Local Support, International Reach
Responding to the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech, Kate Shoesmith, Policy Director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There were clear themes in tonight’s speech by the Chancellor that businesses will hope are carried on by Andy Burnham’s new administration. “Over the last two years, the Chancellor has supported...
Read moreReacting to news of an upgraded free trade agreement with Switzerland, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This is an important upgrade as Switzerland is one of the UK’s largest trading partners, especially in services. It will provide welcome certainty for thousands of companies in...
Read moreTens of thousands of small businesses to receive a boost, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces most significant reforms to small business finance in years. The changes will help businesses grow, invest and create jobs across the country, and come ahead of the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech on Tuesday. It...
Read moreLess than a quarter (23%) of firms are expecting to increase the size of their workforce over the coming months, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The BCC’s Quarterly Recruitment Outlook shows most businesses (66%) are planning to keep with their existing staffing...
Read moreA pioneering scheme for business-led skills planning in England has been given the green light for another three years by the government. Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) have been running for four years and have engaged thousands of people and employers in the training and education that firms desperately need. There are 39 LSIPs in England and 33 of them...
Read moreThe future of skills in the county has taken a major step forward with the launch of the new Greater Essex Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) 2026-2029. Essex is one of 39 areas targeted nationally for the mandated programme of work laid out by Government. Fronted by the Essex...
Read moreNew plans published on 10 July will make sure local training equips people with skills needed by local employers. A total of 39 Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs), covering the upcoming three years, have been unveiled across England. They provide detailed insight and analysis into what priority economic sectors...
Read moreWe couldn’t have ask for a better start to July than our Chambers Annual Golf Day! It was an absolute pleasure to welcome players back to the immaculate course at Canons Brook Golf and Country Club in the heart of Harlow. This was our second consecutive year at Canons...
Read moreThe proportion of firms planning to increase investment has fallen to its lowest level since the pandemic, according to the latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey. The UK’s largest independent business sentiment survey also shows confidence weakened in Q2, with fewer firms increasing sales and inflation...
Read moreReacting to the release of the Defence Investment Plan, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The release of this spending plan is long overdue. Businesses have been patiently waiting to get a better understanding of the government’s priorities and how these dovetail with...
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