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

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:

Climate Week is a supercharged national campaign to inspire a new wave of action on climate change. It culminates with thousands of events and activities taking place throughout the week of 4 to 10 March 2013, planned by organisations from every part of society. Showcasing real, practical ways to combat climate change, the campaign aims to renew our ambition to create a more sustainable, low-carbon future.

Are you, or do you know, a young person interested in a career in science, engineering or design?   The University Technical College of Central Bedfordshire is holding a Careers and Open Day on Saturday 26th January between 10am-4pm where you can learn more about Year 10 options and progression routes available through the UTC.

New EPC changes came into effect this week which means that an EPC must have been commissioned prior to marketing and obtained within 7 days of the property first being marketed. It is also essential to make the EPC available to prospective buyers and tenants when requested and advertise the EPC’s rating on all advertisements, both print and online. It is no longer necessary, however, to attach the front page of the EPC to written material.

If you want to know more about developing skills through education and training and find out about local jobs then the Luton Employment, Training and Skills Fair is for you.

Hypnosis and sales are words rarely seen in the same sentence but Gary Foster, a specialist in sales psychology, can show you how to use some great techniques that will allow you to boost your selling skills.

Ahead of the Prime Minister's long-awaited policy speech on Europe later this month the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), has today called for a pragmatic re-negotiation of Britain's relationship with the rest of the EU, reflecting the interests of businesses across the economy.

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce is offering export trainees the chance to receive accreditation for their learning from the British Chambers of Commerce.

Weather forecasters are predicting snow in the next few weeks with temperatures dropping in some parts of the country to as low as -15 degrees.  If previous experience is anything to go by, the adverse weather conditions are likely to cause massive problems for  businesses and their ability to function, especially those in rural areas and trading estates.

Commenting on the proposals to launch a national traineeship programme published by the government today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Bedfordshire Chamber member East Anglian Air Ambulance has appointed Professor Timothy Hodgetts, a serving Colonel in the British Army, as Director of Clinical Quality and Development. Professor Hodgetts’ appointment will significantly increase the medical scope and capability of the Charity, adding considerably to our existing professional clinical expertise.

Dr David Zideman has been appointed by East Anglian Air Ambulance to take up a new role of Director of Clinical Operations.  EAAA now runs 2 dedicated air ambulances every day of the year and is about to start flying night-time missions. 

Hastingsbury Business and Enterprise College are currently seeking any Business partners who would be able to provide two hours of their time to attend their Year ( Options Evening and Careers Fair, an event to support students who are currently making important decisions about their future pathways. 

Bedford College is holding a series of open days which will help prospective students find out more about study options at the college.

Central Bedfordshire University Technical College opened in September 2012 to a Post 16 cohort, and will welcome its first Year 10 students in September 2013.

A fully-funded programme, supported by the European Social Fund in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council, is being offered by the University of Bedfordshire. Skills for Growth offers organisations operating in Bedfordshire the opportunity to develop their employees' leadership and management skills.

Are you the owner of a small or medium sized enterprise? Are you facing challenges in today's turbulent and competitive market? Would you like to improve your business and revenue?

Robinson & Hall’s Property Auction department is now known as Auction House Beds & Bucks due to joining the country’s largest and fastest growing auctioneers, Auction House UK.

Cenex, the UK’s centre of excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies, will host its sixth annual Low Carbon Vehicle (LCV2013) event on 4 and 5 September at Millbrook Proving Ground.

Irfan Khan, a business graduate from the University of Bedfordshire, is applying the skills and knowledge he learnt during his degree to the world of work through Arriva UK’s Business Development and General Management Scheme.

Alcohol Services for the Community (asc)  is seeking sponsors for an event that is intended to help understanding of behaviours that lead to problematic family drinking and develop strategies to reduce existing and future problems.

Reacting to the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

As we await the delivery of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, the British Chambers of Commerce has set out its list of targeted measures to boost business growth in the UK. Following the downgrade of its growth forecasts for the next two years, the business organisation believes it is more important than ever for the government to pull out all the stops to enable British businesses to access new markets, invest and create jobs.

Chamber Members Zest Solutions, the Milton Keynes based IT support and hardware company, have expanded their business into the hand sanitising sector by waging war on living breading germs rather than the electronic type.

Commenting on the Richard Review on apprenticeships, Cheryl Smart MBE, Chief Executive of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce said:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today published a map highlighting the urgent need for action on a range of transport projects needed to boost business growth across the UK.

Commenting on the appointment of current Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney as the future Governor of the Bank of England, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and Externa