Your Weekly Update: Local Economy of the Future Launch | International Women's Day 2024 | Support our tax-free shopping campaign

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Published

26th February 2024

British Chambers of Commerce

Weekly Update
 


 

23 FEBRUARY 2024
 

THIS WEEK
Your highlights for the next seven days
 


Local Economy of the Future Report launched
 

Earlier this week, we launched the Local Economy of the Future report in Thwaites Head Office, Lancashire.

The report sets out 16 policies that could transform the UK’s growth potential by empowering businesses, communities and local government. Among the crucial changes it recommends are:  
 

  • Devolving more powers to regional and local government so decision-making is closer to the issues.
  • Giving the National Infrastructure Commission real teeth to influence long-term strategy.
  • Ensuring the voice of business is heard in strategy development and decision making at both a local and national level.
     

Click here to see a short video from the event and check out the photos here.
 


 

Join our virtual event to celebrate IWD 2024
 

We are celebrating International Women’s Day with a lively virtual event exploring "Equity and Diversity: Empowering Leadership in Chambers of Commerce."

The ‘In conversation’ event features Sarah Howard MBE, Chair of the BCC and Co-Chair of the Workplace Equity Commission and Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Policy and Lead of the Workplace Equity Commission.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers from around the world, gain actionable insights and reaffirm our commitment to building a more equitable future for all.

 


Public Affairs Update
 

  • On Monday 26 February, BCC Chair, Sarah Howard MBE, will be visiting and touring Luton Airport.
  • On Wednesday 28 February, BCC Director General, Shevaun Haviland, will be attending a meeting with fellow Business Representative Organisation (BRO) leaders. The meeting will be hosted by the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP along with the Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds MP.
  • On Thursday 29 February, Shevaun Haviland will be joining a panel, run by the Levelling-Up Advisory Council, to mark the launch of their new study into improving access-to-finance for SMEs across the UK.


 

Where to find helpful materials
 

If your Chamber team is looking for marketing toolkits or general information about the BCC, please use the links below. Share with your team members as relevant.
 

PEOPLE AND WORK

People and Work Challenge Report
 

This report considers the lifecycle of an individual through their education and work and the role of government and employers in enabling everyone to be skilled, productive, healthy and achieving their full potential.

Read the Report
 


 

Green skills: a key for growth for 2024 and beyond
 

Green skills are becoming more and more important for 2024 and beyond, with LinkedIn reporting a 29% higher hiring salary for workers proficient in at least one. Similar to the transformative impact digital skills had in 2004, green skills are poised to drive innovation, efficiency, and competitiveness in present and future landscapes.

 

Proficiency in sustainable practices not only provides a headstart for success, but also fosters responsible contributions to the global community. However, attaining proficiency requires ongoing training.

 

That's where BSI comes in. BSI’s range of continually updated courses ensures you can stay ahead of global trends and regulatory changes, enabling both personal career growth and organisational success.

 

Discover how BSI's sustainability training portfolio supports your objectives, with continuous learning opportunities fostering a culture of growth, flexibility, and problem-solving.

 

As the world's first National Standards Body and a pioneer in sustainability, BSI is committed to guiding organisations towards sustainable operational success through collaboration and partnership.
 
Find out more



 

Survey on finance and CRM systems
 

As requested by Chamber CEOs, we are conducting a survey on the finance and CRM systems, plus other technology and tools, that are in use across the UK Chamber Network.

 

The aim is to collect and then share this information with Chambers to help inform future decision making.

 

The results will be shared with UK Chamber CEOs and finance leads. The survey should take around 10 minutes to complete and will be open until Thursday 29 February.
 
Complete the survey


 


The Advanced British Standard consultation
 

The UK government has opened a consultation on the design of the Advanced British Standard, a new Baccalaureate-style qualification framework for 16-19 year-olds.

 

It is important to have the voice of businesses heard on this proposal so that the new system works for employers.

 

If your Chamber is submitting a response, or if you and your members have any views, please contact Hannah Larsen by Friday 8 March.
 

FUTURE OF THE ECONOMY
 

Energy efficiency and decarbonisation advice for businesses
 

Energy UK is hosting a webinar on the support and steps available for businesses to help with decarbonising their operations. 

In this webinar you will hear from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Drax and an energy network representative about the available support, to reduce, offset and remove Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and where to find resources to help navigate this complex landscape. 

 

Support our tax-free shopping campaign
 

We need your help to support our ongoing call for the Chancellor to introduce a new international tax-free shopping incentive at the Spring Budget. We are asking each UK Chamber to nominate and secure at least two additional businesses who are willing to sign a letter in support of the introduction of a tax-free shopping incentive.

 

Click here to see a copy of the proposed text. Contact Adam Szpala with the name of any businesses and the signatory by COP on Monday 26 February. 

 

Signatories will be added to a list of over 400 firms who have added their support for this letter. Through the addition of Chamber businesses, we can highlight the indirect impact that the introduction of the incentive will have on wider industries. It will also enable us to secure further coverage for the campaign.
 

GREEN INNOVATION

Green Innovation Challenge Report
 

This report has drawn on expertise from businesses of all sizes and sectors, academia, and think tanks, to develop a series of ambitious and realistic proposals that, if adopted by policymakers, can form the blueprint for accelerating our net zero transition.

