Responding to the latest Bank of England interest rate decision, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s decision to hold interest rates at 5.25% was widely expected. However, it prolongs the period of uncertainty for firms grappling with high borrowing costs. “Our recent...
Read moreResponding to the latest inflation figures from the ONS, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s easing of the CPI rate to 3.4% will give businesses and consumers some sense of relief. At 4.5%, core inflation has also slowed, and the producer price...
Read moreA ‘stable and coherent’ skills strategy is needed to prepare young people for the world of work, according to first ever British Chambers of Commerce Youth Skills Manifesto. The manifesto, sponsored by the leading online secondary school King’s InterHigh, identifies the crucial role of employers in supporting young people...
Read moreThe UK has launched talks with Türkiye on a new, modernised trade deal. The UK launches talks with Türkiye on a new, modernised trade deal targeting the services sector set to benefit businesses across the country. There are huge opportunities as Türkiye has one of the fastest growing economies...
Read moreThe main negative effect cited by businesses was increased costs for new and current finance, which is either restricting investment or limiting cashflow. Firms also referenced a tightening in consumer spending, reduced demand for housing, and higher costs for Covid recovery loans. But the scale of the negative impact has...
Read moreThe BCC’s ‘Future of the Economy’ initiative was the focus of the latest Business Council meeting, held earlier today, alongside Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds. The body, featuring some of the most prominent British companies, has been brought together to discuss the major challenges facing business and to...
Read moreResponding to the latest Office for National Statistics data on UK trade for January, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “There was a slow start to the year in export volumes for both goods and services, with a modest rise in volumes of goods imports. ...
Read moreReacting to the latest GDP figures published this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s data, showing an estimated 0.1% decline in GDP in the three months to January is further evidence that the UK economy remains in a precarious state. However,...
Read moreResponding to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “With wages continuing to outpace inflation, alongside high levels of economic inactivity – including long-term sickness, the picture for businesses trying to recruit remains challenging....
Read moreOn International Women’s Day, new polling carried out for the British Chambers of Commerce by polling agency ‘Find Out Now’ highlights the scale of the challenge to make workplaces across the UK more equitable. Six months into the BCC Workplace Equity Commission’s UK wide inquiry, new data has been...
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