Responding to new national restrictions for England to combat a rising number of Coronavirus cases, announced by the Prime Minister today (22 September), British Chambers of Commerce Director General Adam Marshall said: “Businesses understand that further restrictions are necessary to tackle the rising number of Coronavirus cases, but these measures will impact business and consumer confidence a...

The board of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has announced that Director General Dr Adam Marshall will leave the organisation in the Spring of 2021.  Dr Marshall has been Director General of the leading business group for five years, and has been part of the leadership team of the BCC for almost 12 years. He leaves the organisation with an enhanced profile and impact, a stable financial p...

The UK unemployment rate has risen to its highest level for almost two years, according to the latest labour market figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The unemployment rate grew to 4.1% in the three months to July, compared with 3.9% previously. Young people were particularly hard-hit, with those aged 16 to 24 suffering the biggest drop in employment compared with othe...

In a letter to the Prime Minister, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) President Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith has said businesses face “the most difficult trading conditions in post-war history” and set out a series of measures to help Government take a “sharper approach” to restarting the UK economy.   The letter follows the BCC's recent research which points to a sustained economic dif...

The UK economy grew by 6.6% in July, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the third month in a row it has expanded, but output remains far below pre-pandemic levels, with just over half of the lost output pre-COVID-19 recovered. The UK's economy is still 11.7% smaller than it was in February and growth in July was smaller than the 8.7% expansion seen in June. Commenting on GDP ...

Businesses in England required to close due to local lockdowns or targeted restrictions will now be able to receive grants worth up to £1,500 every three weeks, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay has announced. To be eligible for the grant, a business must have been required to close due to local COVID-19 restrictions. The largest businesses will receive £1,500 every three weeks they...

Results from a British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) poll, conducted in partnership with banking group TSB, reveal that many firms have taken on debt during the pandemic and require flexible repayment solutions to rebuild their revenues and avoid an unsustainable debt crisis. Those who haven’t taken on debt, but may yet need to, favour flexible business banking services that adapt to their needs: ...

Somerset Chamber of Commerce is supporting the Department for Works and Pensions and the Government by acting as an official representative to help small businesses get involved in the Kickstart Scheme. The scheme enables employers to offer Government-subsidised work placements for young people aged between 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Businesses...

Local BBC journalist and broadcaster Claire Carter will host the gala black-tie awards ceremony for the Somerset Business Awards 2021, while entrants can get some top tips on how to submit the best possible entry at a special online workshop next month. Businesses have until November 27 to submit their entries via the Somerset Business Awards website www.somersetbusinessawards.org.uk and can find...

If you missed the bi-weekly update with Somerset Chamber's CEO Stephen Henagulph, or dialled in and need additional information, you'll find all the links here to Government websites, statistics and others which were discussed this morning. Official information for employers about regulated exam results in England: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employer-guide-to-results-for-regulated...

Results from the latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Coronavirus Business  Tracker reveal that business conditions improved only moderately in the weeks since the UK economy suffered an historic contraction in Q2 2020, with firms still reporting high levels of reliance on government support schemes to help stem cashflow issues.  38 per cent of firms reported improved revenue from UK ...

Entries will open on September 1 for the county’s biggest and most prestigious annual business awards - the Somerset Business Awards organised by Somerset Chamber of Commerce – to give businesses the chance to celebrate their achievements in what has been a particularly challenging year. Although later than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual awards are returning with new categorie...

Research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in partnership with Mobile UK, has underlined the importance of good quality mobile coverage to enable firms to restart and maintain operations successfully after the COVID-19 pandemic.  The two organisations are calling on the Government to work with industry leaders to bring forward urgently plans that will remove unnecessary barriers to im...

The UK economy suffered its biggest slump on record between April and June, shrinking 20.4% compared with the first three months of the year as Coronavirus lockdown measures hit. Household spending plunged as shops were ordered to close, while factory and construction output also fell, pushing the UK into its first technical recession - defined as two consecutive quarters of economic decline - si...

Employment in the UK fell by the largest amount in over a decade between April and June, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. It was the largest quarterly decrease since May to July 2009, with the youngest workers, oldest workers and those in manual occupations were the worst hit during the pandemic, the ONS added. The UK unemployment rate was estimated at 3.9...