The Chamber network has successfully lobbied the Government to automatically issue all VAT-registered companies with an Economic Operator (EORI) number. In the event of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October all UK businesses will need an EORI number to import and export with customers in the European Union – but the onus was on each individual company to apply for one. It had been estimated that arou...

Somerset’s Chamber of Commerce’s Chief Executive Stephen Henagulph was invited to take a closer look at the latest piece in Bridgwater’s transport puzzle – the new Colley Lane Southern Access Road. The scheme is an example of Somerset County Council’s ongoing commitment to investing in and successfully delivering major infrastructure projects. Good infrastructure is vital for business a...

Golfers got into the swing of it to raise £4,225 for Somerset charity We Hear You at Somerset Chamber of Commerce’s annual Charity Golf Day, which this year was held at Enmore Park Golf Club near Bridgwater. Teams of four made the most of the summer sunshine to tackle the course before enjoying a two-course dinner, presentations, plus a charity raffle and auction, with prizes generously donate...

The UK economy contracted 0.2% between April and June, its worst performance since 2012, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. Rob Kent-Smith, head of GDP at the ONS, said manufacturing output had fallen the construction sector had weakened and the Pound continue to slip in value. Commenting on the latest UK GDP statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, ...

Many UK exporters are treading water at a time of deep uncertainty, according to the latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with DHL. The survey of 3,400 exporters found nearly two-thirds (63%) of manufacturers report exchange rates as a concern to their business, indicating the pressure from sterling volatility. The results refle...

The deadline for the annual Somerset Business Awards 2019 has been extended by two weeks in light of the additional pressures faced by the county’s businesses as a result of Brexit. The awards are run by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and Chief Executive Stephen Henagulph said local businesses were facing unprecedented pressures and the very real prospect of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. M...

The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Totaljobs, has found that recruitment intentions strengthened in the second quarter of 2019, while difficulties finding suitable staff eased, but remained high by historic standards.60% of UK businesses attempted to recruit new hires in the previous three months, an increase from 53% in Q1. 6...

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. From the critical need to avoid a messy and disorderly Brexit on...

Commenting on the announcement that Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP has won the Conservative leadership contest and will be the next Prime Minister, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The message to Boris Johnson from business communities around the UK couldn’t be simpler: the time for campaigning is over — and we need you to get down to business. ...

BUSINESSES and charities across Somerset are being reminded there are just over two weeks left to enter the 2019 Somerset Business Awards. Businesses have until 9 August to enter the awards, which are organised annually by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce. They are free for all Somerset businesses to enter, not just Chamber members, while the prestigious awards themselves have a completely new lo...

Business is calling on the next Prime Minister to reduce the unsustainable cost of employing people in the UK. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of firms report the cost burden of employment has increased compared to five years ago, according to new research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and global job site Indeed. Based on the responses of over 900 firms from across the country, the survey...

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show inflation held steady in June but the ongoing Brexit uncertainty is hitting both consumer and business confidence, according to Sure Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Commenting on the ONS inflation statistics for June 2019, Mr Thiru said: “Inflation held steady in June, as the upward pressures f...

SOMERSET Chamber of Commerce is surveying businesses to find out if the county’s current internet provision is hampering growth and whether slow speeds are causing problems for day-to-day transactions and operations. Poor internet connections have long been highlighted as an issue by Chamber members and the survey, which has been launched this week in association with ultrafast broadband provid...

Brexit uncertainty is continuing to adversely affect the UK economy, despite the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showing a return to growth in May. According to Suren Thiru, Head of Economics for the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the UK economy is still faltering despite the latest statistics. The economy grew 0.3% from the month before, after declining 0.4% in...

Over half of UK businesses with staff from outside the UK would be negatively impacted by Government proposals for the UK’s future immigration system, according to new research released today (Tuesday) by the British Chambers of Commerce and global job site Indeed. According to a survey of 380 businesses that currently employ non-UK nationals, 53% report they would be negatively impacted by pro...