business opportunity.” The BCC claim to be the

have any issues, their concerns can be addressed and amplified

asked whether SME’ s would be adversely affected.

and that brings about other

If minority-owned businesses

light of the recent Budget, I

non-profit, non-political

‘ true British voice of business’,

through their local chamber

“ Corporation tax. The vast

organisation with 60

how accurate is this in relation

network.”

majority of businesses in the

chambers around the UK. The

to business diversity?“ I

The BCC works very closely

UK are SME’ s so they are

main aim of the BCC is to

think it is very accurate. We

with the Government, in fact,

driving the economy in lots

assist UK businesses to thrive.

represent businesses all over

during this year’ s Budget,

of ways. The more tax burden

I met with the Managing

the UK therefore, we represent

Gordon Brown referred to

they have the worse it will be.

Director John Dunsmure to

communities all over the UK.

the Chambers’ work on‘ tax

The Government tells us that

find out what mechanisms are

Chambers is for everybody. It’ s

simplification’. John elaborated

direct taxation will reduce but

in place to help businesses,

not an‘ old boys network’. If

on the kind of work the BCC

indirect taxation will increase,

and whether there were any

you go to Bradford, you’ ll find

does in relation to shaping

though you’ re not supposed to

particular issues facing Black,

a mainly Asian community and

government policies.“ We

notice it. We issue a‘ burdens

Asian and Minority Ethnic

they are the local business-

lobby and represent issues

barometer’ which shows how

( BAME) enterprises.

because they are there.”

on behalf of businesses. We

everybody is paying more

The British Chambers

I asked John what he

canvas and carry out regular

now than ever.”

of Commerce provide

perceived to be the key issues

surveys via national, regional

The British Chambers of

‘ information, advice and

affecting business diversity

and local business opinion. The

Commerce clearly provide

support’ for British business.

and how these issues could

Chambers work closely with

very useful information and

In which areas of business was

be addressed?“ I definitely

the Department for Trade and

practical assistance yet, so few

this was available?“ We cover

feel there’ s a need to create

Industry( DTI) who are looking

businesses are aware of the

a whole gambit for SME’ s.

more support in relation to

at a simplification process and

services Chambers possess.

We’ re one of the largest training

networking. At the same

we’ ve been instrumental in

Why is this?“ We need to be

providers as a collective in

time, we have to be careful

that. There are about 3,000

more business friendly and

the UK, local businesses are

not to offend minority-owned

different schemes, which the

that’ s what we’ re looking at.

able to engage locally via their

businesses by putting them

government provides through

We need to make it clear that

local chambers, we lobby

in the spotlight. We aim to

the DTI to help business,

it’ s not just the registered

transport issues, advise on

assist from a representational

many businesses do not know

businesses we assist, it’ s

accountancy, tax, landlord

point. For example, we’ ve been

about them and those that

also the wider business

issues and generally assist with

approached by South African

do, are totally confused. We

community.”

legal issues. There is also a

businesses, which have become

attend meetings and try to be

‘ legal expenses insurance’ and

polarized and want to break out

constructive by pointing out

For more information on

a 24-hour help line. We provide

into the wider business arena

what changes can be made.”

the British Chambers of

networking opportunities- lots

and we’ re happy to try and help

There are almost five million

Commerce please visit www.

of businesses want to network

them as it affects all business.

businesses in the UK, and in

chamberonline. co. uk

ISSUE FOUR 2007 engage | uk