“Great content as always” - Tony Ryan, Branduin Business Support
Webinars - all are free, run for 60 minutes:
HR webinar - 10th September with Peninsula - 10:00am
 
Some of the talking points will include:
 
  • The latest COVID secure guidelines
  • Managing employee contract changes within the current legal framework
  • Steps you can take to ensure staff feel safe on their return to work
  • Potential risks to your business if operating outside of the latest guidance
  • How to meet new employment laws and manage your workplace in a rapidly changing business landscape
 
During the session, you can submit questions about COVID-19 directly to an HR or employment law expert
 
All registrants get the chance to claim a one-to-one video conference with a Peninsula consultant for advice on how to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on your business.
 
 
If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now: https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015
Kickstart Scheme

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create job placements for 16 to 24 year olds.
The government has introduced a new Kickstart Scheme in Great Britain, a £2 billion fund to create hundreds of thousands of high quality 6-month work placements aimed at those aged 16 to 24 who are on Universal Credit and are deemed to be at risk of long term unemployment.
 
Funding available for each job will cover 100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week, plus the associated employer National Insurance contributions and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. Read more here. 
 
To quote the government: "To help smaller businesses, employers offering fewer than 30 placements will be asked to make a bid through an intermediary, such as a Local Authority or Chamber of Commerce, who will then bid for 30 or more placements as a combined bid from several businesses. This will make the process easier and less labour intensive to apply for these smaller companies who only want to hire one or two Kickstarters."
 
Please contact Sally Smith on sallysmith@hounslowchamber.org.uk if you are interested in helping a young person. 
Green Homes Grant
 
Updates to the Simple Energy Advice website, allowing homeowners and landlords to check how the government’s new Green Homes Grant scheme can help make their homes warmer and more energy efficient, have been launched.
 
The Green Home Grants scheme, due to open by the end of September, will allow consumers to obtain funding for up to two-thirds of the cost of the energy saving measures identified, in the form of vouchers.
 
Find out more here: http://bit.ly/greenhomes1
Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (courtesy of HMRC)
 
From 1‌‌ September employers will need to fund 10% of furloughed employees’ usual wages for the hours they do not work and continue to pay their National Insurance and pension contributions.
 
Make sure you have the latest information by joining the live webinar:
 
Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and flexible furloughing
 
We’ll provide an overview of the scheme, including flexible furloughing, examples of how to work out the amount you can claim and the changes for September and October.
 
We’ll also share information on the Job Retention Bonus, including how to check if you’re eligible.
 
 
If you haven’t been able to join our popular webinar about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, more dates have now been added. Get the latest information on:
 
  • who can claim
  • who you can claim for
  • how to make a claim
  • what you may be entitled to, and more.
 
 
You can ask questions during all our live webinars using the on-screen text box.
 
Our webinars are constantly updated to provide the latest government guidance on changes as they develop. 
Thursday 10th September | 3:00pm - 4:15pm - book your place now!

Whether you are already online or new to online trading this webinar is for you. The future of Ecommerce is changing, new sectors and business owners are rethinking their business model. They want to explore the opportunities and understand the benefits an online sales/service platform can provide.
Webinar on ‘Strengthening and Growing your business for the future’ in association with St. James’s Place Wealth Management Entrepreneur Club on 15th September. Please see Eventbrite link below.
 
New London Educational Trust is a trusted patron of Hounslow Chamber. Please click here for the July edition on Future Direction.

NLET is an independent learning provider with a main campus in Hounslow, west London, and is a non-profit charity operating for the benefit of the local community, employers and our partners.
The Youth Engagement Team of the West Area Policing Team, which covers the London Boroughs of Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow, work with a range of other practitioners to help young people to engage with more positive lifestyles.
 
As part of this work they are continually seeking to spread positive messages re policing. The posters are in English, Arabic, Polish and Somali.
Good News:
Please see our latest business magazine – Let’s Talk Business. Hard copies will be in the post to all Chamber members. The next issue will be October, if you have any interesting stories/contracts won, please let us know.

West London Local Chambers & Hounslow Chamber of Commerce are the primary support, networking, and representation organisation in west London for SMEs.

We support the interests, the commercial aspirations and the investment from businesses in Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham - the Chamber is the voice for all businesses located in the borough