The Locksmith Journal Jan-Feb 2018 - Issue 54 | Page 4

4 • FROMTHEEDITOR
PROUD SPONSORS OF THIS PAGE
Let ’ s start by wishing our readers , advertisers , sponsors , contributors and all our valued supporters a Happy , Peaceful and Prosperous New Year . It is a pretty big wish , after the rock and roll year of 2017 , which at times felt like being out on a stormy sea ( just ask Theresa May !) But let ’ s try to stay positive as we look ahead to what promises to be another hectic year .
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SECURITY REMAINS high on everybody ’ s agenda so there will be plenty of opportunities for enterprising businesses to make progress , from the corporate global players down to the SMEs and sole traders , locksmiths and auto locksmiths , all of whom have an important part to play in this huge industry .
‘ Investment is not just about products , it is also about people ’
Research and development never stops in this business but the serious investment involved does get results , with an array of impressive new products coming on-stream in every category of security as we saw in 2017 at MLA and will see this year at our own LOCKEX SECURITY & FIRE SAFETY .
Investment is not just about products , it is also about people and with that in mind , training also remains high priority . Fortunately , there is no shortage of excellent and experienced people out there who pass on their skills and knowledge to keep both old hands and new entrants up to the mark , as we see at the major industry shows all over the globe .
Speaking of old hands , this will be my last issue as editor of The Locksmith Journal so I ’ d like to say thanks and send good wishes to all those invaluable contacts and genuinely interesting people whom I have met . I have seen many changes along the way and am impressed at how the industry – very much a traditional , historic one – is continuing to embrace with real enthusiasm , all the exciting new technology that is changing the way we all look at security at every level .
I am confident that the new Editor , Gemma Emmerson , will set even higher standards and take LS on to bigger and better things in future . You can contact her on : Gemma @ cvgroup . co . uk .
Patricia . Group Editor

Law change needed to help small firms be resilient to terror threat

The Government must act urgently to change the law to help local economies protect themselves in the face of today ’ s rapidly evolving terror threat , according to a new report from the Federation of Small Businesses ( FSB ).
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THE REPORT , ‘ SMALL business as usual – strengthening resilience against 21st century terrorism ’, calls on the Government to release the UK terror cover safety net , Pool Re , from outdated law which prevents businesses from insuring themselves against ‘ non-damage business disruption ’ in the wake of a terror attack . Current rules do not cover loss of trade , or other impacts of modern terrorism .
Alongside this , the Federation says that the Government should introduce emergency resilience measures for businesses affected by terrorism , providing extra financial relief and allowing businesses to delay bill payments to ease the pressure on short-term cash flow .
The report draws on examples from recent terrorism incidents including the attack at Manchester Arena and on London Bridge .
Alongside a push to raise awareness in the business community about the need for resilience planning , the report sets out how the Government could require regulated utilities , such as banks and energy companies , to introduce a ‘ flexibility clause ’ in supply contracts to allow small firms to delay payment in the event of a terror attack .
FSB is also calling for local authorities to be mandated to give temporary business rates relief to small firms affected by terrorism .
‘ Current rules do not cover loss of trade , or other impacts of modern terrorism .’
www . fsb . org . uk
LOCKSMITHJOURNAL . CO . UK | JAN / FEB 2018 Sponsored by Lockex 2018 - Security & Fire Safety