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

Luton continues with its ambitious plans to transform the town with the launch of its new skills programme for young people.

Bartercard has announced it has become the latest member to join Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and Bournemouth Chambers of Commerce. This membership will strengthen Bartercard’s commitment to members who trade in these areas.

Local Planning Authorities across the country have been progressing Local Plan preparations to ensure that they meet the Government’s end of March deadline for submission of Local Plans to the Secretary of State and thereby retain control of their housing figures. 

Students from Cranfield School of Management are preparing to compete against their peers from around the world in a global financial management contest.

Cranfield University has been chosen by the Education and Skills Funding Agency to receive Government funding to deliver postgraduate apprenticeships for non-levy paying employers. Non-levy paying employers are businesses with an annual pay bill of under £3 million.

Foxley Kingham, Luton-based chartered accountants and business advisers, today celebrates its 50th anniversary. The company was established by its founding partner, John Kingham, on 1st February 1968 and he was joined at the end of that year by Malcolm Foxley.

With the UK manufacturing PMI and CBI SME trends survey out today, Atul Kariya, head of manufacturing at MHA MacIntyre Hudson, comments on the urgent need to address the growing skills crisis threatening the sector:

There’s huge variety in what businesses need to do to stay successful. Luckily, there’s a lot of information and business support out there to help. So what are the key elements of success that business owners and directors need to focus on?

It’s in our nature as humans to connect and interact with others. But for too many - especially introverts - it can be daunting and intimidating. Others simply don't have the time or knowledge.

Commenting on the speech by David Davis on a transition period after we leave the European Union, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Making the decision to export internationally can be a huge turning point for your business. It opens you up to new markets, increases sales, reduces financial risk, and sets you up for enhanced global credibility.

Commenting on the labour market figures for January 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Face to face networking remains a powerful way to grow your business, perhaps surprisingly in the age of smartphones and social media.

Following parliamentary approval, the planning fee increase came into effect on Wednesday 17th January. All applications will now see an increase of 20% with key cost increases to note:

Every year, following the 31 January Self Assessment (SA) deadline, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) receives a number of imaginative and intriguing excuses for not completing tax returns on time. Each year also sees some widely optimistic expense claims. Recent excuses include:

team BEDS&LUTON (tB&L) is a dynamic, high performing and forward thinking organisation passionate about helping people get active and stay active in Bedfordshire. 

Whether you have a business idea, are starting or scaling up your business for rapid growth, equity investment can be a viable source of funding.

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

In the month of January, Machins Employment Team are offering your business a free health check of your employment contracts and staff policies.

MHA MacIntyre Hudson’s corporate finance team has had another busy few months, with a number of ongoing transactions, as well as the completion of the investment into Blue Skies by private equity firm 8 Miles, and the sale of CDA Auction Group to Arctos Holdings. 

A local firm of Chartered Accountants has helped celebrate the successes of the UK’s Small Businesses at a prestigious national awards ceremony.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its three-year outlook for the UK economy, cutting growth expectations from 1.6% to 1.5% in 2017, from 1.2% to 1.1% in 2018, and from 1.4% to 1.3% in 2019.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) releases the results of its survey, in partnership with American Express, which finds the majority of businesses expect the fall in sterling to increase their costs.

The planning system in England is more complex, costly and difficult for business than it was 5 years ago, according to a major report published today by the British Chambers of Commerce.

The British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with DHL, today publishes its latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook, based on survey and documentation data from UK exporters.

While measures around the UK’s high-tech economy and a dramatic cut to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for first-time buyers dominated Philip Hammond’s Budget, George Hay Chartered Accountants, which has offices in Biggleswade, Letchworth and Huntingdon, has criticised the lack of support for SMEs.

Continuing the success of the last two Graduate Development Programmes, and the very positive outcomes for several of our graduates last year following the GDP, we are once again offering the opportunity for our Class of 2017.

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

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