QES Survey
Through our Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) we help to contribute to the British Chambers of Commerce Economic Survey, Britain’s most influential private sector business survey. The QES, Britain’s longest-running, survey, has provided consistent data since 1989, and regularly receives more than 7,000 business responses nationally.
The QES is also a leading indicator – often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics and is used by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee, as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates. The HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility use the QES to put together their forecasts for the UK’s economic performance whereas the European Commission uses it to assess the health of the UK economy when it makes policy recommendations for both Westminster and Brussels.
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Sector Forums
Digital
This forum is here to drive the growing digital sector in Staffordshire, enabling businesses to freely exchange information, share best practice and discuss digital innovation, information communication technology and artificial intelligence
Tax & Finance
This forum brings together businesses from the finance and professional services and is tasked with exchanging information on taxation, corporate law and governance, finance, insurance and professional services sector issues. Recent topics for discussion included; making tax digital, GDPR, corporate governance and the Chancellor’s Budget.
Social Value & Procurement
This forum is specifically tailored to bring together business leaders from the Chamber membership who are looking to promote social value, CSR and social enterprises within Staffordshire. Methods to help grow social value within our community and local & national constraints are addressed and discussed.
Transport
This forum is tasked with exchanging information on transport, infrastructure, automation and modernisation in transport, and road, sea, rail and aviation policy. Recent topics covered include: M6 Smart Motorway project, HS2, automated vehicles, and electric vehicle charging points across Staffordshire. It also steers Chambers’ representations on these matters and receives updates on national transport policy.
Planning & Construction
This forum is tasked with exchanging information on planning policy, construction and regeneration. Recent topics covered include: Joint Local Plan for Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-Under-Lyme, Local plans for Stafford Borough, and the NPPF. It also steers Chambers’ representations on these matters and receives updates on developments in planning law.
Employment, Skills & HR
This forum is tasked with exchanging information on human resources, skills, education and training. Recent topics covered include: the living wage, apprenticeship levy, and gender pay gap reporting. It also steers Chambers’ representations on these matters and receives updates on developments in employment law.
Rural Business
This forum is a strategic group to promote the interests of the rural business sector in Staffordshire. It champions and lobbies for specific strategies and policies that will benefit members and ensure the rural sector has a stronger voice in our community.
Energy, Environment & Sustainability
Sustainability This forum is tasked with exchanging information on energy, environmental concerns and sustainability within the private sector. Driving our policy understanding on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
To join the Forum discussion click here Hot Topics — Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce
To find out more please call 01782 202222 or email info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
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Influence and Policy
Our influence and policy team aims to represent the interests of Staffordshire businesses at a local and national level. You can get involved to help shape Staffordshire by: Completing our Quarterly Economic Survey, Britain’s most influential private business survey and used by the HM Treasury, Bank of England and the European Commission to assess the health of the UK economy.
Raising your views and concerns at meetings with local authorities and MPs. As well as the host of benefits already available through standard membership packages, Staffordshire Chambers also offers more specific support by working closely with a variety of sectors. These bespoke sector packages offer a support service specially tailored to each specific trade.
In addition, the Chamber helps bring local businesses from a cross section of industries together, providing members with exceptional networking opportunities and new and useful contacts on a regular basis. If you believe that your industry would benefit from a specific sector support group, or would like to speak with any of our influence experts get in touch and see how you could grow.
To find out more please call 01782 202222
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