The art of lobbying has been used successfully by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce for nearly 150 years but the passage of time has done nothing to blunt its effectiveness as an important channel of communication and achievement.

History shows that the power of persuasion has served the Chamber membership well. Back in 1862, for instance, a campaign to stop manufacturers from abroad dishonestly using “Made in Sheffield” on their products influenced the Government to introduce the Merchandise Marks Bill which gave protection to all UK manufacturers and not just those in Sheffield.

Since then, effective lobbying has seen the Chamber taking the lead on many issues, often leading to new legislation. In 1924, it helped to change the Government’s mind about the abandonment of a programme to build eight cruisers because of the effect it would have on shipbuilding areas like South Yorkshire.

A few years earlier it had taken a leading part in resisting a proposed increase in telephone charges and was also influential in lobbying for better technical education facilities in the provinces.

So, over the years, our record, and that of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in prevailing on the Government and other agencies to re-think policies, is an impressive one.

The latest illustration comes with Chancellor Alistair Darling’s decision to amend his pre-Budget report announcement that Capital Gains Tax taper relief would end from next April, thereby discouraging entrepreneurs who have enjoyed tax rates as low as ten per cent when disposing of business assets.

Following pressure from the BCC and other UK business groups, he has now come up with concessions which will grant £100,000 in tax relief to business owners who sell up and retire.

It doesn’t address our main concerns but at least he has responded to our lobbying. Furthermore, there is grapevine evidence that the Chancellor may go even further to alleviate our concerns.

Lobbying is having an impact, too, on businesses who suffered from the dreadful flooding in Sheffield last June. The Chamber has been actively updated the Government, local and regional organisations on what support our business members want.  HMRC has reacted by waiving some interest and penalties on late tax payments; Yorkshire Forward has amended its flood recovery grant scheme in response to points raised by local businesses, and Sheffield business men and women have had opportunities to voice their concerns to MPs including Stephen Timms and John Healey in Chamber-organised meetings.

As the leading business support and representation organisation in Yorkshire and Humberside, it is imperative that we provide the highest possible standards of service and value for our membership.