Archive for December 2020
BREXIT – The the latest information for businesses
The UK has left the EU, and the Brexit transition period comes to an end 31/12/20. Here is the latest information for businesses: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – European Union Trade and Cooperation agreement Goods movement spanning the end of the Transition Period New and Updated Guidance Importing and Exporting Moving…
Read MoreInitial response to the announcement of a UK-EU trade agreement
Providing an initial response to the announcement that the UK and EU have reached a trade agreement, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “After four long years of uncertainty and upheaval, and just days before the end of transition, businesses will be able to muster little more than a muted and weary cheer. “While firms will welcome the agreement of a new foundation for…
Read MoreBritish Chambers of Commerce responds to announcement of ‘Tier 4’ Coronavirus restrictions
Commenting on the introduction of ‘Tier 4’ of Coronavirus restrictions in England, with many businesses once again forced to close their doors from 20th December, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “Christmas was already cancelled for many businesses, but even more will now suffer as a result of this last-minute decision. “While Government must act…
Read MoreResponse to reviewed tiered Coronavirus restrictions
Commenting on the revised tiered Coronavirus restrictions that will come into effect on 19 December, BCC Co-Executive Director Hannah Essex said: “More areas entering, or remaining in, Tier 3 means more disappointment for our business communities, who are already suffering from reduced demand and cashflow. “The vaccine programme is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. However, until it is rolled out fully, government…
Read MoreRepresentation from York Property Forum
Steve Secker, Chair, York Property Forum has written a letter to City of York Council. The York Property Forum, a specialist group of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, strongly urges Councillors to rethink the recommendations of the Staffing Matters and Urgency Committee. At a time of economic uncertainty and in the face…
Read MoreEnd of Brexit Transition Period Checklist
The West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has created an updated End of Transition Period Checklist to help your members consider the changes that the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 may bring. The checklist has been prepared in response to BCC research on business preparation, member queries and the information available from government. Ensure…
Read MoreEU-UK Joint Committee agreement in principle on NI Protocol
Commenting on the agreement in principle of the EU-UK Joint Committee to ensure the Northern Ireland protocol is fully operational as of January 1st 2021, BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: “More detail on how to keep trade flowing smoothly in both directions between GB and NI and on both sides of the Irish Sea after…
Read MoreReflections on the future of offices
Having spent most of my career promoting office buildings to attract prospective tenants, or acquiring them for both large and small businesses, it’s been interesting and often frustrating to see so much speculation that in a post Covid world, the office might have had its day. It is clear that the pandemic will have a…
Read MoreBrexit: 24 days – 24 huge unanswered business questions
With negotiations between the UK and EU once again at a decision point – and with just 24 days to go until the end of the Brexit transition period – the latest analysis by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that businesses still have insufficient official information available in 24 critical areas, undermining their ability to prepare for change on 1st January. The leading business…
Read MoreGrasping the opportunity to increase active travel
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced most of us to look at things very differently in almost every aspect of our daily lives. We are now familiar with ‘social distancing’, with wearing our face coverings, and in altering our work and social patterns to fit with our public health requirements. The way we travel has…
Read MoreGovernment must support businesses – not just weather restrictions but power economic recovery
British Chambers of Commerce calls for the government to give businesses more evidence, support and clarity to weather Coronavirus restrictions and help power our economic recovery. The British Chambers of Commerce has called on the UK government to meet the five business tests it set out for Coronavirus restrictions in a letter from the Chamber Network…
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