BCC/Totaljobs: Budget must address critical skills shortages to ‘level up’ UK growth
4th February 2020
Over half of UK firms attempted to recruit in the last quarter of 2019, but almost three quarters have struggled to find the right talent, the largest survey of UK employers has found. Labour market remains stable as over half
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HM The Queen praises Chambers’ contribution to business communities during Coronavirus as more firms reopen
19th June 2020
Her Majesty The Queen has offered support to businesses as they reopen, and praised the contribution Chambers of Commerce across the UK and around the world are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities, in a letter released
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Businesses To Reskill And Upskill Employees For Innovation South Virtual Event
29th January 2021
The Innovation South Virtual Campus (@ISVirtualCampus) has launched a range of free online courses to help employers fill digital skills gaps in their businesses for free. Funded by the Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (EM3 LEP) Enterprise M3 in collaboration
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Bishop of Guildford Joins Thrill-Seekers in Daring Descent for Cathedral Fundraiser
18th June 2025
An unforgettable day of courage and community spirit took place on Saturday 14 June, as Guildford Cathedral’s Daring Descent fundraising challenge saw 27 brave participants, including The Right Reverend Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford, abseil 160 feet down the Cathedral
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Surrey’s innovators receive £1.2m boost from UKRI Impact Acceleration Account
15th June 2022
The University of Surrey will receive £1.2m from the UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI’s) Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) to accelerate bright ideas into global opportunities and jumpstart knowledge exchange, translation, and commercialisation. IAA funding allows UK teams to unlock
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Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – 12th December 2022
19th December 2022
This week has been full of statistical data, bringing a rather sombre view of the economy. I will report on the data but with a caveat that local businesses have been doing everything they can to weather the inflation,
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Latest Updates From Surrey Chambers CEO – 25th January 2022
25th January 2022
On Tuesday 11th January we were delighted to hold our first Business Breakfast of 2022 at the fabulous Woodhaven Space, Woking, in even though most other face to face events were not happening. Overcoming the current challenges, it was great
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Gold – More Room to Run?
29th July 2020
Gold is glistening at the moment with investors furiously flooding into the precious metal, pushing prices to all-time highs in the spot market, and above $2,000/oz in the futures market. The yellow metal’s ascent comes as investors continue to seek
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The Real Economy: 71% of Businesses Ready for Recession
5th January 2023
Recent research suggests almost three-quarters of UK businesses are feeling resilient despite the exceptionally tough economic outlook. According to the latest RSM UK ‘The Real Economy Report’ 71% of middle market businesses say they are prepared to face the
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Fragile Outlook Remains After NI Tax Hike
4th July 2025
Business confidence remains weak following the employer NI rise, with just under half of firms (49%) expecting turnover to increase in the next 12 months The proportion of businesses expecting to put up prices over the next three months eases
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Smaller businesses under pressure have a limited window to get the right stuff done says leading UK business coaching company Pro-actions
15th July 2020
Pro-actions are providing much-needed pragmatic advice about how to succeed in the post COVID world for FREE with their new webinar series ‘Getting Stuff Done’. Leading business coaching company, Pro-actions, claim that SMEs now need very clear direction about
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Weak GDP Growth Forecast For 2020 As Business Investment Falls
9th December 2019
UK economic growth in 2020 is forecast to slow to its weakest rate since the financial crisis as higher government spending struggles to offset falling business investment, weakening net trade and sluggish consumer spending. GDP growth is forecast to
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Unemployment Up As Business Costs Rise
10th June 2025
Responding to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The increase in employment costs for business appears to be starting to bite
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BCC: Concerns over Inflation Rise as Manufacturers’ Price Expectations Climb to 4-year High
19th April 2021
Balance of manufacturers expecting their prices to increase highest since Q4 2017 87% of production & manufacturing firms cited pressure to raise prices from raw material costs Overall, 38% of firms expect prices to rise in the next
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BCC welcomes commitment to build HS2
11th February 2020
Welcoming the news that the UK Government is set to give the go-ahead to HS2, and proceed with construction to Birmingham and onward to Crewe, British Chambers of Commerce Director General Dr Adam Marshall said: “The decision to proceed
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Foxhills Community Camps Return To Support Local Children
26th July 2022
Foxhills Club & Resort will once again be supporting disadvantaged youngsters in the local area this summer through its Foxhills Community Camps. Started in 2019, the camps are back for a third time this year, enabling more than 80
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Fully recyclable, washable and sustainable UK mask brand, 1TcA, launches today
25th August 2020
Founded by three socially and environmentally conscious mothers during the coronavirus pandemic, the game-changing face coverings will help to reduce cross-contamination. 1TcA (One Thought Changes All), a fully recyclable and sustainable UK mask brand and trusted member of the
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1TcA’s ‘Educate To Protect’ Programme Extends Beyond UK
25th May 2021
This spring and summer 1TcA, the ethically and environmentally committed distributor of British made safety solutions, is extending the reach and impact of its vision – ‘Educate to Protect’ – via a three-stage programme within India, Kenya and Ethiopia. 1TcA
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Mounting Uncertainty Delays Further Rate Cut
20th June 2025
Responding to the latest Bank of England interest rate decision, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Yesterday’s CPI data confirmed that inflation remains stubbornly high, so today’s decision by the Bank of England to
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Surrey County Council Grant Programmes
12th March 2024
A3 EV Grant Get up to £10,000 for businesses and charities to upgrade their diesel van to fully electric. To be eligible you need to drive on the A3 by Guildford, around 3 times per week (single journey so return
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