Read the report
 


 

Spread the word about Congress of Business
 

Make sure to save the date and spread the word about Congress of Business (COB) which returns on Tuesday 14 May during Glasgow Climate Week.
 

Building on its successful launch in early 2023, we have partnered with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to amplify the important aims of COB – creating global action on climate challenges and accelerating change towards the Glasgow Climate Pacts established at COP26.

Attendees will contribute to collective progress towards a sustainable future, as COB places cities at the forefront of achieving Net Zero.

Find out more



 

GLOBAL BRITAIN
 

Trade Update 
 

  • This week, the BCC took part in the second roundtable on Red Sea trade disruption, chaired by Business Minister, Nus Ghani MP. We discussed elements of our members’ survey on this issue which will be published on  next Monday.
  • We also participated in the UK-EU Domestic Advisory Group meeting with other business, labour, and third sector stakeholders to discuss priorities for the year on UK-EU trade and economic relationship issues.
  • The first meeting of the Horizon Europe Participation Systems Group takes place next week, after the UK re-joined it. If you have SME members who are interested in joining or leading bids with other European firms for Horizon Europe investment, contact William Bain by COP next Wednesday.
  • The UK government published its new Sanctions Strategy paper this week.  A new package of Russian sanctions was released yesterday by the Foreign Secretary, targeting diamonds and oil trade.
  • This week, UK ministers published an analysis of the call for evidence on UK export support for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  • Join us next Tuesday 27 February at 14:00 (UK time) for the Trade Policy Committee virtual meeting. Contact William Bain for details. Also, next Wednesday 28 February the Chamber Customs Trade Facilitation Conference takes place in Birmingham.

     


Navigating Customs Changes - final webinar on CDS Exports
 

In September 2022, HMRC completed stage 1 of transitioning to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), bidding farewell to the CHIEF (Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight) system for import declarations. Now, stage 2 is on the horizon, marking the withdrawal of the export CHIEF service.

 

This webinar will help businesses navigate these changes effectively and ensure a smooth transition.
 

Three Seas Initiative Business Forum
 

The Three Seas Initiative (3SI) Business Forum is platform for providing political support for economic development and enhanced intra-regional and cross-border cooperation and connectivity between 12 EU Member States, bordering the Baltic, the Adriatic and the Black Sea.

 

This year, the key focus areas are; energy transformation, digital innovation and cybersecurity ecosystems, transport transformation, financial instruments and Ukraine’s reconstruction.
 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Italy meets UK | The event that connects British and Italian companies
 

The event will showcase trends in the UK market and new opportunities for exchange and collaboration between Italian and UK companies, with a focus on innovation. Following, registered companies will have the opportunity to participate in online B2B meetings on the Business Matching platform, organised with the support of our experts.

The initiative is open to British and Italian companies operating in the main trading sectors between the two countries. BCC Director of Membership UK & International, Anne-Marie Martin will join the event as a guest speaker. 
 

BCC President's Lunch
 

  • Wednesday 17 April
  • 12:00 - 14:30 (UK time)
  • House of Lords, Parliament Square, London
     

Chamber CEOs and their board are invited to attend the BCC President’s Lunch hosted by BCC President, Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE with guest speaker, Priya Lakhani OBE.

 

Priya is the Founder and CEO of CENTURY Tech - an education technology company that develops AI-powered learning tools for schools, colleges, universities and employers across the world.

 

Cost of attendance is £85 + UK VAT and booking fees. Contact Hannah Kelleher with any queries. 

Book Tickets
 


 

Save the date - BCC Membership Academy
 

This year we celebrate 25 years of partnership between The AA and the UK Chamber Network. To mark this milestone, we are delighted to invite UK Chamber colleagues to join us at an exclusive event on Wednesday 20 March at The AA’s site in Oldbury.

As part of the BCC’s Chamber Best Practice convening programme, this Membership Academy event will be a day full of best practice sharing. It will connect you with Chamber peers from across the country, to facilitate closer collaboration between the Chamber Network.

In addition, our partners of 25 years, The AA, will give us a behind the scenes look at the command centre that co-ordinates 2,500 patrols on the road, who between them attend 3.2m breakdowns every year. We will also be joined by The AA’s Patrol of the Year, who will give us insight into what it takes to provide Chamber members with a market-leading service, and the innovation that sits at the heart of serving members today and tomorrow.

We are proud to work in partnership with The AA and can’t wait for them to host the BCC’s Membership Academy.
 
Find out more


 

Global Chamber Connect
 

Global Chamber Connect will take place the day before our Global Annual Conference 2024. This event will bring together UK and International Chamber CEOs, board members and international trade teams.

 

There will be a variety of sessions during the day focused on ensuring synergies and future planning across the Chamber Network. There will also be an opportunity to share best practice and network with Chamber teams globally.
 

Global Annual Conference 2024
 

  • Thursday 27 June
  • QEII Centre, London
     

BCC Global Annual Conference 2024 will bring together business leaders, policy experts, media and government representatives to tackle important business issues and create lasting change. 

 

Our theme for the 2024 Global Annual Conference is "The Future of the Economy".
 
Find out more

 

British Chambers of Commerce

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sits at the heart of a business network that spans the length and breadth of the UK, with links to markets across the world.

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