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

• Over half of UK businesses did not attempt to access finance in the last year
• One-in-two businesses that did seek finance did so because of cash flow
• Investment intentions are focused on incremental investments

Works officially began on the i-Worx project following the sod-cutting ceremony on the 16th April. 

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.

Ahead of the Budget on November 22, the British Chambers of Commerce is urging the Chancellor to provide respite for businesses in every corner of the country by freezing business rates for the next two years.

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget on November 22, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the government to take immediate action to halt the expected 3.9% increase in business rates valuations next year, as part of a bold Budget that seeks to boost the UK’s productivity.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its medium-term outlook for the UK economy over the next few years. While the BCC has slightly upgraded its UK growth forecast for 2017 from 1.5% to 1.6%, its growth expectations for 2018 and 2019 have been cut from 1.3% to 1.2%, and 1.5% to 1.4% respectively.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today upgraded its UK GDP growth forecast for 2017 from 1.1% to 1.4%. However, it has downgraded its expectations slightly for 2018 from 1.4% to 1.3%, and published its first forecast for 2019 of 1.5% growth.

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

How local people are benefitting from business investment.

Bedfordshire is on a roll at the moment. From the Airlander project at Cardington to progress in plans for a new stadium for the Hatters, there is a real sense of economic momentum across the region.

Hybrid Air Vehicles, the Cardington based designer and manufacturer of Airlander, the largest aircraft in the world, has reached a staggering £900,000 equity raise since opening up a crowdfunding round on Crowdcube, UK’s leading equity crowdfunding platform.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today downgraded its UK GDP growth forecast, from 2.5% to 2.2% in 2016, and from 2.5% to 2.3% in 2017; for 2018, included for the first time in the forecast, GDP growth of 2.4% is predicted.

In a full response to the Autumn Statement and Spending Review, Cheryl Smart MBE, Chief Executive said:

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has upgraded its UK GDP growth forecast for the next three years, from 2.3% to 2.6% in 2015, 2.6% to 2.7% in 2016, and 2.6% to 2.7% in 2017. The principal driver for the leading business group’s forecast upgrade is stronger than previously expected growth in both the UK’s service sector and consumer spending.

The UK government has taken a number of positive steps to support British business in the first parliamentary session since the election - but there are some areas of serious concern that remain unaddressed, says the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), one of the UK's largest and most influential business groups.

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey is the first major economic indicator of the year, and is closely watched by the Bank of England and the Treasury.
• Manufacturing and services firms reported somewhat weaker Q1 results in most areas (including exports, domestic markets and investment), but this follows very strong findings in Q4 2014.

UKTI have announced a new scheme where young entrepreneurs can apply for help setting up their business in the UK. Successful applicants will receive a 12-month start-up support package including investment, mentoring and logistical help. The scheme is available to final year university students or those who graduated in 2011 or later.

Commenting on the Chancellor's announcement to simply and streamline visa applications, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on the speech made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Conservative Party Conference today (Monday), John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Commenting on the  speech by the Labour Party leader, the Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: