Archive for March 2023
85% drop in energy support package comes as firms face significant changes
Energy bills remain a top business concern, as many face a drastic reduction in their support Energy market for businesses must be reformed to protect firms and correct market failures Firms are facing a further financial squeeze, with corporation tax, living wage and business rates all changing from April 1st As businesses face an 85%…
Read MoreChamber meeting at the House of Lords
Transport and devolution were among the subject matters under review when West & North Yorkshire journeyed to the House of Lords to meet with Baroness Blake. As part of a visit organised for Executive and Patron members, a roundtable discussion was held with the shadow spokesperson for housing, communities and local government on a range…
Read MorePublic infrastructure and access to labour splits UK small businesses down rural-urban divide
Unreliable public transport letting down almost three in five (58%) rural SMEs Almost two in three (64%) SMEs believe they don’t have access to sufficient skilled labour in their local area More than one in four (27%) SMEs expect their turnover to decrease over the next year, while less than a third (30%) plan to…
Read MoreChamber welcomes diversity in political leadership
West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce’s BAME Business Committee extends its heartiest congratulations to Humza Yousaf on his election as the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). Mr Yousaf’s election is a landmark moment which sees the first Muslim elected to lead a western democracy and we are proud to celebrate this…
Read MoreChamber reaction to the Spring Budget
West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce welcomes moves to help restore our economy to growth although expresses concern on behalf of the many companies will cope when support on energy costs is withdrawn. Measures on childcare, tax, carbon capture and the introduction of new Investment Zones across the country have the potential to strengthen…
Read MoreTeesside International Airport become a Chamber Patron
West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to welcome Teesside International Airport as a patron. The Chamber is a long-standing champion of the work Teesside International does and is hugely supportive of its future plans for expansion. Due to its proximity to both planned freeports and future-facing green energy projects, the airport is…
Read MoreSpring Budget must help alleviate pressure on tight labour market
Reacting to the latest ONS Labour Market figures, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “Today’s ONS figures provide further evidence of historic tightness in the labour market. Despite a slight fall, there are still over 1.12 million vacancies across the UK. This confirms our own research that most firms are still trying…
Read MoreHospitality Forum Roadshows
York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is issuing a rallying cry to the region’s hospitality sector to lend it their views. Following a highly successful launch of the Chamber’s Hospitality Forum in February, it is now preparing a series of roadshow events around the county to engage with the industry and gather information. The…
Read MoreEconomy forecast to shrink before rebounding
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) forecasts the economy will not return to its pre-pandemic size until the final quarter of 2024. The rate of UK inflation is expected to continue slowing throughout 2023, hitting 5 per cent by the fourth quarter. BCC is now forecasting that the economy will shrink in 2023 but by much…
Read MoreBritish Chambers launches three-year gender equity campaign
More than two thirds of women with childcare responsibilities say they feel they have lost out on career progression as a result. New research published today by the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and panel provider Find Out Now also showed that half of women believe that they will miss out on career advancement as…
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