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

Commenting on today’s GCSE results, John Wastnage, Employment and Skills Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Commenting on today’s A-Level results, John Wastnage, Employment and Skills Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

• In the three months to June 2013, unemployment fell by 4,000, and employment rose by 69,000, compared with the previous quarter
• Long term unemployment is up, with further increases in the number of those unemployed for more than one year and two years
• Youth unemployment has risen by 15,000 in the three months to June, and now stands at 973,000
• In July 2013 the claimant count fell by 29,200, compared with June

Ahead of A-Level results, the BCC calls for greater contact between young people and business to help pupils make better informed career choices. The business organisation set all MPs the challenge of finding first hand from employers what prevents them from hiring young people.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is delighted to announce that the second International Trade Conference will take place on October 17 2013 at Central Hall, Westminster. Bringing together some of the UK’s high growth exporters, business leaders and leading policy makers the Conference will provide insight on the challenges and opportunities of trading internationally.

Commenting on the announcement of the new framework for delivery of traineeships by Skills Minister Matthew Hancock, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on the options for a third runway outlined by Heathrow Airport today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on the Transport Secretary’s announcement of reforms to the way Britain’s road network is managed, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on the publication of a government discussion paper on company ownership, following commitments made at the recent G8 Summit in Northern Ireland, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on Business Secretary Vince Cable’s statement regarding the flotation of Royal Mail, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Commenting on the publication of the sixth Statement of New Regulation (SNR), Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Manufacturing output in May 2013: -0.8% on the month, -2.9% on the year
Total industrial production is 0.0% on the month, -2.3% on the year

In an open letter to Mark Carney, who takes over as Bank of England Governor today. BCC Director General, John Longworth, urges him to do more to ensure a stable business environment, which will help to secure the UK’s future competitiveness. 

Commenting on the Spending Round for 2015/16, set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the House of Commons today (Wednesday), John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

It has been brought to our attention that someone has been calling companies stating that they are from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). They have been asking for a company’s full address as well as more sensitive information.

• Public sector borrowing, excluding transfers from the Bank of England QE scheme, was £12.7bn in May 2013, compared with net borrowing of £15.6bn in May 2012
• Public sector net debt was 75.2% of GDP

The Chamber Awards close for business entries on the 28th June.   Any business entering any of the eight business categories by 21st June 2013 will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad mini.

• Manufacturing output in April 2013: -0.2% on the month, -0.5% year on year
• Total industrial production in April 2013: +0.1% on the month, -0.6% year on year

Commenting on the new Small and Micro Business Assessment, which has been announced by Michael Fallon today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Commenting on the labour market statistics, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Commenting on the government’s decisions today on National Minimum Wage rates from 1 October 2013, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

What does singer Adele have in common with Flitwick based fuel card business i-fuelcards Ltd? The answer is they’ve both trademarked their names. Nigel Webb, Business Development Manager at i-fuelcards Ltd, knew that in a competitive market it was essential to protect a brand that was establishing a great reputation. 

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q1 2013 shows progress, with almost all major balances improving compared with Q4 2012. 
• British businesses are resilient, but many balances are still below pre-recession levels and growth remains too low.

• John Longworth: “These results provide a glimpse of the as-yet-distant sunlit uplands of recovery. Businesses up and down the country are working hard to drive the economy, create jobs and export, but they cannot accelerate this process alone.”

Commenting on the Chancellor’s Budget speech, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on the Government response to Lord Heseltine's Review, No Stone Unturned, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "Chambers of Commerce welcome the government's commitment to localise some funding and decision-making around transport and skills in order to unleash the enterprise and growth latent in local communities across England.

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.

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. 

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: