British Chambers of Commerce

BCC's Head of People Policy talks to Jos Parsons, Principal Officer, Further Education and Skills

Jane Gratton talks to Sue Lovelock, Deputy Director for T-Levels Delivery at the Department for Education, about how businesses can engage properly with the qualification.

VAT is a huge issue that has gone under the radar, but it is set to change dramatically post-Brexit. Firms potentially face a serious cashflow issue under a new system that is yet to be clarified. To understand more, Allan Williams speaks to Liz Maher, a VAT specialist, to find out what changes mean for business.

Allan Williams and Mike Spicer return for the latest podcast, discussing the latest from Brexit, following the amendments to the Customs Bill, and the impact on import VAT. In the second half, Jane Gratton interviews Andy Briggs, CEO of Aviva UK, to discuss how to manage, employ and support an older workforce.

The BCC was gripped with World Cup fever this week, as Allan Williams and Mike Spicer looked to digest what the Chequers agreement meant for business. Allan also spoke to Ian Robinson, a partner at Fragomen, to discuss the Settled Status Scheme and what it means for EU nationals.

Housing is the key focus of the first episode of this relaunched podcast series, discussing at length the government's housing pledge, and why generations of governments have failed to build enough homes. Allan Williams and Mike Spicer also review events of the previous fortnight, from train timetables to inflation.

Jane Gratton, BCC's Head of Business Environment, interviews Phil Beach CBE, Executive Director for Vocational and Technical Qualifications at Ofqual, to discuss the changes to GCSE's and other issues that affect businesses.

It's National Apprenticeships Week, and Jane Gratton guest hosts as she interviews Sir Gerry Berragan, CEO of the Institute for Apprenticeships, to talk about the Apprenticeship Levy, skills, and training the workforce.

Allan Williams interviews Sara Abbonizio, Head of Business Engagement in the Gender Pay Gap team at the Government Equalities Office, to discuss gender pay gap reporting for business.

Allan Williams and Mike Spicer look for a quieter year, following 2017 - with productivity, skills and Brexit all set to dominate the agenda.

The Industrial Strategy has gone under the radar in recent months, but how important is it to focus on the domestic agenda? Allan Williams, Mike Spicer, and Ashley Shackleton discuss.

Our shopping list to tackle key business issues grows ever larger for the Chancellor. Allan Williams is joined by Suren Thiru, Mike Spicer, and Jane Gratton, to talk about what businesses want to see from the Chancellor's statement next month.

Labour was a carnival, Conservative... wasn't. Allan Williams is joined by Orla Hennessy, Ashley Shackleton and Fiona Krasniqi to discuss the fallout from the party conferences, Brexit, and the future leadership of both parties.

The BCC team is back from their break over the summer, ready to discuss more of the issues dominating the agenda. Allan Williams is joined by Mike Spicer and Ashley Shackleton. *The initial upload of this podcast was an old version, apologies for the inconvenience.*

The Queen's Speech was Brexit heavy but thin on the ground - Allan Williams is joined by Research Director Mike Spicer and Head of Economics Suren Thiru to discuss what it means for business, as well as the future of interest rates.

Theresa May called an election to improve on her 17 seat majority. She's now left with... a 17 seat working majority, with support from the DUP. The BCC team discuss the results, the big shocks, and ramifications for Northern Ireland and a reshuffle.

The BCC discusses the latest on the election front. Are the pollsters wrong? Is it a Presidential campaign? Are we hearing anything for business? Allan Williams is again joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer and Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton.

The election campaign ramped up this week with #torymanifesto, Labour manifesto and the debates! Allan Williams, Mike Spicer and Ashley Shackleton dissect the manifestos and what they mean for business, on #infrastructure, #immigration and more!

The BCC podcast is back! Reviewing the week that was in #business and #politics, to give our view of events that affect the Chamber business community. Allan Williams is joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer and Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton.

The new financial year is imminent, but what changes are coming that will impact your business? From apprenticeship levy, to immigrant skills charge, living wage increases, and corporation tax, the team discuss. Allan Williams is joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer and Head of Economics Suren Thiru.

