News

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

Back to School and Work Amid the ‘New Normal’: Continuing Consequences of the Pandemic on Our Health and Wellbeing

What Does the ‘New Normal’ Mean for Our Wellbeing?

Children have returned to school, many people are returning to the office and we’re living the ‘new normal’ – but what impact have recent events really had on our community?

The pandemic has caused considerable changes in our lives, especially for children and young people. While some have adjusted easily, others have struggled with the challenges, and experienced unwanted feelings, low mood, and anxiety.

Read More

70 days to Brexit: 6 steps to importing and exporting after Brexit

Once the UK reaches the end of the Brexit transition period, in just 70 days time, the process for importing and exporting goods to and from the EU will fundamentally change.

Read More

90 days to Brexit: Are you ready? Here's your Brexit Checklist

With just 90 days to go until the end of the Brexit transition period, it’s remarkable to think that we still don’t know whether Britain will be leaving the EU with a deal. The chances of a ‘No Deal Brexit’ are rising, but an agreement is still possible.

Read More

BCC responds to post-Brexit border controls

Commenting on the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:

“Businesses need the two sides to knuckle down and agree a deal.

Read More

BCC comments on UK’s official departure from the EU

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

Read More

BCC and Bibby Financial Services: Uncertainty around Brexit, tariffs and exchange rates holding back UK exports


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

Read More

BCC Quarterly Economic Survey Q3 2019: Economic conditions weaken as manufacturing slump continues

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

Read More

BCC forecast: Business investment and productivity sinking amid Brexit stalemate and global slowdown

The British Chambers of Commerce has today released its latest economic forecast, downgrading growth expectations for the UK in 2019 to 1.2%

Read More

Brexit and beyond: what should small businesses expect?

Back in March this year, we wrote a blog post advising small businesses on how to prepare for the UK leaving the EU. At the time, we were approaching the original Brexit date of March 29 2019.

Read More

BCC: Business still unable to prepare fully for a no deal Brexit

New research from the British Chambers of Commerce shows a concerningly high number of UK firms aren’t ready for a no deal Brexit. Business has consistently called on government to avoid a messy and disorderly exit but in light of the political turmoil and relentless uncertainty, clearer and more consistent information is needed to help them prepare.

Read More

BCC: Political turbulence taking real-world toll

Responding to the latest Westminster developments, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Businesses feel like Westminster is playing an endless game of political chess, while their futures and the health of the UK economy hang in the balance.

Read More

BCC: Economy hits the buffers in Q2

Commenting on the latest UK GDP statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The latest figures suggest that the UK economy hit the buffers in the second quarter. We’re seeing the unwinding of heightened levels of stockpiling, growing

Read More

BCC to PM: Now time to get down to business

Today the British Chambers of Commerce – which represents 75,000 firms of all sizes and sectors, employing 6 million people – has written to incoming Prime Minister Boris Johnson setting out 15 urgent, immediate steps that the PM must address on arrival in Downing Street to boost business confidence and stimulate the UK economy.

Read More

BCC/DHL: Weak first quarter for UK exporters

More UK exporters are reporting a decrease in orders in the opening quarter of the year, with cashflow and confidence dipping too according to the latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with DHL. 
Read More

BCC comments on inflation statistics

Commenting on the inflation statistics for April 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 
Read More

Business threats in the age of Brexit

We’re yet to determine the exact impact of Brexit on the UK. Never has a country left the EU under such circumstances before, which isn't great news for the forward planners amongst us, and of course, business owners.

Read More

BCC: Business communities still have little sense of Brexit destination

Commenting on the Prime Minister's announcement she will seek to extend the Brexit deadline, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The clock is still ticking, and avoiding a messy and disorderly exit from the EU is still the top priority

Read More

BCC Forecast: UK economy to falter further as Brexit uncertainty bites

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its growth expectations for the UK economy, forecasting growth of just 1.2% in 2019 (down from 1.3%), which if realised would be the weakest growth in a decade. 
Read More

BCC comments on Article 50 vote: Businesses still in the danger zone

Commenting on the parliamentary vote on extending Article 50, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“While most businesses will support an extension to Article 50 to avert the prospect of a messy and disorderly exit on the March 29th,
Read More

BCC comments on no-deal Brexit vote

Commenting on the Parliamentary vote on the motion to rule out leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: UK economy continuing to slow under weight of Brexit uncertainty

Commenting on the latest UK GDP and trade statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Although there was an increase in GDP growth between December and January,
Read More

Preparing your business for Brexit

The uncertainty and frustration gripping the UK right now are palpable.

And as further ambiguity weaves its way through Brexit proceedings and negotiations, the majority of us are still unaware of how to prepare, or provide solutions and definitive advice to our workforces and peers.

Read More

BCC: Disappointing lack of progress on continuity trade agreements

Commenting on the latest update to existing trade agreements if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: Government must listen to business on tariffs

Commenting on reports that the Cabinet is considering options around making imports tariff-free across the board if we leave the EU next month without a deal, Adam Marshall, Director General of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 

Read More

BCC comments on no deal customs announcement

Commenting on the announcement by HMRC on Transitional Simplified Procedures for customs in the case of no deal, Ronan Quigley, Executive Director responsible for Trade at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
Read More

Another day lost while the clock is ticking

Commenting on the latest votes in Parliament on Brexit, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BREXIT BRIEFING Written by PNC

Recruitment & Retention/Right to Work and Reside
This has immediate impact and is one that is already affecting employers, this relates to the status of EU nationals currently working in the UK.

