This British Chambers of Commerce is owned by, and work for, a network of Chambers of Commerce that champion and support Members all across the UK and in countries and markets around the world. The unique perspective gives us unparalleled insight into British business communities – every sector, every size, everywhere.
Working together with Chambers, we drive change from the ground up – and our bottom line is helping companies, places and people achieve their potential. From big national issues like Brexit, skills and infrastructure to local challenges like digital connectivity, the Chamber network can make sure your voice is heard across all levels of Government and in the media.
Working together with the Chamber network, the BCC have helped secure these important changes for business:
- Immigration (May) – The range of jobs that can be recruited from overseas is expanded, bringing flexibility to UK businesses
- Immigration (September) – A two-year post study work visa is introduced to remove barriers to accessing skills
- Brexit (August) – UK Businesses automatically issued with EORI numbers, simplifying trade procedures in the event of a no deal Brexit
- Brexit (October) – With the possibility of a messy and disorderly Brexit increasing, BCC ensured that 95,000 firms were automatically enrolled in customs procedures that would allow them to continue to trade in this scenario
- Infrastructure (October) – A £1bil Shared Rural Network is confirmed which will transform mobile signal coverage and connectivity across the country’s rural areas
- Infrastructure (February) – Confirmation that High Speed 2 will proceed in full, providing vital connectivity to local communities up and down the country
- Coronavirus (March):
- Business Rates – Business rates for thousands of small firms abolished to support cash flow challenges around the pandemic
- Furlough – The scheme was introduced following BCC lobbying – saving millions of jobs. Making the scheme more flexible was also a core task of the BCC and from July 2020 staff could be brought back part time, helping businesses manage demand as they moved out of lockdown
- Cashflow – From late March until late June, companies affected by Coronavirus were able to defer their VAT payments, freeing up cashflow at a crucial time
- Loans – The introduction of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme helped firms get access to cash following the national lockdown
- Support for the self-employed – The vast majority of the UK’s 5 million self-employed people could access financial support through the introduction of a new scheme
Source: BCC Annual Report and Accounts 2019 – 2020