Chambers collaborate with funder on auto-enrolment and National Living Wage debate

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and SME funder, Bibby Financial Services (BFS), are to host a series of regional events to discuss issues affecting UK businesses in 2016.

The ‘Keep Moving’ events will feature topical discussions on auto-enrolment, the National Living Wage, international trade and online sales.

Edward Winterton, Commercial Director at Bibby Financial Services, said:

“We are not yet at the mid-point in the year and SMEs have already had to contend with an unprecedented amount of change.

“Combined with a lively debate on the UK’s place in the EU, is the introduction of pensions auto-enrolment for smaller businesses, changes to the way in which dividends are taxed and the new National Living Wage, which was introduced on 1 April.

“The roundtables we’re hosting with the British Chambers of Commerce are an opportunity to find out how such changes are affecting business owners and to discuss how to keep businesses moving in 2016.”

Roundtable events will take place in Manchester, Liverpool, Slough and London between 25 May and 8 June. Up to 15 SME owners will be invited to each event to share their experiences of the changing environment and to discuss issues affecting similar businesses.

David Riches, Executive Director, Commercial, Trade and Marketing at the BCC, said:

“Over recent months, SMEs told us that they’re concerned about rising cost pressures and slowing demand.

“Against this backdrop, our roundtable events will look to delve deeper into these critical issues facing SMEs in 2016 and to get a view from the coal face in relation to what needs to be done to support their businesses.”