Chancellor Must Spark Investment Reform

15th July 2025

Ahead of her Mansion House speech tonight, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the Chancellor to carry out further reforms to unlock business investment. The BCC’s latest research, involving over 4,500 firms, shows business confidence remains weak and investment levels low. However, a separate BCC analysis, carried...

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Recruitment Static as Firms Assess NI Impact

15th July 2025

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insight Unit’s latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO) shows hiring remained largely static in Q2 as firms dealt with the employer National Insurance (NI) hike. 55% of responding firms attempted to recruit in the last three months, broadly similar to the 54% in Q1....

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Business Still Sceptical On Employment Rights Bill

14th July 2025

Research by the BCC has found that businesses are worried about the speed with which the Employment Rights Bill is being put through Parliament and have serious concerns about it. Many firms do not think its impact has been properly assessed and fear that, combined with the increased tax...

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UK Trade Stabilises After Tariff Hit

11th July 2025

Responding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:       “UK trade showed signs of stabilising in May as the initial impact of higher US tariffs began to subside. “Services exports and imports showed steady month on month growth of 0.5%....

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Fragile Growth as Business Confidence Struggles

11th July 2025

Responding to the latest GDP data, published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said: “Today’s GDP figures, showing growth of 0.5% in the three months to May, but a fall of 0.1% in the month, reinforce the view that UK growth remains...

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Devolution Plans must Deliver on Local Economic Growth

10th July 2025

After the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was introduced to Parliament, Jonny Haseldine, Head of Corporate Governance and Business Environment Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Businesses will welcome further devolution to communities across England if it helps accelerate local economic growth. “As local leaders take...

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BCC Welcome Clarity On Energy Pricing

10th July 2025

Responding to the government’s decision not to introduce zonal pricing, Ben Martin, Policy Manager at the BCC, said: “We believe the government has made the right decision in ruling out zonal energy pricing. Its Clean Power Mission has the right ambition; to ensure that the UK’s electricity system can...

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Trade Strategy Must Support Smaller Exporters

10th July 2025

The Trade Confidence Outlook, conducted by the BCC’s award-winning Insights Unit, is a survey of just over 2,000 UK exporters.   The data was collected between 12 May and 9 June, after a narrow trade deal with the US was agreed but before any changes came into effect. The EU...

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Funding Opportunity: Growth Catalyst Early Stage – New Innovators

07th July 2025

Innovate UK is offering a share of £10 million to UK-registered micro and small businesses through the Growth Catalyst Early Stage: New Innovators competition. This is aimed at businesses that have not previously received Innovate UK funding and are developing affordable, adoptable, and investable solutions in one or more...

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Celebrating Legacy and Luxury at Fenwick Colchester

03rd July 2025

The British high street is synonymous with iconic brands and cherished institutions. While many household names have sadly disappeared in recent years, Fenwick is a name and a legacy that has survived and thrived for over 140 years. Recently we were delighted to welcome attendees to Fenwick Colchester to...

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