Time to pay up: Toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation unveiled in plan to back small businesses

31st July 2025

UK Government unveils its Small Business Plan to support SMEs across the country. Small businesses across the UK will benefit from the most comprehensive support package in a generation, as the government launches a bold new plan to give small businesses the tools to thrive and drive economic growth...

Read more

Small Business Plan ‘Important Step Forward’

31st July 2025

Responding to the launch of the Government’s Small Business Plan, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the BCC, said: “This is a much-needed step forward in recognition and support for SMEs, which are the backbone of the UK economy. Late payments, access to finance and business support are all issues...

Read more

Government Must Harness Retail Investor Optimism

23rd July 2025

A major new Retail Investor Sentiment survey, carried out for the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit, immediately after the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech, shows increased optimism that could be harnessed to grow the UK economy. Over 2,500 investment platform users were polled by Find Out Now on...

Read more

London to Essex c2c services return to public control in step towards Great British Railways

18th July 2025

Passengers across London and Essex will be travelling on publicly-owned train services from this Sunday (20 July 2025), as c2c’s services become the next to be brought into public ownership through government plans to restore pride in the railways. From Sunday, c2c services operating from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness...

Read more

Funding Opportunity: Growth Catalyst Early Stage – New Innovators

07th July 2025

Innovate UK is offering a share of £10 million to UK-registered micro and small businesses through the Growth Catalyst Early Stage: New Innovators competition. This is aimed at businesses that have not previously received Innovate UK funding and are developing affordable, adoptable, and investable solutions in one or more...

Read more

Industrial Strategy ‘An Important Milestone’  

23rd June 2025

Responding to the publication of the Industrial Strategy, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s Industrial Strategy is an important milestone towards creating a competitive economy that is fit for the future, with thriving businesses in every region of the UK. “From start-ups and...

Read more

Powering Britain’s future: Electricity bills to be slashed for over 7,000 businesses in major industry shake-up

23rd June 2025

Industrial Strategy sets out a ten-year plan to boost investment, create good skilled jobs and make Britain the best place to do business. More than 7,000 British businesses are set to see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, as the Government unveiled its bold new...

Read more

Essex Chambers of Commerce Spending Review Statement

12th June 2025

Iain McNab, Head of Policy at the Essex Chambers of Commerce responds to the Chancellor’s Spending Review. “The Chancellor has set out her spending plans through to 2029 to parliament. As is increasingly the custom, many of the headline announcements had been made in advance so there was little...

Read more

Spending Review Must Be A Catalyst For Growth 

11th June 2025

Responding to the Comprehensive Spending Review, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the BCC, said:   “Business has been waiting for Government to show it understands the deep-rooted problems holding back our economy and how they can be solved. “Today we have seen signs they get it, with action to...

Read more

Thousands of jobs to be created as government announces multi-billion-pound investment to build Sizewell C

11th June 2025

10,000 jobs, including 1,500 apprenticeships, to be created as the government announces multi-billion investment to build Sizewell C. Ten thousand jobs will be created as the government announces a £14.2 billion investment to build Sizewell C nuclear plant as part of the Spending Review, ending years of delay and...

Read more