A ‘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 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...
Read moreResponding to the outcomes from the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “These were difficult and robust discussions between the world’s trade ministers, key officials, and the WTO, but they were ultimately successful. “The main...
Read moreThe British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast has slightly upgraded growth expectations for 2024 and 2025, as the recession lasts just two quarters, but strong growth will remain elusive. UK Economic Outlook The UK economy is expected to grow every year until the end of 2026 but...
Read moreLocal Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) across England “are working and beginning to make positive differences for local employers”, according to a new report commissioned by the British Chambers of Commerce. Based on evidence from 21 of the 32 chamber led LSIPs, the evaluation report concludes that the process is...
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