Policy Update 7th May 2024

Welcome to this week’s policy update.

If any of the issues covered in this week’s update affect your business, or if you’d like to discuss any other business issues and provide a case study we can use in advocacy activity, please contact Suzanne via [email protected].

The team at British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) continue to be busy working on your behalf. This week:

• Director General, Shevaun Haviland, will meet with the Chairs of the Investing in Women Taskforce. More details here.
• Alex Veitch, Director of Policy and Insight, is attending a roundtable with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, the Rt Hon Michelle Donelan MP, to discuss improving AI skills in SMEs.
• Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy, will participate in the next meeting of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Work and Health External Advisory Group.
• William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, appears before Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee to give evidence to their inquiry Reviewing the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

Last week:

• Director General, Shevaun Haviland and Anne-Marie Martin,?Director Membership UK & International travelled to the USA and took part in a variety of meetings and engagements with the US Treasury, Department of Commerce, and the UN Global Compact Outreach team, alongside others including: John Thompson (Deputy HMTC for North America), Emanuel Adam (Executive Director and Chief Trade and Policy Officer, British American Business Council), Tom Sullivan (US Chamber Vice President) and Paul Rennie OBE (Minister-Counsellor for Trade and Global Issues, British Embassy).?
• BCC Chair, Sarah Howard MBE, attended the launch of the UK Export Finance Business Plan.
• Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy gave evidence on apprenticeships and training to the Lords Industry and Regulators Committee.

Last Friday, the BCC attended a meeting of the UK-EU Domestic Advisory Group in Edinburgh with guest speaker, Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP. A discussion was held on ways to improve the UK-EU trading and economic relationship, including services, veterinary arrangements, and linkage of Emissions Trading Schemes.

Speakers for this year’s BCC Global Annual Conference (GAC) 2024:

• Andrew Bailey, Governor of the Bank of England
• Amanda Blanc DBE, Group CEO at Aviva
• Lady Nicola Mendelsohn CBE, Head of Global Business Group at Meta

You can find out more about GAC and book here: GLOBAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2024 - British Chambers of Commerce. This is a really interesting and informative event which is well worth taking part in so please do think about join us for it this year! Tickets are ￡120 + VAT for Chamber Members and ￡250 + VAT for Non-members.

The Environment Agency is currently recruiting a new Board member to chair its Audit and Risk Assurance Committee: “We are looking for a qualified accountant or Finance Director, who can question and challenge constructively, bring diverse views and see the opportunities to create better places for people and wildlife.” Find out more.?

Fit Note Reform: call for evidence. Reforming the fit note is a key part of the Government’s plan to ensure that people get timely access to work and health support. “We have issued a call for evidence to seek views of the current fit note process, the support required to facilitate meaningful work and health conversations, and help patients start, stay and succeed in work.” Find out more.