You can access the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) online Pensions survey via www.merseyeconomy.org.uk

The Government published its Pension White Paper at the end of May and is in active consultation with Key Stakeholders. David Frost and the BCC are in active consultation with the DWP and James Purnell the Pensions Minister has indicated as part of their wish to achieve a lasting consensus on the introduction of the National Pensions Savings Scheme (NPSS), and the changes to the state pension system, the Government is interested in the views of the Business Community and in particular small Businesses.

In this context the BCC is working on its response in time for the consultation deadline. The BCC is aware that Businesses need the minimum disruption of employees and processes and any change should ideally have no initial or ongoing administrative cost to business. As part of this process the BCC will be looking to set up a small working party to test its proposals, and have produced the first (of perhaps a series) of web based survey questionnaire to provide input into the BCC policy response.

Members of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry are urged to take part in this survey. Closing date 11th August 2006.

The Bristish Chambers of Commerce has published its Benchmarking Survey for 2006. This document looks at all the Chambers of Commerce across the UK and compares their performance against each other and pre-set standards.

Liverpool Chamber has performed exceptionally well in the past year, coming in the top 20 in most areas (out of 56 chambers), and doing particularly well in the following activities:

• 2nd highest number of inward international trade missions
• 5th highest membership penetration for all businesses in the area, including SMEs
• 6th highest number of participants at chamber events (5,537), from the 17th highest number of events available (81)
• 8th highest number of members and affiliate members (2,309)
• 13th nationally in terms of website page impressions (862,000)

These figures reflect Liverpool Chamber’s dedication to providing excellent services and opportunities for our members, and our commitment to being one of the best chambers not just regionally, but nationally.