Equity Commission Urges Action On Workplace Barriers

09th September 2024

The Workplace Equity Commission, convened by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), has outlined more than 40 recommendations to improve employment opportunities and breakdown barriers for people in the workplace. The Commission has focused on supporting the 5.5 million SMEs across the UK, which need support to shift the...

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BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Ticking Up But Major Uncertainties Remain

05th September 2024

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has upgraded growth expectations for 2024 following an improved picture so far this year. The forecast for 2025 remains unchanged, with a minor upward revision for 2026. UK Economic Outlook        The QEF, winner of the 2024 FocusEconomics award for...

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Call for New Taskforce To Protect North Sea Jobs

03rd September 2024

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for an independent taskforce to urgently examine energy transition in the North Sea and safeguard tens of thousands of UK jobs. It comes after a new BCC report, found a careful balancing act will be needed to reach Net Zero and...

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A Successful Year for the Local Skills Improvement Plan

27th August 2024

Essex, Southend, and Thurrock Local Skills Improvement Plan Demonstrates Significant Progress in June 2024 The Essex Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) in conjunction with the Essex Chambers of Commerce is pleased to announce significant progress in the implementation of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), a key initiative aimed...

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Pay as you go with contactless to launch across the entire c2c network this September

27th August 2024

c2c has announced that from next month customers will be able to pay for their journeys right across the c2c route, into London and the wider pay as you go area, by presenting a contactless payment card or device at their departure and arrival stations. c2c is delighted to...

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Strong Month For UK Goods Trade

15th August 2024

Responding to the latest trade figures published by the ONS, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “June was a strong month for UK trade, with goods exports to the EU experiencing a double-digit rise. Services growth was steady for the month, and...

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Positive Picture on Growth Continues  

15th August 2024

Responding to the latest GDP figures published by the ONS, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The UK economy got off to a good start this year, and the provisional data for Q2 shows that positive story is continuing. It’s clear that a strong...

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Inflation Ticks Up But Remains Close to Target 

14th August 2024

Reacting to the latest ONS data on inflation, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses will be pleased to see that inflation remains close to target, despite a small rise in the CPI rate last month. “An increase was expected, with our own forecast...

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UK Innovators Invited to Build a 21st Century City in Korea

13th August 2024

If you have a solution that can help tackle issues like traffic congestion, mental health challenges, safety for vulnerable populations, or environmental concerns, we want to hear from you. Thames Freeport and the Seoul Digital Foundation (SDF) are working in collaboration to scale smart city solutions in new markets....

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Labour Market Tensions Remain

13th August 2024

Responding to the latest ONS labour market data, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:   “The labour market is continuing to give mixed signals as the number of vacancies declines for the 25th time alongside persistently high levels of economic inactivity and...

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