The french city of Marseille is bidding for European Capital of Culture 2013. Because of the similarity between the two port cities, the Marseille Chamber of Commerce has arranged a visit to Liverpool in association with the Culture Company.

Their aim is to talk to Liverpool businesses about their experiences since winning Capital of Culture status.

Liverpool Chamber is hosting a business seminar on 1st February, at Number 1 Old Hall Street, for the Marseille delegation.

If you feel that your business has particularly benefited from 2008 European Capital of Culture and you would like to share that experience at our business seminar, please speak to Jenny Stewart, Head of Membership who will be glad to arrange for you to attend.

Call Jenny on 0151 227 1234 or send her an email.

The combined lobbying power of British Chambers of Commerce has been revealed as a major influencing factor in today’s revised Capital Gains Tax announcement (BBC news story)

As you will be aware the Chancellor has announced a number of concessions in relation to Capital Gains Tax in the House of Commons today:

• A 10% capital gains tax rate will be introduced in April on the first £1 million of gains and the 18% charge will remain on gains over this amount. This 10% rate has been called the “entrepreneurs’ relief”
• The £1 million of gains will be cumulative over a person’s lifetime
• The £1 million “allowance” will only be available to officers and employees of a trading company with more than a 5% share of the business. It is also available to owners of businesses that operate as sole traders and in partnerships

Whilst this is not a perfect solution, it is a major retreat by the Treasury and marks a significant victory for the British Chambers of Commerce’s lobbying as the new relief will considerably assist thousands of Chamber member businesses.

Andy Burnham MP, Chief Secretary at the Treasury has made clear to the BCC that our lobbying had been a major factor, even as late as today, in helping shape the Government’s announcement today. Having all Chambers sign a letter to the Chancellor expressing our concern about the original proposals was extremely powerful and today’s announcement shows what we can achieve collectively.

Today’s decision reinforces the fact that when you join your local Chamber of Commerce, you really are joining the ultimate business network.

Number 10 Downing Street has approved a petition that was launched requesting a new public holiday falling on the Monday after Remembrance Sunday in November each year. This would be known as the National Remembrance Holiday.

It’s got three aims:

1. To emphasise the remembrance of those servicemen and women who have given, and continue to give, their lives for Britain
2. To remind people of the importance of protecting our Nation and
   what it stands for;
3. To break that 3 month period between the August Public Holiday and Christmas when there are currently no long weekends, especially as the
   UK has fewer public holidays than most European Countries.

If you agree to the idea, you can sign up to the petition online - it doesn’t
take long. Just visit http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/remembermonday/ and follow the instructions.

If you have a view or opinion about this, let us know by leaving a comment.