Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and most authoritative private sector business survey. 

Digital skills are increasingly important to the operation of businesses in the UK but companies are facing a shortage of skills in their workforce

From 3 April 2017, during office hours, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) will no longer automatically respond to Automatic Fire Alarms (AFAs) from premises that do not provide sleeping accommodation (i.e. offices, shops, factories, schools, local authority buildings).

March 30th 2017: Luton-based construction firm Ryebridge has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract as part of London Luton Airport’s (LLA) current transformation project. The £7 million contract will directly support 40 local jobs including 3 apprentices.

Commenting on the Great Repeal Bill White Paper, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

"Business communities around the UK want day-one certainty on the rules and regulations they will face when the UK leaves the EU. For that reason, the premise of stability and continuity at the heart of the Great Repeal Bill is welcome.

Commenting on the triggering of Article 50 by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Businesses across the UK, particularly in rural areas, are still without reliable broadband connections, despite companies saying the availability of fully functional broadband is extremely important to their operations, according to the results of a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

A high performance car parts firm which was struggling to get out of first gear due to its slow internet connection has seen business transformed thanks to the introduction of superfast broadband by WarwickNet.

The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy has published a list of the strangest excuses for underpaying National Minimum Wage.

Commenting on the interest rate decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

A recent national survey stated that owners of commercial buildings have 20% of the wealth in the UK.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today upgraded its UK GDP growth forecast for 2017 from 1.1% to 1.4%. However, it has downgraded its expectations slightly for 2018 from 1.4% to 1.3%, and published its first forecast for 2019 of 1.5% growth.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has  launched its flagship Chamber Business Awards at London Stock Exchange. Scientifica, last year’s winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award based in Sussex, had the honour of opening trading at London Stock Exchange, accompanied by Nus Ghani, Conservative MP for Wealden, and Ana Christie, Chief Executive of Sussex Chambers of Commerce.

Giving his initial reaction to the Chancellor’s Budget, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

The Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation are delighted to announce a new and exciting funding opportunity available for organisations who support women and girls across Bedfordshire. The fund is launched on 8th March the same day as International Women’s Day.

Commenting on the International Trade Committee’s report on UK Trade Options Beyond 2019, released today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

As the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) publishes statistics that show two-in-five businesses are more concerned about business rates than three months ago, the business group renews its call for action in the Spring Budget this week to ease the burden of rates and bring about fundamental reform to the system.

As the Chamber Network gathers in Westminster for the BCC Annual Conference, the British Chambers of Commerce has today  published a business blueprint for the UK government ahead of the upcoming Brexit negotiations.

Keech Hospice Care, which supports children and adults with life limiting and terminal illnesses, is now recognised as one of the best not-for-profit employers in the UK.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with DHL, today (Thursday) publishes its latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook, which shows that confidence among exporters that their turnover will improve jumped in Q4 2016, ahead of further moves towards Brexit.

Plastic extrusion and moulding manufacturer, Warden Plastics has invested £240,000 in new technology at its Dencora Way factory, Luton to meet customer demand and support future growth.

Commenting on the inflation statistics for January 2017, published on the 14th February by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Bedford College and Tresham College of Further and Higher Education have begun the process to officially merge. The colleges have been in discussions since autumn last year and a formal decision was made by the board of governors on Thursday 2nd February.

Workplace experts Acas and the Government Equalities Office have launched new guidance to help large businesses in the east of England abide by new gender pay gap regulations, which come into force in April.

The recent fall in the value of Sterling is squeezing domestic sales margins, and increasing the cost base of UK businesses, according to the results of the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) latest International Trade Survey. The findings, released today, also indicate that the weak pound is expected to push up the prices of products and services.

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget on March 8, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the government to take action on delivering real reform to the business rates system.

UK companies remain committed to strong trading relationships with European customers and suppliers despite the UK’s vote to leave the EU, according to the results of the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) International Trade Survey, released today.