Local Support, International Reach
Commenting on the latest trade data released by the Office for National Statistics, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “February was a weak month for UK exports, even before the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. The one high point was increased goods sales to the...
Read moreResponding to the latest GDP data published this morning by the Office for National Statistics, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “GDP growth of 0.5% in the three months to February shows the UK economy performed better than expected at the start of...
Read moreNew research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit, involving over 2,000 exporters, shows they were continuing to toil ahead of the disruption caused by the Iran War. The survey, carried out between Monday 9 February and Monday 9 March, found that overall, 25% of exporters reported an increase...
Read moreResponding to the government’s proposals on Trade Union Rights of Access, Kate Shoesmith, Director of Policy at the BCC, said: “Smaller firms fear that plans to give Trade Unions new rights of access to their premises will damage productivity at a time when they are already under significant pressure. “Good...
Read moreNearly three quarters of firms (71%) say they experienced hiring difficulties in Q1 of 2026, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The research, published as the first elements of the Employment Rights Act come into effect, shows just 29% of businesses reporting no...
Read moreConfidence among firms remained fragile at the start of 2026, despite some small shoots of recovery, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also shows labour costs continued to be the biggest cost concern for businesses in Q1, followed...
Read moreThe Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) will today (Thursday March 26) rally businesses to respond to rising geopolitical instability by deepening trade rather than retreating. Shevaun Haviland will tell delegates at the BCC’s Driving International Trade Conference in central London that: “The global economy is...
Read moreResponding to the latest inflation data, published this morning by the Office for National Statistics, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “For businesses across the UK, today’s inflation data represents the calm before the storm. “CPI of 3% in February shows an economy yet...
Read moreReacting to the publication of the UK Government’s Steel Strategy and its decision on new import quotas and tariffs from 1 July, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “The Steel Strategy provides businesses with a clear vision on the government’s aims for competitiveness and resilience...
Read moreReacting to the latest interest rate decision, by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The geopolitical kaleidoscope has been dramatically shaken since the Bank last met to set the interest rate. Today’s decision to hold rates at 3.75% was...
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