Surgical Red-Tape Cuts Can Boost Business

13th March 2025

Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech on regulation and civil service reform, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses want regulation which supports rather than hampers them – and we’re encouraged by the Prime Minister’s speech. “A pledge to cut red tape and unnecessary...

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US Tariffs Hit UK Business

12th March 2025

Reacting to the introduction of 25 percent tariffs on exports of UK steel and aluminium to the United States, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said: “This is a difficult day for trans-Atlantic trade and plunges businesses, in both the US and UK, into a new age of...

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Planning and Infrastructure Reform Must Benefit Business

12th March 2025

Responding to the unveiling of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said:  “It’s encouraging to see the Government has heeded our calls to tackle the problems of the UK’s worn-out infrastructure to fire up growth.  “These reforms have great potential...

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UK Must Transform Archaic Infrastructure

10th March 2025

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on the Government to tackle the problems of the UK’s worn-out infrastructure to fire up growth. Among the recommendations in a new report the BCC is calling for ministers to: The report has been produced by the BCC’s Local Economy of...

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BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Downgraded as Firms Struggle to Invest and Export

06th March 2025

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has revised down growth expectations for 2025, as firms deal with a raft of rising cost pressures. Business investment and exports are likely to suffer this year because of the impact of the National Insurance rise and global uncertainties....

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Fresh Uncertainty On US Tariffs

05th March 2025

Reacting to the latest remarks by the US President on tariffs, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said:   “Businesses have been plunged into more uncertainty around the future of tariffs on UK goods after the President’s announcements last night. “The signals from the White House, last week, had...

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Employment Rights Bill to boost productivity for British workers and grow the economy

05th March 2025

The Government table amendments to the Employment Rights Bill. On Tuesday 4 March the Government tabled amendments to the Employment Rights Bill following weeks of consultation and responses from business groups, trade unions and wider civil society. These amendments demonstrate the Government’s commitment to working in partnership with businesses...

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Encouraging Signals On US Trade

28th February 2025

Reacting to remarks by the US President and UK Prime Minister on tariffs and trade deals, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said:  “The signals from the White House tonight would suggest this was a successful meeting from a UK trade perspective. “Businesses will be encouraged by the...

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National Insurance Creating ‘Powder Keg’ of Costs

26th February 2025

The overwhelming majority of businesses say the rise in employer National Insurance contributions will force them to change their plans, according to new research by the BCC Insight’s Unit, in partnership with professional services firm AAB. With under six weeks until the NI rise comes in, 82% of firms...

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Labour Market Update: Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners – February 2025

19th February 2025

Yesterday, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the latest labour market data including insights on the unemployment rate, economic inactivity, vacancies, and pay growth. Recruitment experts, Pertemps, have produced a summary of the data for small businesses. Overall trends – February 2025 Market Overview: Between October and December...

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