Fix Digital Foundations to Unlock Growth

12th November 2025

Ahead of the Budget, the President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the Government to prioritise fixing the UK’s digital foundations, to support growth, and capitalise on AI opportunities. In the foreword to a new BCC digital report, Baroness Martha Lane Fox raises concerns that businesses...

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Unemployment Up As Wages Still Outpace Inflation

11th November 2025

Responding to the latest labour market data published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “There is little comfort in this data for businesses or the government. Employers are being squeezed by sky-high employment costs, and we...

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Pre-Budget Caution from the Bank of England

06th November 2025

Reacting to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “With the Budget just weeks away, inflation well above target, and a continued uncertain economic backdrop – today’s rate hold at 4% was unsurprising. The...

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Mayfield Report Can Help Renew UK’s Workforce

05th November 2025

Responding to the publication of the ‘Keep Britain Working Review’ report, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The workplace health crisis is damaging for individuals, employers and the economy. So, this report is a hugely important contribution to tackling the issue...

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Business Awaits Court Decision On Tariffs

05th November 2025

Commenting on the start of a US Supreme Court case on the legality of many US tariffs, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses and governments from across the world will be watching this case closely but could still end up waiting...

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Small Firms Need More Help to Unlock Trade Opportunities

03rd November 2025

New data from the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit, published at the start of International Trade Week, shows a widening divide between the fortunes of different sized UK exporters. The Trade Confidence Outlook results underline the need for urgent Government action, in partnership with business, to help smaller...

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Beaulieu Park Station Opens to Passengers

31st October 2025

The newest station in East Anglia, Beaulieu Park, is now open. The first new station on the Great Eastern Main Line in over a century. The state-of-the-art facility, operated by Greater Anglia, marks a major transport milestone for Chelmsford and the wider East of England. Opening ahead of schedule,...

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Quarterly Recruitment Outlook: Budget Must Tackle Persistent Hiring Problems

27th October 2025

The BCC Insight Unit’s latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO) shows that difficulties in finding staff persist despite rising unemployment. Just over half of firms (54%) surveyed said they had attempted to recruit in the last three months. Of those firms trying to hire staff, 75% said they experienced difficulties,...

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Businesses Squeezed As Inflation Remains High

22nd October 2025

Reacting to the latest inflation data published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:   “Sticky inflation has been in danger of becoming a uniquely British disease as the UK continues to stand out from the rest of the G7....

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Regional Investment Key To UK’s Economic Future

22nd October 2025

Responding to the Chancellor’s speech at the Regional Investment Summit, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “These new investments must drive the partnership between government and business to a new level, as we work together to power up our regions. “To boost economic growth, we have to...

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