• BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook for Q2 2024 shows most SME exporters overseas sales are flatlining.• More than half of all SME exporters (52%) saw no change in overseas sales, and 21% reported a decrease. • Just over a quarter of exporting SME firms (27%) saw their overseas sales rise...
Read moreResponding to the Bank of England’s decision to cut the interest rate, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s decision by the Bank to cut the interest rate gives many smaller firms welcome breathing space and could trigger an increase in investment as...
Read moreResponding to the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “This framework has the potential to unlock the planning system in England and boost economic growth, but the proof of success will inevitably be judged in its delivery...
Read moreResponding to today’s statement by the Chancellor, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “If businesses succeed, our communities prosper, the economy grows, and the wealth needed to support our public services is created. “Companies know that efficient management of public finances and services is...
Read moreReacting to the UK joining the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) E-commerce initiative, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This deal between the UK and 90 of its global trading partners is good news for business. We are expecting global trade to show good growth this...
Read moreThe majority of SMEs are still not using artificial intelligence, despite a growing acceptance by businesses that it will help boost productivity. Research carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit in partnership with specialist recruiter Pertemps Network Group, shows: The BCC research found overall, 43% of...
Read moreReacting to the launch of the Pathways Into Employment report and plans for a new Government White Paper, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “The Government is right to focus on getting more people into jobs and giving local areas the tools to do...
Read moreResponding to the launch of Skills England, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “The UK economy has a pervasive skills and productivity problem that stretches back long before the pandemic and Brexit. “Skills shortages ramp up pressure on firms, damaging their ability to operate profitably...
Read moreResponding to the latest labour market data published by the ONS, Jane Gratton Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The labour market is continuing to cool but high wage growth is still bearing down heavily on businesses. Our research shows labour costs are...
Read moreResponding to today’s King’s Speech, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The commitment to an industrial strategy could put in place a framework to unleash the pent-up ambition of British business to grow the economy. “If we use it to make green innovation a...
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