News

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

From furlough to un-furlough and beyond; important tips for employers

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is due to end on October 31, and is already being tapered out to help get the economy back on track. So for many businesses, if they haven’t already, now is the time to start considering if, when and how they can bring back their furloughed employees.

Read More

Onboarding tips from Bedfordshire Business Ambassador hrworksmart

The onboarding process is one of the most important parts of an employee’s experience and it sets a precedent for what they can expect from their new employer. You only get one chance to make a great first impression and for new employees the first few weeks are critical.

Read More

Is your workplace environment damaging productivity?

Despite the fact that we spend an average of 13 years of our life at work, the workplace environment hasn't always gotten the attention it deserves.

Read More

BCC: Labour market remains robust, but earnings slowdown concerning

Commenting on the labour market figures for June 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Major New Inward Investments by Aldi and B&M to Create 1,400 New Jobs in Bedford Borough

Two major new regional distribution centres are to be built in Bedford Borough for popular nationwide retailers which will create an estimated 1,400 new jobs for the area.

Read More

Are your employees your biggest business growth strategy?

Any business owner knows that their workforce is their most valuable asset. Hard-working, loyal, and dedicated people can be the answer to steadfast growth.

Read More

FREE Employment Health Check

In the month of January, Machins Employment Team are offering your business a free health check of your employment contracts and staff policies.

Read More

4 in 5 businesses hit by rising employment costs

Around 4 in every 5 businesses have seen their costs increase this year through changes in employment legislation, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

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Quarterly Economic Survey: Solid economic growth likely in Q1 but inflation remains a key risk

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

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The strangest excuses for not paying the National Minimum Wage

The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy has published a list of the strangest excuses for underpaying National Minimum Wage.

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Queen’s Speech: Action, not words and bills, is what matters for business

Giving his reaction to the Queen’s Speech announced today, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

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BCC & NEST auto-enrolment guide

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and NEST (National Employment Savings Trust) have created a business guide to auto-enrolment, designed to help employers plan for legal changes to workplace pensions. 

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THSP adds to Employment Law and HR Service

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce member THSP (The Health and Safety People) is delighted to announce exciting changes to its Employment Law services which now includes an enhanced level of benefits for its clients.

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PM's pro-business vision achievable

Commenting on Prime Minister David Cameron's speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

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Great British Workforce

‘The Great British Workforce Revolution’ Conference.
London. 9.00 am – 6.00pm Wednesday 16th October 2013.

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Ensure young employable

Commenting on today’s GCSE results, John Wastnage, Employment and Skills Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Read More

Skills route to employment

Commenting on today’s A-Level results, John Wastnage, Employment and Skills Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Read More

Efforts needed to create jobs

  • 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
Read More

BCC: Prepare young for work

Ahead of A-Level results, the BCC calls for greater contact between young people and business to help pupils make better informed career choices. The business organisation set all MPs the challenge of finding first hand from employers what prevents them from hiring young people.

Read More

THSP expands expertise

THSP

Sandy based health and safety and employment law consultancy THSP is pleased to announce the appointment of Glen London as it expands its support for clients for Employment Relations and Employment Law advice.

Read More

Employment Law Newsletter

A new service is being offered to clients of Risk Management Consultancy, THSP, to help them keep up to date with the complex world of Employment Law.  An ‘Employment Safe Newsletter’, published monthly, will focus on changes to Government legislation as well as highlighting possible implications and potential pitfalls of these changes to employers.  

Read More

Bold policies needed for growth

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

Read More

BCC: Minimum Wage rise

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:

Read More

BCC: Budget 2013

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

Read More

Keep the spring in your step

Spring

The latest workplace absence figures published in 2012 show that musculoskeletal problems such as back, neck, shoulder and knee pain are still proving to be a huge issue for people across the UK, blighting the lives of millions.

Read More

Timely bad-weather advice

Snowy road

Chamber members Peninsula Business Services Ltd. has issued some timely advice for employers during periods of bad weather.

