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

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q2 2013 shows further progress, with most key balances stronger than in Q1 2013.
• Service export deliveries balance rose to +36%,  the highest level since the survey began in 1989
• UK business remains resilient, and confidence is rising, despite most balances remaining below their pre-recession levels in 2007

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

The University of Bedfordshire’s Knowledge Hub has teamed up with Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council to launch an innovative leadership and management training programme aimed at business professionals looking to develop their skills set.

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. 

From October 2013 all newly built commercial property completed between 1st October 2013 and 30th September 2016 will be exempt from empty property rates for the first 18 months (up to the state aids limit).

• 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.”

Tax cheats who become insolvent to dodge their companies’ tax obligations face up to five years’ scrutiny from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Do you own your own company?   Do you need to attract more customers?  Would you benefit from some marketing advice?  A new documentary series about SMEs wants to hear from you.

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

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. 

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

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:

• 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.

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: