Local Support, International Reach
Reacting to the latest labour market data from the ONS published this morning, Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The latest data indicates businesses are still not feeling confident about taking on more staff or expanding their operations. “The rate of unemployment...
Read moreResponding to news that the US plans to introduce fresh 10% tariffs on UK goods, from next month, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “New tariffs on goods exported to the US will be more bad news for UK exporters, already struggling...
Read moreResponding to the latest GDP data, published by the Office for National Statistics this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Better than expected GDP data suggests the impact of pre-Budget jitters among businesses may have been less than predicted. Firms will welcome confirmation...
Read moreReacting to the announcement on Northern Powerhouse Rail, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: “For far too long the North has been left to languish and missed out on the crucial investment in infrastructure needed to realise its economic potential. “If Northern Powerhouse Rail...
Read moreSeven of the UK’s major business groups have written an open letter to the government to support its commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). The British Chambers of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry, Enterprise Nation, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Institute of Directors, Make UK and Small...
Read moreDespite hiring problems easing, fewer firms are expecting to grow their workforce in early 2026, according to the latest data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The BCC’s Quarterly Recruitment Outlook shows less than a quarter (23%) of surveyed businesses are planning to increase the size of their...
Read moreThe BCC is calling on the Treasury to rethink its plans for business rates as anxiety about changes to the system in April reaches record levels. In the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) Q4 2025, a third of firms (34%) said they are worried about business rates. This is...
Read moreConfidence among firms has continued to weaken, with tax remaining the biggest concern, according to the UK’s largest business sentiment survey. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Survey also found more businesses now expect to raise prices in 2026. Less than half of responding firms (46%) are...
Read moreA new survey by the BCC’s Insights Unit of 989 businesses (96% SMEs) shows EU trade is becoming increasingly difficult, and this year’s reset needs to continue at real pace in 2026 to deliver vital deals for businesses. The BCC has used the data to create a business manifesto for the EU Reset...
Read moreResponding to the latest Bank of England interest rate decision, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: “Today’s interest rate cut to 3.75%, is a much-needed Christmas gift for businesses across the UK. However, unwrapping growth remains a huge challenge. “With the economy flatlining, wage...
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