Tag: Covid-19

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Opportunities for North East businesses to help respond to COVID-19

During this hugely difficult and unpredictable time for everyone, we’re seeing large numbers of businesses, nationally and here in the North East, stepping forward to help front line services.

This ranges from manufacturing products like ventilators and hand sanitiser, to the creation of new consortia which are working together to develop and test medical equipment.

To help support the response to COVID-19 across the North East, there is now an online directory which you can find on the North East Growth Hub. This lists current calls for support – from requests to provide rapid sanitising technology for ambulances, to an open call for creatives to use their skills to help spread public health messages.

Visit the Rapid Response Requests Directory here.

There are opportunities for organisations in a wide range of sectors to help.

We’ve seen manufacturing businesses move quickly to re-align their activity to manufacture PPE, sanitiser and ventilators. Here in the North East, firms have offered the use of their transport and logistics facilities, and laboratory spaces. Newcastle University has also worked with the Royal Navy to transport seven of its qPCR machines to the NHS in Milton Keynes, which will be used to help process thousands of samples from people suspected of having the virus.

All parts of the economy are affected by this crisis and businesses of all shapes and sizes are being forced to do things differently. Our usual ways of working are being challenged on a daily basis and as a result we are seeing new ways of collaborating and new solutions to the challenges that COVID-19 is bringing.

Innovation is about coping with change, and this situation is forcing us all to change and adapt. Innovation is more important than ever and it will continue to be important in the post-COVID environment – we won’t be doing things in the same way anymore and innovation will be at the centre of future-proofing our economy.

Right now, sitting back and waiting isn’t an option. We need to unleash the capabilities of people and businesses here in the North East who can help support the response to COVID-19. We need to pull together to find solutions as quickly as possible, and the best way to do this is through collaboration and innovation.

Alan Welby, Innovation Director.

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North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group Launches to Support North East Business and Protect Jobs

New North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group aims to support the local economy, build business resilience and get the region ready for recovery.

A North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group has been launched to provide maximum support for businesses in the immediate term and plan for long-term economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership, CBI, North of Tyne and North East Combined Authorities have come together, with the support of industry, to ensure the North East has strong economic leadership that acts quickly and collaboratively to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19.

The immediate focus is on supporting businesses to remain operational, to keep people in employment and to work with partners to solve industry challenges.

By co-ordinating one response to the current economic crisis, the Group will use one voice and its collective influence to reassure the North East public, deliver crucial interventions and lobby Government.

Helen Golightly, Chief Executive of the North East LEP, said: “Right now the region needs a strong, coherent response to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and support businesses through the immediate shock.

“Through our work with the CBI, our two Combined Authorities and all our partners, everyone in the North East can be confident that the right steps are being taken to support the local economy, build business resilience and get the region ready for recovery.

“Not only are we making sure the appropriate support is available on the ground, we will continue to engage with government to ensure the North East is fully represented at this time.”

Sarah Glendinning, Regional Director for the CBI North East, said: “This is an incredibly challenging time for all of the North East, with immediate impact for our local businesses and employees. This group will be critical in our response to COVID-19 and with the support of the wider regional business organisations, we will ensure the needs of all sizes and sectors of our economy are considered.

“The scale of these matters is immense and will require the concentrated effort of our local organisations to seek to coordinate the promised national level of support, addressing the immediate and long-term challenges arising from this emergency situation.

“We need to deal with the crisis raging around us and start planning for the recovery.”

Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority, said: “Working together as a region is so important.  I’m regularly speaking to ministers and officials to make sure our workers, businesses and the self-employed get the support they need.  And my cabinet colleagues and our staff team are already preparing to get the economy back on its feet as soon as the public health crisis is over.”

Councillor Iain Malcolm, Chair, North East Combined Authority, said: “Our businesses, large and small, are vital to the prosperity of our region, and will be crucial in helping our local economy recover when we have beaten this virus. We know that swift action is vital to support cash flow and protect jobs. We are working with government and other partners nationally and regionally to unlock all available support and financial assistance to allow businesses across the North East to continue to operate through this crisis and beyond”

A dedicated North East Covid-19 Response Group web page has been launched for those looking for more information and partners wanting to engage with its work. This is available here 

North East businesses can also access the North East Growth Hub, where a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) toolkit provides the most up to date support and advice, including partner information: https://www.northeastgrowthhub.co.uk/toolkits/covid-19-coronavirus-toolkit

 

ENDS

 

 

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Colin Bell, Business Growth Director, explains how the North East Growth Hub is working to reduce the impact of Coronavirus on our regional businesses

Right now is a time of anxiety for many people and business owners due to the impact of Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

Here at the North East Growth Hub we are geared up to provide as much support as we can – and working hard to do more.

Right now, our focus is on updating the North East Growth Hub Coronavirus toolkit so you have access to the very latest information, as well as providing direct one to one support to businesses to help them navigate the measures Government are putting in place.

This includes details of the latest financial support and how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, through to managing remote working and knowing your employees’ rights.

We are also working closely with our partners in local and national Government, academia and the private and third sectors to mobilise a combined response which puts your needs at the heart of all activity and ensures one voice and message is heard by Government.

This collaborative approach includes our Local Authorities and the North East Combined Authority, as well as membership organisations such as the CBI, FSB, Dynamo, Developing Consensus, Make, Entrepreneurs’ Forum and more.

How you can play your part

At this uncertain time, everyone has a role to play. Please help us develop our response by letting us know what you need.

Right now, we need to understand exactly what is impacting your business so we can share this with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to help them inform the measures put in place and improve the support offered.

You can do this by completing this short survey here.

In it together

The North East is known for its collaborative spirit and resilience. Please be assured the North East LEP will continue to lead from the front and share valuable information so you can do what you can to keep your business moving forward and protect employees.

Please do use the North East Growth Hub toolkit, fill in the survey and if needed, make a one to one virtual appointment with one of our Connectors. We are here to help.