The seven growth tests every Budget must pass Opinion The next Budget will inevitably contain difficult fiscal choices. But before any measure is announced, ministers should be required to answer a far simpler question: What business behaviour is this designed to change, says David Bharier When Rachel Reeves stood at the despatch box on 30 October 2024 to deliver her first Budget, an employer [...]
Government should fix ‘stubbornly weak’ growth with policy test, industry body argues Business The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling on the government to break decades of low economic growth by introducing a new delivery test, as businesses continue to slash investment under the burden of mounting costs. In the BCC diagnoses, the UK’s growth problem is not a lack of potential but a failure to turn [...]
Industry chief calls on government to water down steel tariff plans Industrials Government plans to double tariffs on steel imports pose an enormous threat to Britain’s already ailing manufacturing industry, pushing up costs at a time when many are already in the jaws of an inflationary energy shock, Britain’s largest industry body has warned. In a letter seen by City AM, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) boss [...]
Gamestop makes $56bn play for Ebay to take fight to Amazon May 4, 2026 Video game retailer Gamestop has made an unsolicited bid for e-commerce site Ebay in a bid to take the fight to Amazon. The world’s largest brick-and-mortar entertainment software retailer has made an offer to snap up Ebay that values the platform at $125 a share – a $20 premium on the stock’s closing price in [...]
Three things business needs from a UK China strategy January 28, 2026 The UK must replace its current reactive approach to China with a clear, predictable, and durable strategic framework to provide businesses with the stability needed to manage risk, diversify supply chains, and leverage opportunities in advanced services, says David Bharier Today the Prime Minister is in China for the first UK prime ministerial visit since [...]
UK’s largest chamber of commerce on brink of collapse August 7, 2025 The largest accredited chamber of commerce in the UK is on the brink of collapse after filing a notice of intent to appoint administrators. Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, which has around 4,000 members, has cited the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath for creating “sustained financial pressures” as one of the reasons behind its current [...]
Britain’s trade deals mean nothing if we neglect our own industries June 4, 2025 Trade deals and global ambitions will mean nothing if Britain neglects its domestic industries, writes Shevaun Haviland.
UK needs new settlement with EU, business group boss urges March 20, 2025 The UK’s businesses need a new settlement with the EU, the boss of one of the biggest business groups is urging. Shevaun Haviland, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), is calling for growth-driven improvements to the UK-EU relationship. It comes ahead of the organisation’s 2025 Driving International Trade Conference in central London, on [...]
Business confidence slumps in ‘pressure cooker’ of higher taxes January 6, 2025 The British Chamber of Commerce's quarterly survey showed that 63 per cent of firms cited tax as a worry in the final quarter of last year, up from 48 per cent in the third quarter.
Business confidence edges higher but investment remains a ‘concern’ July 8, 2024 58 per cent of firms expect to see an increase in turnover over the next year compared with 56 per cent in the first quarter.