GOODS EXPORTS RISE ACROSS RANGE OF SECTORS

11th October 2024

Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The last three months have seen big swings in UK goods exports, with a double-digit fall in sales sandwiched between two double-digit increases. “Taking the data from June to August, overall,...

Read more

Growth Tentative As Uncertainty Remains

11th October 2024

Responding to the latest ONS data on GDP, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “With GDP rising 0.2% in the three months to August, as well as in the month itself, growth lifted at the end of summer after flatlining in the previous months. Services continued...

Read more

Employment Reform Must Work For Business

10th October 2024

Responding to the unveiling of the Government’s legislation on employment reform, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “This is the biggest shake up of employment law in decades. These are huge changes and businesses must be engaged and supported on them every step of...

Read more

BCC Quarterly Economic Survey: Business Conditions Stall as Tax Anxiety Grow

08th October 2024

In the first major survey of business sentiment since the General Election, the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and longest running independent business survey – shows taxation is now the main area of concern for businesses. Ahead of the Budget later this month, 48% of firms...

Read more

Planning Reform Must ‘Move Ahead at Pace’ 

25th September 2024

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for swift action by the Government to reform planning in England, to help stimulate business investment and unlock growth.  In a submission to the consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) the BCC is urging ministers to...

Read more

BCC Reacts to Prime Minister’s Conference Speech

24th September 2024

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The Prime Minister rightly set out the importance of stabilising and growing the economy during his speech. Businesses stand ready to work in partnership with Government to reach those goals. “Firms also wanted to hear an upbeat plan...

Read more

BCC reacts to Chancellor’s speech 

23rd September 2024

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:   “It was encouraging to hear the Chancellor recognising the huge potential of British business to grow the economy and her ambition to make that happen.  “Today’s speech has set the scene for her first budget which will be a huge moment to...

Read more

Chancellor Must Deliver Growth Focused Budget

19th September 2024

The British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to use her first Budget to seize the moment to boost business and grow the UK economy. The BCC’s budget submission focuses on policy recommendations to encourage investment, strengthen the workforce and develop our local economies. The...

Read more

Cautious Approach on Rates Continues

19th September 2024

Reacting to the Bank of England’s decision to hold the interest rate at 5%, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s decision by the MPC to hold the interest rate at 5% is as expected and shows the Bank is taking a cautious...

Read more

Headline Inflation Steady But Volatility Remains

18th September 2024

Reacting to the latest ONS data on inflation, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “With CPI remaining steady in August at 2.2%, headline inflation continues to move into slightly calmer waters. However, some of the underlying data shows that clear areas of volatility...

Read more