Responding to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “With the number of vacancies continuing to fall, and unemployment ticking up, there are further signs that the labour market is cooling. “But we are...
Read moreResponding to the latest ONS Trade figures, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “It is difficult to draw concrete conclusions from a single month’s data, but there are signs of a nascent improvement in import and export volumes as global demand slowly...
Read moreResponding to the latest GDP figures, David Bharier Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The data confirms once again that the UK economy is stuck on a low-growth treadmill. With GDP growth of 0.2% in the three months to February, and 0.1% on a monthly...
Read moreThe BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and longest-running independent business survey – shows most firms reporting no improvement in investment levels, sales or cashflow in the first quarter of 2024. After a slight rise in Q4, levels of business confidence have remained static. For the second...
Read moreAccessing finance is becoming more difficult for a large number of SMEs, according to new data from the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit. Around half (49%) of business surveyed who accessed finance felt that getting funding had become more challenging over the past three years. Only 13% said...
Read moreReacting to details of the common user charge being introduced on animal and plant product imports into the UK later this month, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “This is an extremely disappointing decision by Defra on the common usage charge. The...
Read moreThousands of UK businesses are breathing a huge sigh of relief after the European Union decided to lift a huge paperwork burden. Since last autumn, companies exporting products containing iron and steel to the EU, have been required to provide ‘mill certificates’ to prove the elements did not originate...
Read moreThe British Chambers of Commerce has launched its Global Britain Challenge report to boost exports and channel overseas investment into the UK. Among the 28 recommendations are: The ‘Global Britain’ report will be published at an event hosted by Heathrow Airport, on Wednesday 27 March, at the Compass Centre,...
Read moreResponding 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...
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