Services and Digital Trade ‘Key To Boosting Exports’

Services and Digital Trade ‘Key To Boosting Exports’

The British Chambers of Commerce has endorsed the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) focus on services and digital trade as key priorities.     The BCC was part of a record-size UK delegation to the WTO Public Forum in Geneva, last week. It met with the UK Ambassador to the WTO, the…

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Equity Commission Urges Action On Workplace Barriers

The Workplace Equity Commission, convened by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), has outlined more than 40 recommendations to improve employment opportunities and breakdown barriers for people in the workplace.     The Commission has focused on supporting the 5.5 million SMEs across the UK, which need support to shift the…

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BCC Economic Forecast: Growth Ticking Up But Major Uncertainties Remain

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast (QEF) has upgraded growth expectations for 2024 following an improved picture so far this year. The forecast for 2025 remains unchanged, with a minor upward revision for 2026.        UK Economic Outlook           The QEF, winner of the 2024 FocusEconomics award…

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Call for New Taskforce To Protect North Sea Jobs

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for an independent taskforce to urgently examine energy transition in the North Sea and safeguard tens of thousands of UK jobs.     It comes after a new BCC report published today, found a careful balancing act will be needed to reach Net…

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Positive Picture on Growth Continues

Responding to the latest GDP figures published by the ONS, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said:    “The UK economy got off to a good start this year, and the provisional data for Q2 shows that positive story is continuing. It’s clear that a strong performance…

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Inflation Ticks Up But Remains Close to Target

Reacting to the latest ONS data on inflation, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Businesses will be pleased to see that inflation remains close to target, despite a small rise in the CPI rate last month. “An increase was expected, with our own forecast suggesting…

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Labour Market Tensions Remain

Responding to the latest ONS labour market data, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:      “The labour market is continuing to give mixed signals as the number of vacancies declines for the 25th time alongside persistently high levels of economic inactivity and…

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Bleak Trade Picture For Most SME Exporters

BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook for Q2 2024 shows most SME exporters overseas sales are flatlining.  More than half of all SME exporters (52%) saw no change in overseas sales, and 21% reported a decrease. Just over a quarter of exporting SME firms (27%) saw their overseas sales rise in Q2.…

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Planning Framework Must Be A Catalyst For Growth

Responding to the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the BCC, said:     “This framework has the potential to unlock the planning system in England and boost economic growth, but the proof of success will inevitably be judged in its delivery…

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Businesses Eager For Clarity

Responding to today’s statement by the Chancellor, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:     “If businesses succeed, our communities prosper, the economy grows, and the wealth needed to support our public services is created.     “Companies know that efficient management of public finances and services…

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