UK businesses are even less satisfied with UK infrastructure than they were a year ago, according to research published today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Stagecoach.   The survey of 1,200 business leaders finds that only around one third (35%) of UK businesses feel that the UK road network is meeting their needs when reaching customers, suppliers, and employees. This is a redu...

A new Chairman has taken over at the helm of Somerset Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and will be joined by a host of new faces, representing businesses from across the county. Businesswoman Helen Lacey, Managing Director of Red Berry Recruitment which has offices in Yeovil and Shepton Mallet, took over the chairmanship from outgoing Chairman Greg Saunders, Director of Stanhurst Consul...

The percentage of UK firms facing recruitment difficulties has returned to previous highs, while one in four businesses expect to increase headcount according to the UK’s largest survey of employers.   The latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Totaljobs, reveals that almost three-quarters (73 per cent) of businesses who attempted to re...

A majority of UK manufacturing exporters are reporting a worsening in sales and orders, with indicators showing a substantial drop compared to 2017 and 2018 levels.  The Quarterly International Trade Outlook for Q3 2019, released by British Chambers of Commerce and DHL today, reveals that indicators for exporting manufacturers in Q3 2019 have undergone large declines, with several key indicators...

Avoiding a no-deal Brexit and delivering an urgent confidence boost through action on infrastructure, immigration, skills and business costs must be at the forefront of the next Government’s agenda, says the British Chambers of Commerce.  2020 and beyond: business priorities for the next UK Government – compiled with input from the 53 accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK and the BC...

One of Somerset Chamber's longest standing members has become a Businesses Partner. Local solicitors Clarke Willmott have been long term supporters of the Chamber and the Somerset Business Awards, sponsoring the popular Charity of The Year award for the last six years.   Chris Thorne, Partner and Head of Taunton office, said: “We are delighted to enter into a new partnership with the Some...

Figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed growth in the UK economy has slowed to its lowest rate in almost a decade. Year-on-year GDP growth slowed to 1% in the three months to the end of September - the lowest since the first three months of 2010. The economy avoided recession after expanding 0.3% in the three months to the end of September - the economy shrunk in the second...

The winner of the iPad from the Somerset Chamber of Commerce broadband survey was presented with their prize today by sponsors Truespeed. James O’Sullivan, of O’Sullivans Chartered Accountants, completed the survey which aimed to highlight the demand for broadband across the region.  James noted that as an accountant he was increasingly reliant on a reliable and fast connection as more ser...

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that in the year to April 2019, the gender pay gap for full-time workers rose to 8.9% - up from 8.6% the previous year. But for people under 40, the gap for full-time employees was close to zero. The gender pay gap is the percentage difference between average hourly earnings for men and women. Responding to the ONS gender pay g...

THE winners of the 2019 Somerset Business Awards were announced on Friday, 25 October, at a glittering black-tie event at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, in Weston-super-Mare. Nearly 400 business people from across Somerset attended the gala evening, which was organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Somerset cricket legend Peter Trego. The 2019 finalists came from all corners of the...

The BEIS Business Brexit Helpline - 0300 2000 900 - goes live today. This is a single helpline that will direct calls to the appropriate Government department or one of the existing BEIS helplines (the Enquiry Unit, the Business Support Helpline, and the Office for Product Safety and Standards Contact Centre). The helpline will be open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. A spokesman for BEIS said t...

It’s riskier to cycle across London on a bicycle than it is to export, that was the message given to the 500 delegates who attended the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) International Trade Summit in London in October. Leading businesses were joined by High Commissioners, politicians and trade experts for the event which highlighted trading opportunities, policies and good practice across ...

Commenting on Saturday’s Parliamentary debate, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “While the Parliamentary drama continues, in the real world businesses wait anxiously for a clear outcome. “In the coming days the onus is on the Government to answer the many questions businesses are posing on the Prime Minister’s deal – and its potential i...

Commenting on the announcement that the UK and EU negotiators have come to an agreement, Dr Adam Marshall of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Business communities will recognise the huge efforts by UK and EU negotiators to reach an agreement. Understandably, many businesses will reserve judgment until they see the detail.      “Businesses need a chance to analyse precisely...

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has automatically registered 95,000 VAT-registered businesses for its simplified import procedures allowing most traders up to six months to pay import duties and submit customs declarations, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October. The scheme, known as Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP), will make importing after Brexit on 31 October much simpler,...