Essex Chambers of Commerce are Proud to Announce Essex County Council as Headline Sponsors for the Festival of Business 2024

27th September 2024

The Essex Chambers of Commerce are excited to announce Essex County Council as the headline sponsor of this year’s Festival of Business. Taking place at Chelmsford City Racecourse on Wednesday 13 November, the event will bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts from across the county and beyond,...

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First report from Skills England

25th September 2024

The Government have announced an overhaul to apprenticeships to support opportunity. The first report from Skills England, the government’s new body for the skills system, has also been published which you can view here.     Joanne Giles, Director of the Essex LSIP said: “Skills shortages are a major concern for Essex businesses,...

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Planning Reform Must ‘Move Ahead at Pace’ 

25th September 2024

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for swift action by the Government to reform planning in England, to help stimulate business investment and unlock growth.  In a submission to the consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) the BCC is urging ministers to...

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BCC Reacts to Prime Minister’s Conference Speech

24th September 2024

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Prime Minister rightly set out the importance of stabilising and growing the economy during his speech. Businesses stand ready to work in partnership with Government to reach those goals. “Firms also wanted to hear an upbeat plan...

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Essex needs to agree a mayoral deal with government

24th September 2024

The government has invited local areas to put forward expressions of interest in negotiating devolution deals and Essex is expected to submit a proposal by 30 September, covering the whole of Essex, that is Essex County (with its twelve districts) and the unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock. Essex...

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BCC reacts to Chancellor’s speech 

23rd September 2024

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:   “It was encouraging to hear the Chancellor recognising the huge potential of British business to grow the economy and her ambition to make that happen.  “Today’s speech has set the scene for her first budget which will be a huge moment to...

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Cautious Approach on Rates Continues

19th September 2024

Reacting to the Bank of England’s decision to hold the interest rate at 5%, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s decision by the MPC to hold the interest rate at 5% is as expected and shows the Bank is taking a cautious...

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Bleak Trade Picture For Most SME Exporters

06th August 2024

• BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook for Q2 2024 shows most SME exporters overseas sales are flatlining.• More than half of all SME exporters (52%) saw no change in overseas sales, and 21% reported a decrease.   • Just over a quarter of exporting SME firms (27%) saw their overseas sales rise...

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Rate Cut Could Give Firms Welcome Breathing Space 

01st August 2024

Responding to the Bank of England’s decision to cut the interest rate, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:  “Today’s decision by the Bank to cut the interest rate gives many smaller firms welcome breathing space and could trigger an increase in investment as...

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King’s Speech: Industrial Strategy Can Release Business Ambition

17th July 2024

Responding to today’s King’s Speech, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:  “The commitment to an industrial strategy could put in place a framework to unleash the pent-up ambition of British business to grow the economy. “If we use it to make green innovation a...

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