LOCAL businesses are being urged to attend the annual conference of the British Chambers of Commerce to get the low-down on the economic scene in general election year.

Mike Ashton, chief executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "The BCC annual conference is not only the chance to hear from a range of influential and insightful speakers in the run up to what promises to be an immensely hard-fought election, but the opportunity for local businesses to gain a fuller understanding of the wider chamber network and the situation facing businesses across the country."

The conference takes place on Tuesday, February 10 at the QEII Conference Centre in London. Keynote speeches will be delivered by influential members of parliament including Ed Balls, shadow chancellor of the exchequer, William Hague, leader of the House of Commons, and John Swinney, deputy first minister of Scotland. They will be joined by Sir Clive Woodward, the man who spearheaded England’s famous win at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Martin Wolf, associate editor of the Financial Times, and Angus Thirwell, chief executive and founder of Hotel Chocolate.

John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “This year's general election is set to be the most unpredictable vote in decades. Our annual conference – set in the crucial run up to the polls - offers senior politicians the opportunity to clearly set out how they will deliver a more confident and more enterprising Britain. By setting out a true ‘Business Plan for Britain’, the political parties can instil confidence among British businesses across the country, so they can focus on delivering long –term growth and prosperity for the UK.”

Tickets are available by visiting the annual conference website: http://www.bccconference.co.uk/