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...

Somerset Chamber’s Membership Manager Ritchie Cridge has raised more than £5,700 for St Margaret’s Hospice in memory of his grandad, Derek Cridge. For the last year, Ritchie has run 5k every day to raise money for the hospice which cared for his grandad, who died of lung cancer due to asbestos in 2014. Ritchie’s family and friends, as well as Somerset Chamber members, turned out in force ...

Businesses keen to get the edge over would-be rivals have been given some top tips on how to submit a potentially winning entry in this year’s Somerset Business Awards. Organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, the awards celebrate the best of Somerset businesses and their achievements in 14 different categories across all industries and sectors. Judges and previous winners were on-hand ...

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey – the largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth, closely watched by policymakers including the Bank of England – has found that underlying economic conditions remained stagnant in the second quarter of 2019.The balance of manufacturing firms reporting improved domestic order...

Somerset Chamber Chief Executive Stephen Henagulph has welcomed confirmation of the preferred route for the new A358 dual-carriageway between Taunton and Ilminster, but urged caution as there is still no timescale in place for the upgrade to be carried out. Speaking on BBC Somerset this morning (Friday, 28 June), Mr Henagulph said anything which improved journey times to Taunton and the M5 from t...

New research by the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with global job site Indeed, reveals the increasing time it’s taking businesses to recruit the skills they need, emphasising the importance of removing blockers in the training system to develop a pipeline of talent. Today the BCC and Indeed also release The Hiring Handbook to help businesses find and recruit the best people. Hal...

Ambitious plans for business growth, more jobs and sustainable transport links in the Somer Valley area have been given a boost with additional investment from the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). WECA approved the outline business case for the £12m Somer Valley Enterprise Zone and awarded £746,000 to Bath & North East Somerset Council to support the £1.151m development phase for...

Commenting on the inflation statistics for May 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said he believed inflation would remain muted and close to the Bank of England’s 2% target. He said: “The easing in consumer prices in May is further evidence that the current trajectory for inflation remains mute...

Are my plans for expansion more important than my investment in staff training? I’ve only been in business six months, is it worth me entering? So, what makes an outstanding achievement? If you’re thinking about entering the Somerset Business Awards 2019, these are just some of the questions our expert panel will be able to help you with at our popular Somerset Business Awards: The Benefits o...

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today (Monday) released its latest economic forecast, upgrading its growth expectations for the UK in 2019 to 1.3% (from 1.2%). However, the leading business group has downgraded its growth forecast for 2020 to 1.0% (from 1.3%) and to 1.2% (from 1.4%) in 2021. The BCC slightly upgraded its growth forecast for 2019, driven by the exceptionally rapid stock...

The media focus may be on who is in the running for the leadership of the Conservative Party, but outside of the spotlight, Chambers of Commerce across the country are still working with both members and the British Chambers of Commerce to prepare for Brexit and the current ongoing uncertainty. Since the referendum in 2016, the Chamber of Commerce Network has been working with members to identify...