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

• BCC Director General, John Longworth will address the business group’s Annual Conference at the QEII Conference Centre, Westminster at 09.45am on Today
• Keynote speakers include: Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP; Rt Hon Michael Gove MP; Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP; Rt Hon Ed Balls  MP; Karren Brady; Theo Paphitis and chief executives of a range of UK businesses
• Media can register for a free press pass by contacting the press office Today, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) will hold its Annual Conference at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster. 

Commenting on the publication of the report, ‘Cut EU red tape’, which has been published by the Business Taskforce today (Tuesday), Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

BIS are giving businesses the opportunity to raise particular issues that they would like to see addressed in upcoming trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States. To help guide your feedback they  have provided a short questionnaire.

An EU regulation taskforce led by Business Innovation and Skills Minister Michael Fallon is looking for UK firms to help identify unnecessary EU regulations. The taskforce is asking businesses of all sizes and within all sectors to submit evidence of European rules and regulations that create unnecessary barriers to competitiveness,  including barriers to:

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:

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.

Economic developments in the eurozone is top of the list of issues businessowners believe will affect their firm this year and next, according to a poll of almost 2,000 firms released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Over half (52%) of firms believe that the eurozone crisis will have a significant influence on their business in 2012 and 2013, followed closely by cuts to UK public sector budgets (46% of businesses), and access to finance (42% of businesses).