Local Support, International Reach
The UK has a new Prime Minister who has promised to revive the nation’s economic fortunes. But he follows a succession of PMs who have pledged the same without ever managing to consistently deliver. At the BCC, we think about little else than helping businesses and our economy thrive....
Read moreGovernment backs industry to create new British jobs and support local communities with new weighting in public contracts. Businesses bidding for government contracts – a market worth £90bn per year – will be judged on their commitment to creating high-quality British jobs, tackling local skills shortages, and supporting young...
Read moreResponding 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...
Read moreResponding 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...
Read moreCommenting 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...
Read moreNew 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...
Read moreResponding 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...
Read moreReacting 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...
Read moreResponding 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...
Read moreReacting 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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