An elected mayor would be good for Bristol says business leaders
Our biggest cities need excellent leadership and business believes that directly elected mayors, with the right powers and policies, are best at providing that. An elected mayor of Bristol could...
View ArticleBusiness support for planning reforms
Commenting on today’s publication of the Government’s simplified National Planning Policy Framework, Business West Managing Director Phil Smith said
View Article£1bn Government Youth Contract will boost business confidence
The Government has officially launched the Youth Contract, a package of support worth almost £1billion to help young unemployed people prepare for work and find a job. Employers will be offered ‘wage...
View ArticleBusiness West welcomes Government'’s Youth Contract scheme
The Youth Contract, the Government scheme announced today to lift 16 to 24 year olds out of unemployment and into work, has been welcomed by Business West.
View ArticleA Business Manifesto for Change
As councils across the West gear up for the new political year with local elections and/or annual meetings in May, Business West has published a “business manifesto for change”. This is a direct call...
View ArticleMaking it big
Much modern economic development will take place in the creative and high technology businesses. But not everyone will find a job in those sectors and, according to Bath Chamber of Commerce Executive...
View ArticleQueen’s Speech could have been bolder on growth, says Business West
Commenting on the Queen’s Speech, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said:
View ArticleGDP revision shows need for a long-term strategy for growth, says Business West
Commenting on the revised GDP figure published today by the ONS, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West said: “The recent revised ONS figure which shows a contraction of -0.3% in the first...
View ArticleBusiness West welcomes the move towards localism in planning
The planning sector has been in a state of flux over recent times, with both the Localism Act and the recently published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) heralding significant change to the...
View ArticleNew loan scheme set to boost young entrepreneurs, says Business West
Commenting on the government’s new StartUP Loans scheme for young entrepreneurs, Phil Smith, managing director of Business West, the largest business membership organisation in the South West, said:...
View ArticleSmaller firms need more support to trade with high-growth markets, says...
Large businesses are more likely to export to high growth markets than their smaller counterparts Regulation and export tariffs top the list of barriers to exporting
View ArticleBusiness supports Bristol’s Big Green Week - 9th to 17th June
One of the most influential business leadership organisations in the UK, Business West, representing over 2,000 businesses across the Chambers of Commerce in Bath, Bristol and Gloucestershire, is...
View ArticleMixed business reaction to latest employment figures
Commenting on June’s labour market figures, published yesterday (Wednesday20 June) by the ONS, Phil Smith, Managing Director of Business West Phil Smith said;
View ArticleGovernment must encourage firms to hire more young people
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, announced yesterday (Wednesday) that the government’s Youth Contract - which provides a subsidy of £2,275 per person to firms taking on young workers - will start...
View ArticleThe Finance Factor – all you need to know about alternative finance options
What are the seven deadly sins of raising finance? This is one of the topics that will be covered in a free finance workshop aimed at businesses with a minimum turnover of £500k. Run by Business West,...
View ArticleResponding to the Prime Minister's comments on a potential European...
"Businesses in Gloucestershire and the South West need the ability to trade as part of a European single market, as currently 60% of exported goods from this region are to these markets, but they are...
View ArticleResponding to the Prime Minister's comments on a potential European...
"Businesses in Swindon and the South West need the ability to trade as part of a European single market, as currently 60% of exported goods from this region are to these markets, but they are growing...
View ArticleResponding to the Prime Minister's comments on a potential European...
"Businesses in Bristol and the South West need the ability to trade as part of a European single market, as currently 60% of exported goods from this city and region are to these markets, but they are...
View Article£1bn City Deal is a huge boost for business in Bristol
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership received the congratulations of Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, as he announced the Bristol City Deal
View ArticleBusiness survey shows local economic growth is still too slow
Business West's latest business survey has found that local business are being put under increasing strain and are suffering from a lack of confidence. The survey, comprising 233 responses from...
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