Chancellor Philip Hammond started his speech at 3.33pm and finished at 4.43pm. He open by saying he will deliver a Budget for “hard-working families … who live their lives far from this place … and care little for the twists and turns of Westminster politics”. Chancellor says the era of austerity is coming to...
Business West, the region’s largest business support group, has launched a free up-to-the minute advice and guidance service to help firms get ready for life after Brexit. Called Trading Through Brexit, it aims to help businesses start planning for the period up to and after the UK leaves the EU next March. Business...
The Festival of Female Entrepreneurs is staged in the West of England this week for its seventh year to once again support women to build and grow sustainable businesses. Hundreds of women self-starters are expected to attend the day-long event in Bristol this Friday, October 19, to hear, learn from and be inspired by...
Bath companies will gain an insight into doing business in the nuclear sector in the UK and overseas at a major conference this Wednesday. The Nuclear South West Annual Conference will focus on collaboration in the industry and important international links – with a recent report by host organisation Nuclear South West revealing that...
The Institute of Directors (IoD) is seeking a new South West chair to represent its 5,000 members across the region. Current chair Nick Sturge, pictured, who is director of Bristol innovation hub Engine Shed, steps down in January after the standard three years in the role. The voluntary, unpaid position aims to promote awareness...
Swindon firms have just a week left to take part in a major survey, the results of which will shape support for exporters in the post-Brexit age. The Business West International Trade Survey takes the pulse of firms across the region at a time when exports are on the rise and the government is...
Forward-thinking Swindon firms that put their staff’s wellbeing front and centre now have more time to enter the South West’s only awards that champion workplace happiness. The deadline for the competition, now in its fourth year, has been extended into next month due to an unprecedented number of entrants. The South West Happiest Workplace...
Swindon firms operating in the nuclear sector could benefit from an agreement between industry organisations in South West England and Normandy in France which aims to create jobs, unlock opportunities and attract new investment to both regions. The memorandum of understanding between Nuclear South West and Nucleopolis potentially connects companies with £50bn worth of...
Concerns over Brexit are choking off South West SME manufacturers’ export growth as they focus on stabilising their current position, according to a new survey. Fears over the impact of the UK leaving the EU on the sector are combining with an anticipated overall slowdown in sales growth and a struggle to recruit more...
Interest rates have been increased from 0.5% to 0.75% by the Bank of England – taking them to their highest level for nearly a decade. It is only the only the second time the Bank has hiked the cost of borrowing since the economy crashed 10 years ago. Most economic commentators were expecting the...
