Policy

GIVING BUSINESS A VOICE:

WHY POLICY MATTERS

Over the past twelve months Liverpool Chamber has been reviewing how we engage with members around our campaigning and policy agenda to provide a more dynamic and interactive approach, which creates more value for our members including through our marketing and events programme.

If you have never considered getting engaged in the Chamber’s policy work here are four good reasons why you might want to change your mind:

1. Providing your expertise and experience:

we need the invaluable data and evidence you can give us to make the case for business at local, regional and national level, allowing us to campaign and challenge on your behalf. We work closely with colleagues in the British Chambers of Commerce to ensure they are representing your voice at government level as well as building relationships with local decision makers in both the city council and the Combined Authority.

2. Keeping you informed:

we recognise that many businesses simply don’t have the time to read every government announcement or respond to numerous surveys and consultations so won’t always be aware of new legislation or funding opportunities which might impact on your business.

We highlight what you need to know and share the information through our media channels or directly with those businesses who will be impacted the most.

3. Celebrating your achievements:

we want to highlight all the excellent work that our members are doing across so many policy areas, including responsible business, net zero and skills and employability.

Sharing your experiences helps to inspire other businesses and supports the city region’s wider social, economic and environmental aspirations.

4. Your opinion matters:

the work we do around policy informs the campaigning work we do as well as our events programme, shaping the services we offer members and providing opportunities for you to influence how best we can support your business.

There are a number of ways you can get involved including: becoming a member of one of our Expert Panels who provide expertise around key policy areas; signing up for and contributing to our Voice of Business monthly bulletin; attending our quarterly economic breakfast briefings and completing our Quarterly Economic Surveys. Contact the team at policy@liverpoolchamber.org.uk for more information.

PUTTING BUSINESS

AT THE HEART OF THE TRANSPORT DEBATE

Michelle Cameron, Senior Policy and Strategic Communications Advisor

A recent report concluded that key cities across the North are losing out on more than £16bn in productivity because of poor public transport systems. So whilst the Government’s recent confirmation that the Liverpool City Region is to get £710m to improve public transport across the region is excellent news, the decision to curtail investment on schemes like Northern Powerhouse Rail is disappointing.

Transport has an impact on all aspects of business – economic, social and environmental, but all too often investment decisions at local and national level are taken without any real business engagement.

One of the aims of the Chamber’s Transport Expert Panel is to help us to identify and deliver transport priorities for businesses in our region, including improved access to decision makers. Liverpool Chamber currently chairs the British Chamber’s Transport Policy Group which also gives us an opportunity to shape the discussions and campaigns at national level.

Transport can seem overwhelming and of limited interest to the way you operate your business – let us help you to be part of the debate. Get involved by contacting us at

policy@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

“By bringing a diverse group of transport related businesses together, Liverpool Chamber’s Transport Expert Panel has helped to fill a void where we can share issues and developments relating to our business on a local and national level, whilst understanding some of the wider issues for other key transport stakeholders across the region too, instead of working in isolation.” Robin Tudor, Liverpool John Lennon Airport