SME Divide Revealed on Environmental Targets

SME Divide Revealed on Environmental Targets

Ahead of COP 29, the UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) research has found a clear divide among SMEs on environmental targets. The survey, by the BCC’s award-winning Insights Unit, shows around half of firms with more than 50 employees say they have a recycling…

Read Story

Rate Respite for Businesses after Tough Budget

Responding to the latest interest rate decision by the Bank of England, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said:    “As businesses continue to digest the difficult implications of last week’s Budget, a further interest rate cut is some good news for firms.     “The…

Read Story

Tough Budget For Business

Reacting to the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:     “This is a tough budget for business to swallow but the Chancellor has looked to ease the pain by holding out a promise of better days ahead.    “While some protection for smaller firms is…

Read Story

Government Action Needed to Boost Vital £32bn Visitor Economy

Strong industry-Government partnerships are key to ensuring the UK’s visitor economy continues to thrive, according to a new report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts.    • To help grow the tourism, hospitality, events and attractions industries, the report makes a series…

Read Story

Tax Reform Can Ease Workplace Health Crisis

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the Chancellor to ease the workplace health crisis by reforming the tax system. Its two calls ahead of the Autumn Budget are: For the Government to make all occupational health, cash plans and medical insurance a non-taxable benefit in kind for employees.…

Read Story

Labour Market Remains In Flux

Responding to the latest ONS labour market statistics, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “With vacancies continuing to fall and the pace of wage rises slowing, it would appear there are further signs of the labour market loosening.     “It’s good to…

Read Story

Quarterly Recruitment Outlook: Fewer Firms Recruiting

The proportion of firms attempting to recruit new workers falls to its lowest level in three years at 56%. There are significant sectoral differences with transport (73%), hospitality (70%) and construction (67%) most likely to be attempting to recruit.  Of those attempting to recruit 76% faced difficulties, up from 74%…

Read Story

Industrial Strategy Must Give UK A Competitive Advantage

Reacting to news of the launch of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:    “An industrial strategy is a key plank of the UK’s growth agenda; it is vital in securing the long-term stability that businesses need to plan ahead and invest.     “But…

Read Story

Employment Reform Must Work For Business

Responding to the unveiling of the Government’s legislation on employment reform, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said: “This is the biggest shake up of employment law in decades. These are huge changes and businesses must be engaged and supported on them every step of the…

Read Story

BCC Quarterly Economic Survey: Business Conditions Stall As Tax Anxiety Grows

• Following improvements to business conditions in the first half of 2024, key indicators stalled or declined in Q3 – with manufacturing suffering the most. • Taxation is now more of a concern than inflation for business, cited by nearly half of firms (48%). • Business confidence has declined slightly,…

Read Story