Business Insight Key To Successful Devolution 

31st July 2026

Responding to No10’s plans to hand Mayors a greater share of locally generated tax revenue, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Putting more decision-making closer to local economies can help unlock growth. But it must be focused on the practical barriers businesses face...

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Rate Hold Puts Spotlight On Chancellor 

30th July 2026

Responding to the Bank of England interest rate decision to hold, David  Bharier, Deputy Director of Economics and Insight at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:  “Renewed escalation in the Middle East has compounded market volatility, and against that backdrop, the Bank’s decision to hold looks like the right...

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Alarm Bells Ringing As Services Exports Fall

16th July 2026

Commenting on the latest trade data released by the Office for National Statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:    “Goods exports fared well in May with a 5.2% increase in volume, particularly in chemicals exports to the rest of the world. By comparison, goods exports to the EU rose more modestly...

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UK Exporters Floundering As Headwinds Build

16th July 2026

New research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit, involving over 2,400  exporters, shows overseas exports have fallen dramatically in the second quarter.  The survey, carried out between Monday 11 May and Monday 9 June, found that just 16% of exporters reported an increase in export orders, while 26% reported a fall, and 58% reported...

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New PM will Inherit Fragile Economy

16th July 2026

Responding to the latest GDP data, published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The latest ONS data shows a fragile economy weighed down by geopolitical tensions and domestic cost pressures. “With GDP growing by 0.7% in...

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New Era As UK-India Trade Deal Begins

15th July 2026

Reacting to the UK-India trade deal entering into force, Steve Lynch MBE, Director of International Trade at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:    “It has been a tough few years for UK traders but there is a real buzz among businesses about this deal entering into force. It is...

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Business Backs Focus On Trade and Devolution

15th July 2026

Responding to the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech, Kate Shoesmith, Policy Director at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “There were clear themes in tonight’s speech by the Chancellor that businesses will hope are carried on by Andy Burnham’s new administration. “Over the last two years, the Chancellor has supported...

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BCC Welcomes Enhanced Swiss Trade Deal

14th July 2026

Reacting to news of an upgraded free trade agreement with Switzerland, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This is an important upgrade as Switzerland is one of the UK’s largest trading partners, especially in services. It will provide welcome certainty for thousands of companies in...

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Chancellor to unlock billions in finance for small businesses

14th July 2026

Tens of thousands of small businesses to receive a boost, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announces most significant reforms to small business finance in years. The changes will help businesses grow, invest and create jobs across the country, and come ahead of the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech on Tuesday. It...

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Recruitment Challenges Continue to Stall Hiring

13th July 2026

Less than a quarter (23%) of firms are expecting to increase the size of their workforce over the coming months, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The BCC’s Quarterly Recruitment Outlook shows most businesses (66%) are planning to keep with their existing staffing...

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