Welcoming the Bank of England’s decision to keep interest rates on hold, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: "The decision to keep interest rates on hold is the right one given the mixed picture from recent economic data.   “Sluggish economic conditions in the near term will mean the prospect of a rate cut remains on the table. But with interes...

Commenting on the release of the Migration Advisory Committee’s report on the UK’s immigration system, published today, BCC Head of People Policy Jane Gratton said: “Businesses want a flexible immigration system that provides access to the staff they need, without costly delays or red tape. “While a reduction in the salary threshold is welcome and the list of eligible jobs has been expan...

Somerset Chamber has written to all the county's MPs and the Chief Executive of Somerset County Council, flagging the concerns of businesses who say the current broadband coverage is simply not fit for purpose. Half the respondents to a county-wide survey run by the Chamber said poor internet connections were already restricting their businesses – almost 10% said they had no broadband coverage ...

The UK’s five largest business organisations (BCC, CBI, FSB, IOD and MakeUK) - and around 30 trade associations, from hoteliers to universities, employing millions of people – have signed a letter to Rt Hon Priti Patel offering their help in designing a new immigration system. The signatories welcome recent indications from Government about reducing the £30k salary test and scrapping the net...

The jobs market remains buoyant, but a subdued economy, lingering uncertainty and persistent recruitment difficulties are beginning to weigh on firms’ hiring decisions, the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show. Commenting on the ONS labour market figures for January 2020, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The jobs market re...

The UK Chancellor Sajid Javid has quashed any prospect of the Treasury lending its support to big manufacturing sectors which favour alignment with EU regulations post-Brexit. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said: “There will not be alignment, we will not be a ruletaker, we will not be in the single market and we will not be in the customs union — and we will do this by the end o...

Entries for the Somerset Education Business Awards 2020 are now open! The Somerset Education Business Partnership Awards are open for entries until March 13, 2020. The awards celebrate the hard work of all who inspire young people and develop future skills and talent across the county. Do you know someone who has inspired a young person about their future career choices or has your business pro...

SOMERSET’S transport infrastructure will come under the spotlight at Somerset Chamber of Commerce’s first business breakfast of 2020. Nick Aldworth Regional Delivery Director for Highways England (South West) will be joined by Somerset County Council cabinet members Cllr David Hall, who holds the economic development, planning and community infrastructure portfolio and Cllr John Woodman, wh...

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey reveals that the UK ended 2019 in stagnation, amid long term uncertainty, rising business costs and a slowing global economy.  The latest results of the survey – which is the largest of its kind in the UK and a leading indicator of GDP growth - found protracted weakness across most indicators of economic health in the final quart...

Commenting on the announcement that the new National Living Wage will be set at £8.72, with the National Minimum Wage increasing across all age groups, British Chambers of Commerce Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said: “Businesses want to pay their staff a good wage. They recognise and support the drive to improve living standards. But many have struggled with increased costs in a time of gr...

The Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Dr Adam Marshall has welcomed the end to the Westminster deadlock on Brexit but said there was still a long way to go for businesses. He was speaking after last Friday’s vote on the Government’s Brexit Withdrawal Bill, which was the first step towards leaving the EU on 31 January. The bill will now undergo further scrutiny in Par...

Somerset Chamber Chief Executive Stephen Henagulph has welcomed the first Queen’s Speech following the general election and said he hoped it would be the first step towards giving businesses the certainty they needed to invest, recruit and expand. He said the last 12 months of political impasse had been extremely difficult for businesses but the Government’s pledge to focus on Brexit was good...

Weston College celebrated the outstanding success of staff and key strategic partners in 2019 at the Governor’s Christmas Party last Thursday – including Stephen Henagulph, the Chief Executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce. The event was held in the Winter Gardens, and attended by over 300 people, including staff, governors, employers and local dignitaries.  Stephen was recognised for his...

Somerset Chamber Chief Executive Stephen Henagulph said last week’s general election should give businesses some certainty and welcomed the new-look Government’s pledge that it would invest in infrastructure. Mr Henagulph was interviewed by both ITV Westcountry and BBC Somerset in the wake of last Thursday’s general election, which saw the Conservatives gain an 80-seat majority. He stresse...

Congratulating the Prime Minister on his election victory, as reported at 7am, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said: “Restoring business, investor and consumer confidence – and firing up the economy – must now be the Prime Minister’s top priority.   “Campaign slogans must give way to a renewed focus on the details that matter. Our business communities need to see swift, decisiv...