Responding 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...
Read moreReacting to the latest ONS data on inflation, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “Today’s data indicating a 2% increase in the CPI rate shows the UK is exiting its three-year inflation crisis and makes a bank rate cut more likely. “Our own indicator, tracking business...
Read moreThe latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO), a survey of more than 4,700 UK firms of all sectors and sizes, by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit, reveals hiring problems have increased across all sectors. The second quarter results for 2024 show that 59% of respondents said they...
Read moreResponding to the latest GDP figures published this morning by the ONS, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The UK has had a strong start to the year and today’s data showing 0.9% growth in GDP in the three months to May is...
Read moreThe BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey – the UK’s largest and longest-running independent business survey – shows measures of business confidence and business conditions slightly improved in Q2 2024, albeit from a very low base. 38% of firms (compared with 36% in Q1) said they had seen an increase in...
Read moreThe political map of the United Kingdom and of Essex has changed dramatically following the general election. Congratulations to all the successful candidates and commiserations to those who have been unsuccessful. As an apolitical organisation Essex Chambers of Commerce will continue to work with all parties for the betterment...
Read moreDirector General of the BCC, Shevaun Haviland, has congratulated Labour on its decisive general election victory and pledged to work in partnership with the new Government to boost the economy. She made the promise after Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, officially conceded the election result this morning, and said: “Congratulations...
Read moreDirector General of the BCC, Shevaun Haviland, has urged the next Government to stop treading on eggshells around trade with the EU if it wants to grow the UK economy. She will make the plea at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Global Annual Conference 2024 on Thursday June 27....
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