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

The latest workplace absence figures published in 2012 show that musculoskeletal problems such as back, neck, shoulder and knee pain are still proving to be a huge issue for people across the UK, blighting the lives of millions.

If you've ever complained about conditions for business and felt no one's listening, now is your opportunity to be heard.  The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey is a highly respected snapshot of conditions for business but the BCC don't do it alone.  They need your input to help them present the most accurate picture in a survey which is taken very seriously by central government and the Bank of England and is reported widely in the press.

Two thirds of Bedfordshire businesses have no plan in place should they suffer a major catastrophe like fire, flooding or severe weather, research released by the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF) has found. This means their competitors could profit from their problems if disaster struck. However help is at hand during Business Continuity Awareness Week (18-22 March 2013) and creating a plan is simple and quick and would help local companies to keep in business and protect jobs.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has been officially named as a Business Superbrand in an influential annual survey that identifies the UK’s strongest business-to-business brands. Independently co-ordinated by The Centre for Brand Analysis, the annual Business Superbrands survey considers thousands of brands that are judged by both an Expert Council and over 1,900 individual business professionals from across the UK. 

For the first time businesses are being offered interactive support with their tax affairs by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Commenting ahead of the Mansion House speech being made by the Deputy Prime Minister this evening, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Find out more about our members with our online digital members diary.

Manufacturing and engineering are recognised as being vital to the health of our local and national economies.  It's important that Bedfordshire's prominence in these sectors is fostered and developed.

Chamber members Peninsula Business Services Ltd. has issued some timely advice for employers during periods of bad weather.

Commenting on the speech on banking delivered  by Business Secretary Vince Cable, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Commenting on today's speech on the Banking Reform Bill by Chancellor George Osborne, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

2012 was an eventful year in the energy industry and 2013 is set to be no different!

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce has expressed concern at opposition to plans to develop London Luton Airport by local interest groups in Hertfordshire saying they ignore the importance of the airport to the local and sub-regional economy.

Manufacturing and engineering are recognised as being vital to the health of our local and national economies.  It's important that Bedfordshire's prominence in these sectors is fostered and developed.

• Business lending fell by £2.1bn in December 2012
• Net lending to business contracted by £18.7bn for the year 2012

Nine Lives Media is a multi-award winning independent television production  company making documentaries for all the major UK broadcasters.  They are currently on the hunt for bosses to take part in a new series for the BBC.

Commenting on today’s announcement by the Department for Transport on High Speed 2, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Once voted one of the ugliest buildings in Bedford, the Park Inn by
Radisson has undergone a refurbishment of the public areas which was
completed in December 2012.

• GDP in Q4 2012: -0.3% on the quarter; flat on the year
• Manufacturing output: -1.5% on the quarter; -2% on the year
• Services output: flat on the quarter; +1.4% on the year

If you still haven’t sent in your 2011-12 Self Assessment tax return, you’ve got just a few days left to do so and avoid a penalty.

In the three months to November 2012, unemployment fell by 37,000 compared with the previous three months, while employment increased by 90,000.

Commenting on today’s speech on Europe by the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, John Longworth, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Business lending fell by £2.8bn in November 2012. Net lending to small business contracted by £6.4bn over the past year. Commenting on the Trends in Lending report, published today by the Bank of England, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Commenting on the Sickness Absence Review, published today by the Department for Work and Pensions, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on today’s announcements on the Employment Law Review, published today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: