Category Archives: Business

Comment on business today: see also www.ambrielconsulting.com

Introducing the Exporting is GREAT Campaign

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has launched a new pilot marketing campaign called Exporting is GREAT that will run throughout May 2013 to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) grow internationally. Exporting is GREAT is designed to increase understanding of the benefits of exporting and to drive awareness, and take-up, of the many sources of support and help available. The UKTI knows from research that international trade offers a significant boost to a company’s success. Yet less than 25% [...]

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Interest rate swap meeting

Yesterday, I attended the latest meeting of the All Party Group on Interest Rate Swap Mis-selling, which affects a number of local businesses. Both the products and the process of clearing up after them are causing a great deal of distress and difficulty. As well as giving direct support to constituents on this issue, I made an intervention in the recent debate called by the Group’s chairmen, my colleague Guto Bebb. You can read the full debate here.  I said: [...]

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EU-HSE farce update

On 4 Dec, I explained how a regulatory farce between the EU and the HSE was wasting millions of taxpayers’ money while costing business millions in lost sales. I have now had an update. Thankfully, the Secretary of State has understood the position. Iain Duncan Smith has given instructions which should see this dealt with promptly. The next stage is to deal with two crucial issues: why the HSE couldn’t see the problem they were causing in the first place and [...]

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The EU vs the HSE – another expensive regulatory farce

Yesterday, I heard from a local businessman about the kafkaesque nightmare that has been inflicted upon his industry by the EU – made far, far worse by our own bureaucracy. The firm manufactures water-disinfection systems used in hospitals and other health facilities. The EU has just imposed another round of over-regulation on that particular industry. The new set of rules — the Biocidal Products Regulations – are flawed but what concerns me is the new ban on the use of copper as a [...]

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Via City A.M. – Boris on Starbucks and DC on judicial review

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On the cover of City A.M. this morning, Boris Johnson argues that Starbucks must do more for the UK. Apparently, the Mayor said of Starbucks, “It needs to reflect very fast and very seriously on its position…Either it makes a change in its tax arrangements or does a lot more to visibly serve society.” Now, I was critical of Starbucks in the press myself, but the Mayor is mixing up two issues: paying tax and serving society. As I said [...]

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Real life is catching up with Europe — and the world

After years of governments living beyond their means, with their entire economies buoyed by easy credit, the inescapable laws of real life are catching up with them. As the BBC reports, life in Greece now seems hopeless for many. Reuters reports that the EU is to predict a dire 2013 for Spain. The looming US “fiscal cliff” of tax rises and spending cuts is a priority for re-elected President Barack Obama. And many more examples could be given. The world [...]

Bank on Dave – in Parliament tomorrow

Tomorrow in Parliament, I’m hosting a meeting with Dave Fishwick and MPs to discuss his struggle to start a local, responsible bank in touch with its savers and borrowers. The Channel 4 documentary is here and this Russia Today video gives an overview: The FSA have declined to attend but I’m hoping that MPs hearing from Dave will redouble efforts to persuade the Government to lower barriers to entry in banking. If you would like to ask your MP to [...]

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Good news on GDP

Everyone but the Opposition will be pleased by today’s GDP figures: GDP was estimated to have increased by 1.0 per cent in Q3 2012 compared with Q2 2012 Output of the production industries was estimated to have increased by 1.1 per cent in Q3 2012 compared with Q2 2012, following a decrease of 0.7 per cent between Q1 2012 and Q2 2012 Construction sector output was estimated to have decreased by 2.5 per cent in Q3 2012 compared with Q2 [...]

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Introducing WycombeFirst – “Industry enriches”

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Today, I’m launching WycombeFirst: WycombeFirst is an initiative to promote Wycombe businesses. We know that industry – productive work in the service of others – helps individuals to flourish, builds up society and creates a prosperous future. Each week, WycombeFirst will showcase local businesses in different sectors. We’re proud of Wycombe’s entrepreneurs and workforce – we believe you’ll see why. Find out more here: Why WycombeFirst?

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The Motorcycle Industry Association applauds my defence of UK motorcyclists against EU Legislation

Following the debate I called on motorcycle rider licensing, the Motorcycle Industry Association has “applauded [my] defence of UK motorcyclists against EU Legislation“, The Motorcycle Industry Association (MCI) is fully supportive of MP Steve Baker’s comments this week in parliament, when he accused the EU of ‘heavy-handed mistreatment of bikers’. Steve Baker was referring to proposed legislation regarding motorcycle construction and changes to licensing, which are due to be imposed on the UK by the European Commission next year. Steve [...]

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Steve Baker is MP for Wycombe. He was previously an RAF officer then a business software consultant. Find out more...

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