BCC responds to new national Coronavirus restrictions
Responding to new national restrictions for England to combat a rising number of Coronavirus cases, announced by the Prime Minister today (22 September), BCC 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 at a delicate time for the economy. "Businesses, their employees and customers need to see a clear road map for the existing
BCC responds to the opening of the Kickstart scheme
Commenting on the launch of the Kickstart scheme, allowing 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, BCC Head of People Policy Jane Gratton said: “At a time when cashflow is tight, this fully funded scheme will help employers bring young people into the workplace and develop new talent for the future.” “To be successful, Kickstart needs to create long-term, quality employment
BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker : Firms vulnerable as government schemes approach
Results from the latest 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 customersMore than 1 in 3 of businesses say they have three months or less worth of cash in reserve BCC continues to call for significant
BCC and Mobile UK: Remove barriers to improved mobile coverage and level up remote working
Research from the British Chambers of Commerce, 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 improving coverage and enhancing data capacity. The research found that: Nearly 80 per cent of respondents expect to
BCC responds to further easing of lockdown restrictions
Commenting on the government’s announcement that businesses in the beauty and leisure sectors will be allowed to reopen from tomorrow (Saturday 15 August), BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said:"Today's announcement will finally provide some hope for businesses that have so far been unable to reopen yet have worked hard to adapt their premises and keep their employees and customers safe. We must all continue to do our part, following public health advice and adhering to the measures that individual
BCC responds to ONS’ August labour market figures
Commenting on the ONS labour market figures for August 2020, published today, BCC Head of Economics Suren Thiru said: “While the headline data continues to lag behind the reality on the ground, the decline in the number of employees on payrolls and hours worked is further evidence of the damage being done to the UK labour market by the Coronavirus pandemic. “The furlough scheme has been successful in preserving millions of jobs. However, with firms continuing to face a perfect storm of
BCC responds to investment for Northern Ireland traders
Responding to today's announcements of £200m for a new Trader Support Service the BCC’s Director of Trade Facilitation Liam Smyth said:“Whilst the funding announcement for the Trader Support Service is welcome, we need to remember that the GB/NI Border model impacts businesses on both sides of the Irish Sea. “Customs controls that are implemented through electronic means are still controls. For businesses to remain compliant they will have to upskill staff, implement new processes and invest scarce
Announcing our Chamber Awards finalists
We’re proud to reveal our shortlist for the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Awards 2020. Each of the 20 businesses and individuals named below are now invited to our Chamber Awards ceremony later this year to recognise and promote the best of what businesses in Devon have to offer. Stuart Elford, CEO of Devon & Plymouth Chamber, said: “Thank you so much to each and every member who submitted an entry for this year’s Devon & Plymouth Chamber Awards. “We know how incredibly difficult the last
BCC responds to the postponement of lockdown easing
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement that the government will introduce new local restrictions and postpone the planned re-opening for some business from August 1st, BCC Co-Executive Director Claire Walker said: “While tackling the public health emergency must be the priority, these announcements - made at short notice - will be a hammer blow to business and consumer confidence at a time when many firms were just starting to get back on their feet. “Businesses communities need as much
BCC responds to Prime Minister’s speech setting out next steps in Coronavirus response
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech today (17 July), setting out the next steps in England’s Coronavirus response, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said:On new guidance for returning to the workplace: “Companies, in discussion with their employees, will decide how and when to return to offices safely. To take those decisions, businesses need crystal-clear official guidance. “Firms will be weighing up how they want to work in future. Many have seen benefits to productivity and work-life balance
Resurgam: jobs, skills and pounds for Plymouth
Keeping the pounds in Plymouth, skills development and a pipeline of construction that will keep people in work during a critical time for the city’s economy - those are the first projects under the spotlight as part of Resurgam - the city’s economic response to the challenges presented by Covid-19. The Council’s Cabinet meeting was given its first update of Resurgam - a plan to reduce the impact of Covid-19 and to deliver a more equal, sustainable and prosperous city. Council leader Tudor Evans said:
BCC responds to mandatory face coverings in shops and supermarkets
Commenting on the government’s announcement that wearing a face covering will be mandatory in shops and supermarkets in England from 24 July, BCC Co-Executive Director Claire Walker said: “Businesses need clarity on the approach to the wearing of face coverings that is consistent and supported by public health evidence. Shops and other indoor businesses need to know what the new rules are as soon as possible. “Updated guidance, including on enforcement, should be issued swiftly so firms can maintain their
BCC responds to ONS GDP figures
Commenting on GDP figures for May 2020 published today by the ONS, BCC Head of Economics Suren Thiru said: “The latest data confirms there was a modest rally in monthly UK GDP growth in May as restrictions started to ease. However, coming after unprecedented contractions in the previous two months, it does little to alter the UK’s historically downbeat growth trajectory. “The pick-up in output in May is more likely to reflect the partial release of pent-up demand as
BCC responds to the government’s Kickstart Scheme
Commenting on the announcement of the government’s Kickstart Scheme, allowing 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, BCC Co-Executive Director Claire Walker said:“The Kickstart Scheme will help firms create and support thousands of opportunities for young people, maintaining their access to the job market and driving the UK’s economic recovery.“The Chancellor has responded to our
BCC responds to the government’s £3 billion of green investment
Commenting on the government’s £3 billion package of green investment to decarbonise public buildings and cut emissions, BCC Co-Executive Director Claire Walker said: “This scheme is a first step toward supporting livelihoods and achieving important carbon emissions targets. “Our business communities across the UK have called for an economic recovery that prioritises jobs and supports our net-zero ambitions, as part of a coherent strategy to restart, rebuild and renew. “BCC research indicates that
BCC responds to government’s plan for local lockdowns
