How Businesses can Take Back Control of their Outgoings
National restrictions continue to significantly affect businesses across the country. While non-essential retail, hospitality and leisure businesses have had to temporarily close during lockdown, those businesses which are still operating will also have been heavily affected by the pandemic. As such, there is an enormous pressure on businesses’ financial situation. They may be juggling reduced income whilst navigating new income streams such as various government support measures. Businesses might be
Grants for Plymouth businesses closed due to coronavirus
Plymouth businesses that have been forced to close due to the national COVID-19 restrictions will now be able to apply for financial support through Plymouth City Council. The Government’s Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) scheme is available to support businesses that have been legally required to close and occupy a rateable property. Eligible businesses can claim the following grants, based on their rateable value:For properties with a rateable value of £15,000 or under, grants to be £1,334 per
BCC responds to additional support for the self-employed
Commenting on the announcement of additional support for the self-employed for the month of November, as additional restrictions in England are set to come into force, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “Additional support for the self-employed will provide relief for many, but it should have been announced at the same time as the furlough scheme extension in order to give sole traders greater confidence. “Bringing the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme in line with the extended furlough
BCC/Totaljobs:?More than a third of businesses attempted to recruit in Q3 2020, but business conditi
Results from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO), in partnership with Totaljobs, found that the number of firms attempting to recruit in the third quarter had increased on the previous one, albeit from historic lows. The survey, carried out in August and September ahead of the resurgence of Coronavirus cases and the imposition of new, national restrictions, found that: · 37% of firms attempted to recruit in Q3, higher than the historic low in Q2 (25%) but still
BCC and Drax: Breaking down climate barriers for businesses
As part of the Race to Zero, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in collaboration with energy company Drax Group, is calling on the government to use the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement to work in partnership with businesses to achieve the UK’s climate goals, as many firms continue to manage the impact of Coronavirus. A recent BCC survey of 527 found: Unprecedented challenges this year (32%) have created barriers to climate progress for firms Slightly fewer businesses are measuring their
BCC responds to enhanced Coronavirus support for businesses
Commenting on the Chancellor’s announcement of further support for businesses and jobs as Coronavirus restrictions increase, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “This is a very significant improvement in the support available to businesses struggling with the impact of increasing restrictions across the UK. “Chambers have been campaigning for greater support for businesses experiencing big falls in demand as a result of new restrictions, and a number of the steps announced today, including the
BCC responds to 'time is running out’ campaign
Commenting on the launch of the government’s ‘time is running out’ campaign, urging businesses to prepare for the end of the transition period, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “Facing the triple threat of a resurgent Coronavirus, tightening restrictions and a disorderly end to the transition period, it is little wonder businesses are struggling to prepare. Many firms will be tired of posturing, cliff edges and deadlines, while others are still grappling with fundamental challenges as a result of
Chambers of Commerce challenge PM to meet five business tests for Covid restrictions
In a letter to the Prime Minister, British Chambers of Commerce Director General, Dr Adam Marshall, BCC President Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith and Chamber CEOs from across the United Kingdom set five business tests that must be met to limit the impact of Coronavirus restrictions on businesses and jobs and take a long-term approach to tackling the pandemic. The letter from the Accredited Chamber Network - which collectively represents 75,000 firms of all sizes and sectors across the UK employing nearly six
BCC responds to new tiered system for Coronavirus restrictions
Commenting on Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of a new, tiered approach to local Coronavirus restrictions in England – and following the introduction last week of deeper restrictions in other nations of the UK, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “Intensified restrictions will be a real blow to business and public confidence at a delicate time for the economy. Firms have put hard work and precious cash into making their businesses Covid-secure, and must be allowed to operate unless
BCC Quarterly Economic Survey Q3 2020: Nearly half of firms report UK sales decrease as businesses e
The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth – found that business conditions remained weak in the third quarter of 2020, despite much of the economy reopening. The bellwether survey of 6,410 firms, employing over 580,000 people across the UK, revealed that, while key indicators have improved from historic lows in Q2, they remain significantly lower than before the pandemic
BCC responds to new powers for Small Business Commissioner consultation
Commenting on the consultation on new powers for the Small Business Commissioner to help small firms with late payment, BCC Director of Policy James Martin said: “With firms continuing to face significant cash flow difficulties, and our research suggesting that late payment has increased during the pandemic, businesses will be encouraged by the government’s commitment to creating a culture of prompt payment. But the real test of any reforms will be whether anything changes for firms across the country
BCC responds to Prime Minister’s plan on training and skills
Responding to the Prime Minister’s announcements on post-18 education and training today, BCC Head of People Policy Jane Gratton said: “The government have listened to Chambers and taken an important step toward a more agile adult skills system in the wake of the pandemic. Our Workplace Training and Development Commission has found that employers need access to bite-sized accredited learning that enables adults to be quickly up-skilled and re-skilled for new opportunities.” “Apprenticeships will
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
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
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:
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
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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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