An independent taskforce has met for the first time to ensure the North Sea’s strategic transition from oil and gas to a renewable future, while safeguarding up to 200,000 jobs. The North Sea Transition Taskforce brings together a diverse group of experts from industry, sustainability, supply chains, academia, and...
Read moreThe British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insight Unit’s latest Quarterly Recruitment Outlook (QRO) reveals less than a quarter of firms increased their workforce in the final three months of 2024. The survey shows 24% of responding businesses said they had increased their staffing numbers over the last three months,...
Read moreIn the largest poll of business sentiment since October’s Budget, the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey, shows concern about tax, including national insurance, has spiked. Following the Chancellor’s autumn statement, 63% of firms cited it as a worry (compared with 48% in Q3), the highest level on record. Concern about...
Read moreA new survey by the BCC’s Insights Unit of 1,111 businesses (92% SMEs) shows the urgency for the Government to reset trade relations with the EU is increasing. The BCC report, assessing the fourth year of Brexit, identifies fresh challenges as regulations continue to diverge, creating further headaches for...
Read moreReacting to the latest interest rate decision, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “With inflation ticking up and wage growth accelerating, it’s unsurprising the Bank of England is adopting a cautious approach by holding interest rates at 4.75%. “Our recent forecast suggests further cuts...
Read moreReacting to the latest inflation data released this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “A slight ticking-up of the CPI to 2.6% shows that inflation remains a threat to the UK economy. The Bank of England is likely to remain cautious and...
Read moreEducation Secretary and Business Secretary host call with business leaders from a range of key sectors to outline how the Plan for Change will deliver for them. The government will enlist the help of business to help it develop skills opportunities to meet the government’s mission to kickstart economic...
Read moreReacting to the latest ONS Labour Market data published this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy said: “News that wages have been rising faster will be a concern for businesses as they continue to grapple with the huge increase in employment costs announced in the autumn Budget. The...
Read moreReacting to the UK formally joining the Comprehensive and Progressive agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) today, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “This is a red-letter day for our traders. There are few multi-national trade agreements like the CPTPP. It connects us to a fast-growing region...
Read moreResponding to the latest ONS data on trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “There has been a slowdown in both services and goods trade in the three months since July. This links in with other economic data showing a dampening of demand. “Trade data...
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