Commenting on the government's five-step plan for imposing local lockdowns in the case of coronavirus spikes, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said: “Businesses will welcome the announcement of a considered approach to local lockdowns, which could pose further challenges for operational and consumer confidence in the weeks and months ahead.“Where local lockdowns unfortunately do become necessary, firms will need greater clarity and support to help them survive further disruption.“Transparent
BCC responds to changes to England’s quarantine restrictions
Commenting on the government’s announcement of quarantine-free travel with a specified list of ‘low-risk’ countries, BCC Director General Dr Adam Marshall said: “Businesses will be pleased to see the back of the UK government’s damaging blanket quarantine policy, but they will also be asking a lot of questions about its replacement. “It’s taken far too long for the exemption list to appear, and the fact that it does not initially apply to all four nations of the UK will put regional connectivity and
News Release: New Cyber Security Educational Webinars
Available now are two Interactive Webinar Recordings for you all to view on Integrated Cyber's website (www.integrated-cyber.com/events). These are part of our Educational Series on Cyber Security. The two topics are 1. Managing Your Largest Cyber Risk - Your Employees.This educational webinar focused on what you can do to help minimize vulnerabilities and how you can turn the table and provide just-in-time cyber education to make your job easier and keep your organization safe. 2. Demystifying Cyber
BCC Quarterly Economic Survey Q2 2020: Chancellor must set out roadmap to recovery as UK economy endures historic setback
The British Chambers of Commerce has called for “swift, substantial and immediate action” to bolster the economy, as its Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) - the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth - found that UK economic conditions deteriorated at an unprecedented rate in the second quarter of 2020. Key findings: Eleven of the 14 key service sector QES indicators fall to their lowest level in the survey’s 31-year history The percentage balance of
BCC comments ahead of Prime Minister's speech encouraging Britain to ‘Build, Build, Build’
Commenting ahead of the Prime Minister’s speech in the West Midlands, in which he will announce a ‘New Deal for Britain’, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “The infrastructure delivery plans announced by the Prime Minister are welcome, but they must take shape on the ground swiftly to give a real confidence boost to businesses and communities. “The government must go even further over the coming days to rekindle business and consumer confidence, as part of a wider roadmap to economic
BCC responds to Prime Minister’s announcement on further easing of lockdown restrictions
Commenting on the Prime Minister’s announcement of further easing of Coronavirus restrictions from July 4 in England, including the reopening of culture, tourism and leisure venues as well as a relaxation of the two-metre rule, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “These steps will enable more companies to reopen and will be cautiously welcomed in our business communities. “While the relaxation of the two-metre rule will help more firms increase capacity, we are still a long way from business as
HM The Queen praises Chambers’ contribution to business communities during Coronavirus as more firms
Her Majesty The Queen has offered support to businesses as they reopen, and praised the contribution Chambers of Commerce across the UK and around the world are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities, in a letter released today. The letter from Her Majesty, Patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, comes as businesses across the UK are reopening and adjusting to a new normal. The letter reads: “At a time of great difficulty for many, it is heart-warming to see the civic
BCC responds to changes to Job Retention Scheme and support for the self-employed
Commenting on the Chancellor’s announcement today (29th May) on additional changes that will be made to the Job Retention Scheme from July onwards, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: The Chancellor has listened to business communities and struck a careful balance that will help many firms bring furloughed staff back to work flexibly over the coming months. The gradual reduction in furlough contributions from the Treasury will give businesses additional time to rebuild their income streams and cash
Resurgam! Plymouth's economy to rise again
Council leader Tudor Evans has pledged to lead from the front the city’s economic recovery programme out of the COVID-19 lockdown. At Cabinet today (Tuesday 5 May) he will announce plans to help Plymouth’s businesses get back to work through Resurgam - a programme to oversee recovery across all sectors. The name is Latin for ‘I shall rise again’ and the word became part of Plymouth’s history when it appeared on a wooden sign over the bombed out St Andrew's Church during the Blitz. Councillor Evans
Shop 4 Plymouth: New online marketplace links you with local retailers
Shop local, support independent retailers and buy everything you need – from food and drink to gifts from the safety of your home. A new online marketplace is making it easy to do just that. Shop 4 Plymouth showcases local traders that are open and following Government guidelines or which have adapted to offer a delivery service instead. The initiative has been set up by the Plymouth City Centre Company and Plymouth City Council, with support from Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, in response to the
More than 70 per cent of firms surveyed have furloughed staff as scheme goes live
Results from the latest British Chambers of Commerce Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker reveal that the vast majority of businesses surveyed have furloughed a proportion of their workforce, and are awaiting funds from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme as payday approaches for many. •71 per cent of survey respondents have furloughed staff, up from 66 per cent last week •Cash flow remains a significant concern for many businesses - 6 in 10 have less than three months’ cash in reserve The leading
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Call to plug the gap for support for small business
Plymouth’s leading business support organisations are joining forces with the Council to campaign for small businesses that have missed out on vital Government support. A letter is being sent today to the chair of the Local Government Association, Councillor James Jamieson asking for help to ‘plug the gaps’ for support for small businesses. In Plymouth around 400 businesses - employing over 3,000 people - are still without a financial lifeline because they don’t fit the criteria for one of the grant
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The Heart of the South Local Enterprise Partnership is currently consulting on its document entitled ‘Stepping up to the Challenge.’ This is a draft Productivity Strategy for the counties of Devon and Somerset. Our area compares unfavourably with most in the county in terms of the volume of the work achieved, per hour, spend on innovation, number of companies which export and overall how competitive our economy is. The strategy aims to double the size of the local economy by 2030 and improve our relative
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