BCC: MPC should step up effort to strengthen the recovery

Commenting on today’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) interest rate decision, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “Keeping interest rates and quantitative easing on hold was unsurprising and the right decision by the MPC. An early interest rate increase would have been unjustified and potentially damaging at a time when…

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Scottish Business Ambitious to Increase International Trade but Major Barriers Still Exist

Scottish Chambers of Commerce has published the results of a key international trade survey, looking at the obstacles facing existing and potential Scottish exporters. By identifying the challenges facing businesses in Scotland, views on both the domestic market and the international market were gathered. A total of 372 businesses responded…

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British Chambers of Commerce UK Monthly Economic Review for August

This briefing provides an easy-to-use commentary on the key economic indicators for UK businesses. The report also provides a comparison between the economic data compiled by external organisations such as the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the BCC’s own Quarterly Economic Survey and economic forecast. This month’s headlines: •…

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BCC: Positive growth continues but recovery must be nourished

GDP growth in Q2 2014 was 0.8%, the same increase as in Q1 The level of GDP in Q2 2014 was 0.2% higher than its previous peak in Q1 2008 Year-on-year increase in Q2 2014 was 3.1%, marginally higher than in Q1 The service sector led the recovery with quarterly…

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Budget 2014 passes the business test, says BCC

Giving his reaction to the Budget 2014, John Longworth Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “Business wanted a Budget that was disciplined, focused, and geared towards the creation of wealth and jobs – and that’s what the Chancellor has delivered. “With a huge confidence gap still…

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