Department for Business and Trade

Tomorrow, the National Living and Minimum Wages will rise, seeing the country’s lowest paid get a pay rise over twice the rate of inflation. We’re putting more money straight into the pockets of working people – and businesses can see the benefits too. There are some actions you need to take if you’re an employer: Check the new rates at gov.uk/checkyourpay and identify which staff are due the new rate ✅ Update payroll and communicate the changes to staff as soon as possible ✅ Call the Acas helpline on 0300 123 1100 to get advice and support on paying workers correctly ✅

Looking for help and advice to grow your business overseas? 🌎 This April, get stuck into the UK Export Academy's 40+ free webinars, all designed to help you supercharge your overseas growth 📈 Sign up now to get started 👉 https://ow.ly/Lvev50VrwWK

A message from the Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports Gareth Thomas 👇 "Could you be our next small business commissioner? It's our incredible small businesses that form the backbone of communities across the UK and play a vital part in our economy. In my time so far as minister for small business and exports, it's been a privilege to meet some of these businesses, and see first-hand the contributions they are making. That's why hearing some of their stories about issues they face - like the consequences of late payments and unfair payment practices - was so difficult. A healthy cash flow is critical for small business survival and growth, and these detrimental practices can be devastating. This is where our Small Business Commissioner comes in. They have an important and high-profile role to play in supporting self-employed workers, micro and small businesses across the UK. And, as the current Commissioner’s term comes to an end, we’re seeking to appoint a new one. It’s a chance for an established leader to work alongside myself and other government ministers on an upcoming consultation on strengthened powers for the Commissioner, alongside other measures to tackle late payments and grow the UK economy.  It’s an exciting time to join us. Get your application in before 7 April." ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/eJRkipHj

Three months into the year, and the momentum continues 👏

Tap into new markets and expand your business globally 🌍 Join one of our upcoming events to discover opportunities 👉 https://ow.ly/wU3950VpC9C

UK services 🤝 breaking records The UK exported £508bn of services last year, our highest year on record 📈

Wales is set to benefit from £250m investment from Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. one of the world’s largest manufacturers of semiconductors, to boost production at its state-of-the-art factory in Newport. This will directly support over 500 high value, high skilled jobs in the area - and is another demonstration of businesses confidence in the UK's industrial landscape.

We’re continuing to create the conditions for businesses to thrive in the UK – as chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves set out in her Spring Statement today 👇

Following new evidence submitted to us by UK Steel, we have expanded the scope of a review of the UK's steel safeguard measure to ensure this information is fully considered. UK Steel, the trade association for the UK steel industry, had submitted evidence to the us that there have been changes in circumstance that may warrant a change to the current tariff rate quotas imposed. We have therefore decided to examine this new evidence as part of a review already underway into the developing countries excepted from the safeguard measure. #steel #safeguard #trade More info here: https://lnkd.in/eaEYixCN

US company GE Vernova is bringing 600 new jobs to Staffordshire as they invest into the expansion of their transformers manufacturing facility. This will help ensure UK-manufactured critical electrical infrastructure powers projects across the UK and beyond. Last week, business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP met with chief corporate officer Roger Martella to discuss how the partnership is driving our growth mission, underpinned by our Industrial Strategy - making the UK the best place in the world to invest.