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

Big promises are coming out of Westminster. The Government’s new Small Business Plan sets out an ambitious roadmap to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business – with SMEs at its heart.

For Bedfordshire, this is more than just another policy announcement. If delivered well, it could mean faster payments, less red tape, stronger high streets, better access to finance, and more local firms winning government contracts. In short, it has the potential to give our business community the platform it needs to invest, hire, and thrive.

The question is: how do we make sure ambition on paper turns into real progress on the ground – right here in our county?

What’s in the plan
The measures are wide-ranging and include:

• New legislation to tackle late payments.
• A 25% cut in the cost of regulation.
• Expansion of Start-Up Loans.
• Creation of new Business Growth Service hubs.
• Investment in high street regeneration.
• Easier access to government contracts for smaller firms.
• Support for skills development, leadership training, digital adoption, and green technologies.

Opportunities for Bedfordshire
Our business community is as diverse as it is dynamic, from retail and hospitality to manufacturing and tech. Many of the priorities in the plan align closely with what you, our members, have told us you need: modernised tax systems, simpler planning rules, stronger high streets, and better access to finance and skills.

If delivered effectively, these changes could give local businesses the stability and confidence to grow, creating a more predictable environment for investment, innovation, and collaboration.

From policy to progress
But ambition alone won’t cut it. While we welcome initiatives that genuinely help our members grow, we also need clarity, speed, and practical support.

That’s where we at the Chamber play a vital role. We’ll make sure Bedfordshire businesses are informed, prepared, and positioned to take advantage of new opportunities. And through our work with the British Chambers of Commerce, we’ll ensure your experiences and priorities are fed directly into the national conversation, shaping how the plan is rolled out.

Harnessing the power of our network
One of our greatest strengths in Bedfordshire is our ability to adapt, collaborate, and innovate. Whether it’s through our networking events, skills workshops, export advice, or member-to-member referrals, at the Chamber we provide the connections, knowledge, and visibility to turn policy headlines into tangible results.

Let’s make it happen
The Small Business Plan sets the direction – but the real impact will come from turning it into progress that’s felt in every part of our business community.

And that’s precisely what we are here to do. We have the ambition, the networks, and the track record to make national policy work locally. Now it’s time to work together to turn ambition into action, and action into success.

To learn more about becoming a member, visit www.chamber-business.com or call our friendly team on 01582 522448.