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

National restrictions continue to significantly affect businesses across the country. While non-essential retail, hospitality and leisure businesses have had to temporarily close during lockdown, those businesses which are still operating will also have been heavily affected by the pandemic.

Commenting on the government’s updated Border Operating Model, published today, BCC Director of Trade Facilitation Liam Smyth said: 

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES)

Responding to The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP’s announcement of a Winter Economic Plan, including a new raft of measures to support businesses and the economy as the pandemic continues, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

The Board of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today announced that Director General Dr Adam Marshall will leave the organisation in the Spring of 2021.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, BCC President Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith has said businesses face “the most difficult trading conditions in post-war history” and set out a series of measures

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement of further easing of Coronavirus restrictions from July 4 in England, including the reopening of culture, tourism and leisure venues

An exciting new business funding matching tool looking to revolutionise access to finance for businesses in Bedfordshire is released today 

Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the majority of firms surveyed are in a position to partially restart

Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that firms are ready for a gradual reopening of the economy but

Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal the vast majority of firms surveyed say they will require three weeks or less 

Open letter to Prime Minister published as government mulls plan to lift lockdown

Loan schemes still slow to help many cash-strapped firms – but furlough scheme preventing redundancies

Results from the latest BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the vast majority of businesses surveyed have furloughed a proportion of their workforce, and are awaiting funds from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as payday approaches for many.

Commenting on news that applications are now open for the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

“The opening of the Job Retention scheme 

Commenting on the Chancellor’s announcement today (17 April) that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will be extended by one month until the end of June, BCC director general Adam Marshall said:

Results from the BCC’s first Covid-19 Business Impact Tracker paints a concerning, if unsurprising, picture for business communities affected by Coronavirus.

Commenting on the Coronavirus outbreak and its impact on business, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

“Businesses are increasingly managing the economic impacts of Coronavirus, from shipping and travel restrictions to increased freight costs and supply chain disruption. 

Commenting on the government’s policy proposals for a points-based immigration system, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:

“The speed and scale of these changes will require significant adjustment by businesses.

Over half of UK firms attempted to recruit in the last quarter of 2019, but almost three quarters have struggled to find the right talent, the largest survey of UK employers has found.

As the UK marks its official departure from the European Union, and the start of an 11-month transition period, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“In our business communities, this historic moment will bring a mixture of regret for some and celebration for others

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey reveals that the UK ended 2019 in stagnation, amid long term uncertainty, rising business costs and a slowing global economy. 

Commenting on the appointment of Andrew Bailey, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:   

Commenting on the Queen’s Speech today, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Bibby Financial Services (BFS) have revealed that uncertainty around Brexit, tariffs and exchange rate volatility

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey – now in its thirtieth year as the largest UK private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth

Essential, a family owned and operated business supplying branded apparel and corporate clothing from Dunstable, has been crowned one of the winners in the East of England heats of the Chamber Business Awards 2019.

The British Chambers of Commerce today publishes an evaluation of official UK Government guidance to businesses on critical operational issues in the event of an unwanted ‘no deal’ exit on 31st October.

Over two-fifths (43%) of businesses have had employees absent from work for more than four weeks due to ill health in the last two years, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce and Unum.