29 2004 B/L Charnwood Court

To register please fax your Company details to International Trade 0116 2855 951
or e-mail to John Moore .....john.moore@leicestershire.businesslink.co.uk
(Tel: 0116 2587 329)