c2c welcomes the return of 12-car trains and more seats for passengers at Basildon station

15th December 2025

Local rail operator c2c Railway Limited has announced the return of 12 and 10-car trains to platform 2 at Basildon station following an intensive programme to stabilise and replace a section of the embankment and platform. c2c has welcomed the return of 12 and 10-car trains to platform 2...

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Water supply investment takes shape in Essex

15th December 2025

The latest phase of a £30m investment in water supply and improving the quality of drinking water for people in Essex is taking shape. Essex & Suffolk water is carrying out upgrades at Layer Water Treatment Works (WTW) that will ensure a resilient supply of clean, clear and great...

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New EU Customs Duties To Hit Small Businesses

15th December 2025

Reacting to the EU’s decision today on de minimis exemptions and new customs duties from 1 July 2026, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said:  “The decision to charge a flat customs duty of €3 on each commodity code for consignments worth less than €150 entering the EU will...

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Services Trade Flat As Goods Exports Rebound

12th December 2025

Reacting to the latest trade data for October from the Office for National Statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “Services export growth has been sluggish for several months and this trajectory continued in October. On goods, the rollercoaster ride of 2025 has continued with...

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Brilliant Breakfast and Relationship Building at Braxted Park Estate

11th December 2025

It was a pleasure to close our 2025 physical events programme at the stunning Braxted Park Estate. Attendees joined us bright and early to celebrate the successes of the past year and look ahead to the opportunities a new one will bring. Nestled in the heart of the Essex...

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North Sea Plan ‘Doomed To Fail’ Without Tax Change

11th December 2025

The BCC has reacted to the Government’s recently released North Sea Future Plan. It commented after accompanying Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce to HM Treasury to hand in a letter signed by 7,000 businesses and workers calling for the windfall tax to be axed. Ben Martin, Policy Manager...

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BCC Economic Forecast: Budget Unlikely to Be Growth Game Changer

11th December 2025

The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests last month’s Budget is unlikely to kickstart the UK economy. The first forecast by a major business organisation since the Chancellor’s statement shows the UK’s growth outlook will remain subdued. The key points: UK Economic Outlook      The UK economy...

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Boost for businesses as new powers save contracts for local areas

03rd December 2025

Billion pound boost for small businesses as councils get new powers to save contracts for local communities. Small businesses are set to benefit from £1 billion of funds every year through laws proposed today allowing local authorities to reserve some contracts for suppliers in their area. These reforms are...

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Extension of pay as you go contactless ticketing to 20 additional Greater Anglia stations postponed until summer 2026

03rd December 2025

Greater Anglia has today (3 December) confirmed that the planned extension of pay as you go contactless ticketing to a further 20 stations across its network, announced last month, has been postponed and is now expected to take place in summer 2026. During detailed testing, issues were identified that...

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Pharmaceuticals Deal A Welcome Boost For UK

02nd December 2025

Reacting to news of a pharmaceuticals deal with the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The original trade deal, agreed with the US in May, promised preferential outcomes on pharmaceuticals tariffs for the UK. We are pleased to see this has now been delivered,...

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