News & Events

A11 dualling set to be given go-ahead

Posted Thu, 21/10/2010 - 09:06

The government is expected to give the green light to the completion of the dualling of the A11 in its big announcement today on public spending.

Sources close to the heart of the coalition confidently told the EDP last night that chancellor George Osborne has decided to authorise the widening of the nine-mile single-carriageway ‘missing link’ in the Elveden area on the main Norwich/London highway.

He has been persuaded to make this an exception to the expenditure cuts because “the economic case stacks up”.

Next Step launches new online service

Posted Wed, 06/10/2010 - 08:05

The new adult careers service Next Step is now providing an online service that aims to help adults make informed choices about which skills and courses are best suited to them.

Further education, skills and lifelong learning minister John Hayes, said: "Making the right decisions about our skills and careers isn't always easy. Empowering learners means informing them, but even making the decision to seek out information and advice is a hurdle that some find difficult to surmount.

Over-50s apprenticeships double, say charities

Posted Wed, 06/10/2010 - 07:36

The number of people aged over 50 taking up apprenticeships has nearly doubled in two years, say charities.

Age UK and The Age Employment Network said a rapid expansion of places in 2007 coupled with the recession has led to the rise in "silver apprentices".

According to the charities, the number of apprenticeships taken up by the over-50s jumped from just over 2,600 to more than 5,000 in that time.

The figure includes 400 people in their 60s and 13 in their 70s.

Norfolk business leaders and politicians battle for A11 dualling

Posted Mon, 04/10/2010 - 09:32

A series of letters from Norfolk's business community and council leaders have been sent to the government outlining the “crucial importance” of dualling the final stretch of A11.

One document signed by Aviva UK chief executive Mark Hodges, who is also chairman of Shaping Norfolk's Future, and president of Norfolk's Chamber of Commerce Barry Dennis, is supported by more than 70 signatories.

Headlines – Wednesday, 29th September, 2010

Posted Wed, 29/09/2010 - 12:49

In conjunction with The Business Library (in the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library at The Forum), the Chamber is pleased to bring you the headlines from the EDP Wednesday Business Supplement.

Business Supplement

National Minimum Wage for Apprentices

Posted Tue, 28/09/2010 - 15:23

A new National Minimum Wage (NMW) for apprentices will be introduced from 1 October 2010, when the current exemption from the NMW for apprentices will end.

Good Practice in Work Based Learning Provision

Posted Tue, 28/09/2010 - 15:22

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) has identified some of the factors that have led to high performance in the provision of work-based learning. Drawing on the experiences of twelve providers who have been judged ‘outstanding’ in inspections, the report looks at the actions they took to improve and then sustain their performance.

Acas Business Briefing in Great Yarmouth

Posted Tue, 28/09/2010 - 09:55

There are mixed messages as to whether the recession could be over. But, whatever the situation now is the time to take stock, to consolidate, to think ahead, and to invest in the future of your business.

Postal service is ‘no longer important’ to businesses

Posted Tue, 21/09/2010 - 10:20

Following the announcement by the government to privatise Royal Mail, a survey has revealed that less than a quarter of firms still view traditional mail as important to their operations.

A poll of 5,000 companies found that just 23% see mail as necessary. Londoners were found to value to postal service the least with 11% saying that ‘snail mail’ was important to their business. By comparison, the postal service was most prized in Yorkshire where 37% of businesses described the daily delivery as essential.

European plans to change maternity rights will cost UK £2.5 billion

Posted Tue, 21/09/2010 - 10:12

An impact assessment carried out on behalf of the European Parliament has revealed that the cost of extending maternity leave to 20 weeks at full pay in the UK alone will be a staggering €3 billion (£2.5 billion) per annum.

However, MEPs will not be able to make a fully informed decision when they come to vote on the proposal in October as the impact assessment only considers the costs and benefits for ten out of the 27 member states.

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