Labour Market Update: Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners – February 2025

19th February 2025

Yesterday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the latest labour market data including insights on the unemployment rate, economic inactivity, vacancies, and pay growth. Recruitment experts, Pertemps, have produced a summary of the data for small businesses. Overall trends – February 2025 Market Overview: Between October and December...

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Labour Market Update: Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners – January 2025

21st January 2025

Today, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the latest labour market data including insights on the unemployment rate, economic inactivity, vacancies, and pay growth. Recruitment experts, Pertemps, have produced a summary of the data for small businesses. Overall trends – January 2025 Market Overview: Between September to November...

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New skills hubs launched to get Britain building

22nd November 2024

Thousands more apprentice construction workers will be hired each year to build homes and kickstart growth, through new skills hubs funded by industry leaders. 5,000 more construction apprenticeship places will be made available per year thanks to £140m industry investment to get Britain building again. A total of 32...

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Essex Chambers of Commerce are Proud to Announce Essex County Council as Headline Sponsors for the Festival of Business 2024

27th September 2024

The Essex Chambers of Commerce are excited to announce Essex County Council as the headline sponsor of this year’s Festival of Business. Taking place at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Wednesday 13 November, the event will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts from across the county and beyond,...

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First report from Skills England

25th September 2024

The Government have announced an overhaul to apprenticeships to support opportunity. The first report from Skills England, the government’s new body for the skills system, has also been published which you can view here.     Joanne Giles, Director of the Essex LSIP said: “Skills shortages are a major concern for Essex businesses,...

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Planning Reform Must ‘Move Ahead at Pace’ 

25th September 2024

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for swift action by the Government to reform planning in England, to help stimulate business investment and unlock growth.  In a submission to the consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) the BCC is urging ministers to...

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BCC Reacts to Prime Minister’s Conference Speech

24th September 2024

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Prime Minister rightly set out the importance of stabilising and growing the economy during his speech. Businesses stand ready to work in partnership with Government to reach those goals. “Firms also wanted to hear an upbeat plan...

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Essex needs to agree a mayoral deal with government

24th September 2024

The government has invited local areas to put forward expressions of interest in negotiating devolution deals and Essex is expected to submit a proposal by 30 September, covering the whole of Essex, that is Essex County (with its twelve districts) and the unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock. Essex...

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BCC reacts to Chancellor’s speech 

23rd September 2024

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:   “It was encouraging to hear the Chancellor recognising the huge potential of British business to grow the economy and her ambition to make that happen.  “Today’s speech has set the scene for her first budget which will be a huge moment to...

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Cautious Approach on Rates Continues

19th September 2024

Reacting to the Bank of England’s decision to hold the interest rate at 5%, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s decision by the MPC to hold the interest rate at 5% is as expected and shows the Bank is taking a cautious...

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