The Budget gave some relief for business rates, but also increased NICs for the self-employed. Orla Hennessy speaks to Director of Research and Economics Mike Spicer and Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton to discuss the business, economic, and political ramifications.

The Annual Conference is round the corner! The team discuss the key agenda items, from devolution to competitiveness, and Brexit. With Louise Punter, Chief Executive of Surrey Chambers of Commerce.

Business rates has long been regarded as a huge tax burden for businesses of all sizes - but how are the recent and forthcoming changes likely to affect firms across the country? Allan Williams is joined by Head of Economics and Business Finance Suren Thiru, Director of Research Mike Spicer, and Christian Spence, Head of Research at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Business Rates Fellow of the BCC.

Last week Theresa May gave her plans for Brexit - leaving the Single Market, and controlling immigration. Allan Williams is joined by Ashley Shackleton, BCC Head of Public Affairs, and Andrew Fielding from Brussels, a former Commission adviser, to discuss how her speech was received at home and in Europe.

It's a new year, and inflation is looming as a concern on the horizon. How can businesses mitigate inflationary pressures, and what can the Bank of England do to avoid it rising far above target? Allan Williams is joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer and Head of Economics Suren Thiru, with a guest appearance from Vicky Pryce, former head of the Government Economic Service.

The BCC reviews the year and looks ahead to 2017, talking EU referendum, politics, inflation, and other critical business issues. It's been quite the year! Allan Williams is joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer, Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton, and Press Officer Orla Hennessy

The BCC team discusses the Supreme Court hearing on Article 50, recent proposals on corporate governance and the future of rail. Allan Williams is joined by Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton and Director of Research Mike Spicer.

The BCC team analyses the Chancellor's Autumn Statement and what it means for business. Allan Williams is joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer, Head of Economics Suren Thiru, Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton, and Henrietta Brealey, Director of Policy at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States - the BCC discusses what this means for UK-US trade policy, and an impact on any Brexit discussion. There's also an update on the recent goings on with the Brexit process. Allan Williams is joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer, Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton, and special guest Emanuel Adam, Director of Trade at British American Business

It's been a long time coming, but the government has announced plans for a new runway to be built at Heathrow Airport! Allan Williams is joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer and Jane Gratton, Deputy Chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce to talk about what happens next, and what businesses are looking for.

The pound has fallen sharply, but the UK economy has not shown signs of contraction following the EU referendum. Senior Press and Communications Manager Allan Williams is joined by Acting Director General Adam Marshall, Director of Research Mike Spicer, and economist Vicky Pryce discuss what is going on with the economy, and the uncertainty that has followed.

It's party conference season and the BCC is on the road in Liverpool to discuss the goings on and measures announced, as well as looking ahead to the Conservative conference in Birmingham. Senior Press and Communications Manager Allan Williams is joined by Jonathan Walker, Head of Policy at North East England Chamber of Commerce, and Kevin Adderley, MD of Wirral Chamber.

How can businesses boost their export performance? The BCC team discusses international trade and how a weaker pound could help companies. Featuring James Ramsbotham of North East England Chamber of Commerce.

Parliament has returned, party conferences are shortly upon us, and the Chancellor is to publish an Autumn Statement. Senior Press and Communications Manager Allan Williams is joined by Acting Director General Adam Marshall, Director of Research Mike Spicer, and Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton to discuss these and other events in Autumn.

Senior Press and Communications Manager Allan Williams is joined by Head of Education and Skills Marcus Mason, to discuss the skills shortage that employers face, and the apprenticeship levy. Featuring Julie White, MD of D-Drill, and Kirstie Mackey, of Barclays LifeSkills.

In this episode Allan Williams is joined by Director of Research Mike Spicer, Head of Public Affairs Ashley Shackleton, and Public Affairs Officer Fiona Krasniqi, to discuss the various changes in government and how they will affect business.

Allan Williams, Mike Spicer, and Suren Thiru are joined by Vicky Pryce to talk about economic and monetary policy in the wake of the EU referendum.