Read More

BCC responds to result of meaningful vote

Responding to the Parliamentary defeat of the Meaningful Vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
Read More

BCC QES: Big squeeze on firms from recruitment, prices and cash flow

The British Chambers of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey – the UK’s largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth

Read More

British business says no to no-deal in 100 days’ time

The UK’s five leading business groups, representing hundreds of thousands of businesses across the United Kingdom employing millions of people, today unite 

Read More

Back to School and Work Amid the ‘New Normal’: Continuing Consequences of the Pandemic on Our Health and Wellbeing

What Does the ‘New Normal’ Mean for Our Wellbeing?

Children have returned to school, many people are returning to the office and we’re living the ‘new normal’ – but what impact have recent events really had on our community?

The pandemic has caused considerable changes in our lives, especially for children and young people. While some have adjusted easily, others have struggled with the challenges, and experienced unwanted feelings, low mood, and anxiety.

Read More

70 days to Brexit: 6 steps to importing and exporting after Brexit

Once the UK reaches the end of the Brexit transition period, in just 70 days time, the process for importing and exporting goods to and from the EU will fundamentally change.

Read More

90 days to Brexit: Are you ready? Here's your Brexit Checklist

With just 90 days to go until the end of the Brexit transition period, it’s remarkable to think that we still don’t know whether Britain will be leaving the EU with a deal. The chances of a ‘No Deal Brexit’ are rising, but an agreement is still possible.

Read More

BCC responds to post-Brexit border controls

Commenting on the ongoing negotiations between the UK and the EU, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said:

“Businesses need the two sides to knuckle down and agree a deal.

Read More

BCC comments on UK’s official departure from the EU

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

Read More

BCC and Bibby Financial Services: Uncertainty around Brexit, tariffs and exchange rates holding back UK exports


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

Read More

BCC Quarterly Economic Survey Q3 2019: Economic conditions weaken as manufacturing slump continues

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

Read More

BCC forecast: Business investment and productivity sinking amid Brexit stalemate and global slowdown

The British Chambers of Commerce has today released its latest economic forecast, downgrading growth expectations for the UK in 2019 to 1.2%

Read More

Brexit and beyond: what should small businesses expect?

Back in March this year, we wrote a blog post advising small businesses on how to prepare for the UK leaving the EU. At the time, we were approaching the original Brexit date of March 29 2019.

Read More

BCC: Business still unable to prepare fully for a no deal Brexit

New research from the British Chambers of Commerce shows a concerningly high number of UK firms aren’t ready for a no deal Brexit. Business has consistently called on government to avoid a messy and disorderly exit but in light of the political turmoil and relentless uncertainty, clearer and more consistent information is needed to help them prepare.

Read More

BCC/DHL: Weak first quarter for UK exporters

More UK exporters are reporting a decrease in orders in the opening quarter of the year, with cashflow and confidence dipping too according to the latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with DHL. 
Read More

BCC comments on inflation statistics

Commenting on the inflation statistics for April 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 
Read More

Business threats in the age of Brexit

We’re yet to determine the exact impact of Brexit on the UK. Never has a country left the EU under such circumstances before, which isn't great news for the forward planners amongst us, and of course, business owners.

Read More

BCC: Business communities still have little sense of Brexit destination

Commenting on the Prime Minister's announcement she will seek to extend the Brexit deadline, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The clock is still ticking, and avoiding a messy and disorderly exit from the EU is still the top priority

Read More

BCC Forecast: UK economy to falter further as Brexit uncertainty bites

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its growth expectations for the UK economy, forecasting growth of just 1.2% in 2019 (down from 1.3%), which if realised would be the weakest growth in a decade. 
Read More

BCC comments on Article 50 vote: Businesses still in the danger zone

Commenting on the parliamentary vote on extending Article 50, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“While most businesses will support an extension to Article 50 to avert the prospect of a messy and disorderly exit on the March 29th,
Read More

BCC comments on no-deal Brexit vote

Commenting on the Parliamentary vote on the motion to rule out leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: UK economy continuing to slow under weight of Brexit uncertainty

Commenting on the latest UK GDP and trade statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Although there was an increase in GDP growth between December and January,
Read More

Preparing your business for Brexit

The uncertainty and frustration gripping the UK right now are palpable.

And as further ambiguity weaves its way through Brexit proceedings and negotiations, the majority of us are still unaware of how to prepare, or provide solutions and definitive advice to our workforces and peers.

Read More

BCC: Disappointing lack of progress on continuity trade agreements

Commenting on the latest update to existing trade agreements if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: Government must listen to business on tariffs

Commenting on reports that the Cabinet is considering options around making imports tariff-free across the board if we leave the EU next month without a deal, Adam Marshall, Director General of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 

Read More

BCC comments on no deal customs announcement

Commenting on the announcement by HMRC on Transitional Simplified Procedures for customs in the case of no deal, Ronan Quigley, Executive Director responsible for Trade at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
Read More

Sign up to our eNewsletter