The Cornwall Chamber of Commerce believes the progress its accredited body has made in lobbying the Government will benefit Cornish businesses.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has been successful on a number of points it was pushing the Government on, with announcements like an extension of furlough and business rates relief, made in the Budget earlier this month.
Cornwall Chamber CEO Kim Conchie said: “Having fed back the concerns of Cornwall’s businesses to the BCC over the course of 2020 we’re delighted with the work the organisation has done to help the Duchy’s businesses.
“The BCC campaigned for an extension of the self-employed support scheme, furlough and business rates relief, all of which were granted by the Government in the Budget.
“In addition, the organisation asked the Government to deliver a new lending scheme, and we got the Recovery Loan Scheme, which is available from April and will see a Government guarantee of 80% on loans of up to £10 million.”
The Government also announced a restart grant scheme offering grants of up to £18k for firms in certain sectors, and a ‘Super Deduction’ investment incentive, whereby companies can claim 130% capital allowance on qualifying investments for the next two years; both of which the BCC pushed for.
Conchie added: “The results show the power of the Chamber of Commerce network. Regional chambers like ours have listened to their members and relayed concerns back to the BCC. The BCC has taken these concerns to government and lobbied hard to achieve fantastic wins for the country’s businesses.
“Whilst the extensions could have been longer in some cases to give businesses the chance to plan and budget, this is most definitely the breathing space we need to get the Duchy back on track.”