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Work law changes boost

Commenting on today’s announcements on the Employment Law Review, published today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

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Government must put employers at the heart of apprenticeships

Commenting on the Richard Review on apprenticeships, Cheryl Smart MBE, Chief Executive of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce said:

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Seeking Chamber members to attend focus group on new auto-enrolment rules.

JobCentre Plus in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire are looking for five Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce members to take part in a 90 minute breakfast event in St Albans on auto-enrolment of pensions.

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UOB student crowned region's 'Student Employee of the Year'

University of Bedfordshire student Natalie Sibley has been crowned Student Employee of the Year.  Natalie, aged 22, from Melksham, Wilts, is studying for an MSc in Tourism and Events Manager at the University and is also a part-time Recruitment Services Advisor.

Read More

From furlough to un-furlough and beyond; important tips for employers

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is due to end on October 31, and is already being tapered out to help get the economy back on track. So for many businesses, if they haven’t already, now is the time to start considering if, when and how they can bring back their furloughed employees.

Read More

Onboarding tips from Bedfordshire Business Ambassador hrworksmart

The onboarding process is one of the most important parts of an employee’s experience and it sets a precedent for what they can expect from their new employer. You only get one chance to make a great first impression and for new employees the first few weeks are critical.

Read More

Is your workplace environment damaging productivity?

Despite the fact that we spend an average of 13 years of our life at work, the workplace environment hasn't always gotten the attention it deserves.

Read More

BCC: Labour market remains robust, but earnings slowdown concerning

Commenting on the labour market figures for June 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Major New Inward Investments by Aldi and B&M to Create 1,400 New Jobs in Bedford Borough

Two major new regional distribution centres are to be built in Bedford Borough for popular nationwide retailers which will create an estimated 1,400 new jobs for the area.

Read More

Are your employees your biggest business growth strategy?

Any business owner knows that their workforce is their most valuable asset. Hard-working, loyal, and dedicated people can be the answer to steadfast growth.

Read More

FREE Employment Health Check

In the month of January, Machins Employment Team are offering your business a free health check of your employment contracts and staff policies.

Read More

4 in 5 businesses hit by rising employment costs

Around 4 in every 5 businesses have seen their costs increase this year through changes in employment legislation, according to a survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Read More

Quarterly Economic Survey: Solid economic growth likely in Q1 but inflation remains a key risk

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

Read More

The strangest excuses for not paying the National Minimum Wage

The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy has published a list of the strangest excuses for underpaying National Minimum Wage.

Read More

PM's pro-business vision achievable

Commenting on Prime Minister David Cameron's speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

Great British Workforce

‘The Great British Workforce Revolution’ Conference.
London. 9.00 am – 6.00pm Wednesday 16th October 2013.

Read More

Ensure young employable

Commenting on today’s GCSE results, John Wastnage, Employment and Skills Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Read More

Skills route to employment

Commenting on today’s A-Level results, John Wastnage, Employment and Skills Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

Read More

Efforts needed to create jobs

  • 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
Read More

BCC: Prepare young for work

Ahead of A-Level results, the BCC calls for greater contact between young people and business to help pupils make better informed career choices. The business organisation set all MPs the challenge of finding first hand from employers what prevents them from hiring young people.

Read More

THSP expands expertise

THSP

Sandy based health and safety and employment law consultancy THSP is pleased to announce the appointment of Glen London as it expands its support for clients for Employment Relations and Employment Law advice.

Read More

Employment Law Newsletter

A new service is being offered to clients of Risk Management Consultancy, THSP, to help them keep up to date with the complex world of Employment Law.  An ‘Employment Safe Newsletter’, published monthly, will focus on changes to Government legislation as well as highlighting possible implications and potential pitfalls of these changes to employers.  

Read More

Bold policies needed for growth

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

Read More

BCC: Minimum Wage rise

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:

Read More

BCC: Budget 2013

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

Read More

Keep the spring in your step

Spring

The latest workplace absence figures published in 2012 show that musculoskeletal problems such as back, neck, shoulder and knee pain are still proving to be a huge issue for people across the UK, blighting the lives of millions.

Read More

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