North Sea Plan ‘Doomed To Fail’ Without Tax Change

11th December 2025

The BCC has reacted to the Government’s recently released North Sea Future Plan. It commented after accompanying Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce to HM Treasury to hand in a letter signed by 7,000 businesses and workers calling for the windfall tax to be axed. Ben Martin, Policy Manager...

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BCC Economic Forecast: Budget Unlikely to Be Growth Game Changer

11th December 2025

The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests last month’s Budget is unlikely to kickstart the UK economy. The first forecast by a major business organisation since the Chancellor’s statement shows the UK’s growth outlook will remain subdued. The key points: UK Economic Outlook      The UK economy...

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Pharmaceuticals Deal A Welcome Boost For UK

02nd December 2025

Reacting to news of a pharmaceuticals deal with the US, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The original trade deal, agreed with the US in May, promised preferential outcomes on pharmaceuticals tariffs for the UK. We are pleased to see this has now been delivered,...

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Employment Rights Amendment Welcomed 

28th November 2025

Reacting to the news that the Government has agreed to a six-month qualifying period for unfair dismissal in the Employment Rights Bill, the six business groups involved in tripartite discussions, said:   “Businesses will be relieved that the Government has agreed to a key amendment to the Employment Rights Bill...

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Relief On Tax But No Blueprint For Growth

26th November 2025

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget statement, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “The Chancellor has listened to our calls and made the right choice by not piling major new tax rises on businesses’ shoulders, which will calm nerves. “Firms will be pleased to see...

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Budget Support Vital As Wages Push Up Costs

26th November 2025

Reacting to the planned increases in the National Living and Minimum Wages, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “People are at the heart of every thriving business, and employers want to ensure their workforce is happy, engaged and well paid. “However,...

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Customs Reform Needed As Import Rules Change

24th November 2025

Responding to news of the Government’s plan to widen customs charges to low value goods entering the UK, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “This has been on the cards for a while as the US has already made this change and the EU will do so at...

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Shifting World Order Makes Supply Chain Security ‘Critical’

24th November 2025

Responding to the launch of a Critical Minerals Strategy, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy, said: “If the UK is to keep its place at the table of the world’s biggest and most developed economies then it must diversify and improve its supply chain security. “Advanced manufacturing needs guaranteed...

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BCC Appoints New Director Of Policy and Insights

20th November 2025

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has appointed Kate Shoesmith as its new Director of Policy and Insights. She will take up the position at the start of December and lead a 10-strong team of policy and research experts. Kate is joining the BCC from the Recruitment & Employment...

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Budget Must Kickstart Sluggish Economy

13th November 2025

Reacting to the latest GDP data published this morning by the ONS, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said:  “With a backdrop of weak business and investment confidence, sluggish Q3 growth of just 0.1% is unsurprising.  “But the data suggests the cyber-attack on JLR hit...

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