Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, has welcomed Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s response to the coronavirus crisis in his Budget – but warned that its commitment to funding big-scale ‘levelling-up’ infrastructure projects through borrowing could unravel if the economy goes into recession. Managing director Phil Smith, pictured, said a...
Key points from the 2020 Budget so far . . . Growth forecasts updated to 1.4% for 2020 and 1.6% for 2021 Planned rise in alcohol duties cancelled Fuel duty frozen Government to abolish business rates for small shops this year levy on electricity frozen and increased on gas...
Key points from Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s first Budget . . . Chancellor started speaking at 12:35pm He says public services are well prepared to tackle coronavirus There is likely to be a “significant” impact on the UK economy but it will return to normal There will be a funding...
Bristol is to host one of the UK’s largest national events focused on mental health in the workplace in May. Some of the biggest names in the subject will share their experiences along with the latest thinking at the Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace Summit. The event, being staged...
Bristol has received £10m in government funding to help the city council expand its pioneering heat networks to more communities – including taking heat from the disused shafts of the city’s former coal mines and its historic Floating Harbour. The grant – made through the Department for Business, Energy...
Efforts to boost business productivity and increase innovation among West of England manufacturers have been highlighted by the area’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) at its AGM. The meeting, which went under the banner of ‘Our West, Our Future’, heard how the LEP is now delivering its Local Industrial Strategy to spur...
With less than a month to go until nominations close, Bristol directors are being urged to enter one of the South West’s top award schemes recognising excellence and enterprise. The Institute of Directors’ (IoD) South West Director of the Year Awards 2020 aim to champion the region’s outstanding leaders...
International Women’s Day has been celebrated since the early 1900s. Its actual origins are not known but it is attributed to a march through the streets of New York City in 1908 when 15,000 women turned out calling for equality, voting rights, and better pay and working hours. While...
Regional accountancy firm Bishop Fleming has again achieved sizeable reductions in its use of paper, energy and company cars despite the business’s continued growth. The firm, which also gained ‘plastic-free champion’ status last year, has now saved the annual equivalent of 155 trees by cutting the use of paper...
Plans to promote Bristol’s new Western Gateway regional powerhouse link-up with South Wales at the world’s leading international property market showcase could be scuppered by the rapid spread of coronavirus. A growing number of major businesses have pulled out of MIPIM, the global property gathering due to take place...
Bristol’s International Women’s Day Big Breakfast celebration returns next Thursday, bringing women together from across the city and beyond. With 91 languages spoken in Bristol, the event will also celebrate the diversity of the city’s communities and the role women play in them with a host of speakers sharing...
Bristol’s wellbeing economics organisation Happy City has changed its name to the Centre for Thriving Places to reflect the fact that its innovative approach to helping transform society is now becoming increasingly mainstream. Happy City was launched in Bristol 10 years ago with the pioneering aim of demonstrating that...
By James Durie, chief executive of Bristol Chamber & Initiative at Business West Bristol has a serious pollution problem – many of our city centre streets are breaking legal air pollution limits, with knock-on effects for the health of our families, workers and visitors. Central government is at last,...
