Inflation Eases But Volatility Ahead

Inflation Eases But Volatility Ahead

Reacting to the latest inflation data, published by the ONS this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s data showing the CPI rate slowed to 2.8% in February is good news, but it’s too early to be certain on the direction of travel.…

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Spring Statement Must Offer Olive Branch To Business

Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s Spring Statement, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:    “Businesses are feeling battered and bruised by the heavy cost pressures looming within days. The Chancellor must use her Spring Statement to offer some respite.    “From next week, firms face an…

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BCC WELCOMES NEW ERA OF ECONOMIC DIPLOMACY

Reacting to a speech by the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, at the BCC’s Driving International Trade Conference, Director General, Shevaun Haviland, said:    “The Foreign Secretary’s announcements on a closer working relationship with UK business will be music to their ears.    “Quarterly meetings, trade roadshows, better intelligence sharing, and…

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Bank Continues Along Monetary Policy Tightrope

Reacting to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said:    “Today’s widely expected interest rate hold highlights the tightrope the Bank is walking, in the face of mounting global uncertainty and rising cost pressures.    …

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Director General’s Speech to Driving International Trade Conference

Full transcript of BCC Director General, Shevaun Haviland’s, speech to the BCC’s Driving International Trade Conference, Thursday 20 March:      Good morning all and welcome to our Driving International Trade Conference. We’re very excited about today… it’s going to be a great day.      It’s fantastic to have a room…

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Labour Pressures Continue for Businesses

Reacting to the latest labour market data, published by the ONS this morning, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:    “The labour market remains a significant challenge for employers who are struggling with skills shortages, higher wage costs and the imminent hike in…

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BCC Director General calls for ‘new settlement with our closest neighbours’

Director General Shevaun Haviland calls on the Government to push for a new settlement with the EU to support British businesses to expand and drive growth.  More than 400 businesses are expected at the British Chambers of Commerce’s 2025 Driving International Trade Conference in Central London. Haviland is speaking ahead…

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Growth Suffers As Firms Face Choppy Waters Ahead

Responding to the latest GDP data released by the ONS, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “With businesses facing an impending avalanche of cost pressures, it’s unsurprising that growth is in trouble. With GDP shrinking in January and an expansion of just 0.2% for the…

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Surgical Red-Tape Cuts Can Boost Business

Responding to the Prime Minister’s speech on regulation and civil service reform, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses want regulation which supports rather than hampers them – and we’re encouraged by the Prime Minister’s speech today. “A pledge to cut red tape and unnecessary…

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US Tariffs Hit UK Business

Reacting to the introduction of 25 percent tariffs on exports of UK steel and aluminium to the United States, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said: “This is a difficult day for trans-Atlantic trade and plunges businesses, in both the US and UK, into a new age of uncertainty.…

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