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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UK Risks Falling Behind In Race To Net Zero 

30th October 2025

The UK risks falling behind in the global green innovation race because of significant barriers to low-carbon investment, according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).   Research by McKinsey suggests the net zero transition could be worth over £1 trillion to UK business by 2030.  With the UN Climate...

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Lords’ Amendments Give Firms Hope 

29th October 2025

Reacting to the news that the House of Lords has re-inserted key amendments to the Employment Rights Bill, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, said:  “We are fast reaching the end of the road for crucial changes, that businesses desperately want to see, to be made to...

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Firms Seek Certainty As US-China Trade Talks Loom 

28th October 2025

Assessing the mood of business ahead of President Trump’s discussions with China’s President XI this week, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “Businesses will be watching these talks very closely in the hope of divining some certainty on the direction of travel for global trade.   “There were some...

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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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