Weak Start To 2024 For UK Exports

Weak Start To 2024 For UK Exports

Responding to the latest Office for National Statistics data on UK trade for January, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said: “There was a slow start to the year in export volumes for both goods and services, with a modest rise in volumes of goods imports.  But…

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Rocky Path Ahead In Search For Sustained Growth

Reacting to the latest GDP figures published this morning, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said:    “Today’s data, showing an estimated 0.1% decline in GDP in the three months to January is further evidence that the UK economy remains in a precarious state. However,…

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Mixed Signals On Labour Market Continue

Responding to the latest labour market data from the ONS, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:          “With wages continuing to outpace inflation, alongside high levels of economic inactivity – including long-term sickness, the picture for businesses trying to recruit remains challenging.   …

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Scale of Workplace Equity Challenge Revealed

Polling for the British Chambers of Commerce reveals a quarter of surveyed employees (25%) believe that not everyone in their workplace has the same access to opportunities. Over a quarter (28%) of employees surveyed aren’t aware of the term ‘workplace equity’ or have no understanding of what it means. 28% of respondents say they believe they’ve unfairly missed out on a workplace opportunity in the past…

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Budget Boosts Jobs But Economic Challenge Remains

Reacting to the Chancellor’s Budget, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “Following the Autumn Statement this Budget was always set to deliver less for business although changes to National Insurance will provide some momentum. “However, beyond this there were no major announcements to help shift the dial on…

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BCC Welcomes MC13 Outcomes But More To Do 

Responding to the outcomes from the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “These were difficult and robust discussions between the world’s trade ministers, key officials, and the WTO, but they were ultimately successful. “The main objectives…

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BCC Economic Forecast: Recession Expected To End But Growth Will Be Weak

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast has slightly upgraded growth expectations for 2024 and 2025, as the recession lasts just two quarters, but strong growth will remain elusive.      UK Economic Outlook             The UK economy is expected to grow every year until the end of 2026…

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Recession Expected To End But Growth Will Be Weak

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast has slightly upgraded growth expectations for 2024 and 2025, as the recession lasts just two quarters, but strong growth will remain elusive.      UK Economic Outlook             The UK economy is expected to grow every year until the end of 2026…

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Empowering Local Economies – A Key To UK Prosperity

The British Chambers of Commerce new Local Economy Of The Future report sets out 16 policies that could transform the UK’s growth potential by empowering businesses, communities and local government. Among the crucial changes it recommends are: Devolving more powers to regional and local government so decision-making is closer to…

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BCC launch industry-led skills programme to unblock Britain’s planning pressures

The British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with Aviva, is launching a new five-year industry programme to increase skills and capacity in Local Planning Authorities across the country. The programme will seek to raise £3m to pay for at least 100 people to enter the planning industry to increase planning…

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