Steel tariffs watered down after industry backlash June 25, 2026 Government ministers have watered down the looming steel tariffs after manufacturers warned that the measures intended to safeguard Britain’s steelmakers would cause “immediate hardship” on downstream businesses. In a written statement to parliament, trade minister Chris Bryant confirmed the government would now slash the tariff-free steel import quota by 51 per cent, as opposed to [...]
Zack Polanski: I have a ‘serious vision’ for UK businesses June 25, 2026 Green Party leader Zack Polanski will tell business leaders at a conference on Thursday that he will deliver “clarity, stability and serious vision” for the UK economy. In what will be his most significant address to bosses since becoming leader, Polanski is expected to recognise that private sector executives “might have some preconceptions” yet he’ll [...]
BCC’s Haviland: Burnham must make growth his number one priority June 24, 2026 Andy Burnham must place economic growth at the heart of his premiership and promise to bring down costs for businesses if he wants the Labour party to win back the trust of the private sector, the boss of Britain’s largest industry body will say. In a speech at the British Chambers of Commerce’s annual conference, [...]
UK manufacturers facing ‘steel quota cliff edge’ June 16, 2026 Manufacturers are facing a cliff-edge from the government’s incoming steel tariffs that are likely to inflict “huge damage” on the UK economy, Britain’s largest industry body has warned. In a fresh statement, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) sounded the alarm on the impact that that new duties on foreign-produced steel will have on importers, [...]
Government should fix ‘stubbornly weak’ growth with policy test, industry body argues June 15, 2026 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 [...]
Firms barred from speaking to lawyers before ‘workers’ rights police’ raid April 9, 2026 Bosses will be barred from seeking legal advice if the government’s new workers’ rights police choose to raid their company’s property unannounced, under new powers handed to it as part of Labour’s flagship employment rights overhaul. Fresh documents outlining the role of the Fair Work Agency reveal business will not be able to delay the [...]
Andy Haldane: My mission to ignite Britain’s animal spirits March 31, 2026 As the Bank of England’s chief economist, Andy Haldane had a front row seat to the maladies of UK’s sluggish economy. After a four-year stint running the RSA, he is back as president of the British Chambers of Commerce, and tells Ali Lyon business is still taxed mindlessly, over regulated, and far too risk averse. [...]
Globalisation obituaries ‘hopelessly premature’ March 26, 2026 Boosting trade is the single best way to improve the long-term fortunes of the UK despite the economy being hit by a barrage of supply chain fractures and geopolitical shocks, the Bank of England’s former chief economist has said. In his first speech as president of the British Chambers of Commerce, Andy Haldane told delegates [...]
US ambassador: UK’s closer ties with EU are a problem March 26, 2026 Britain pursuing closer ties with the European Union will “not be viewed favourably” in the White House if it in any way affects the trading relationship between the UK and US, Washington’s ambassador to the UK has warned. Warren Stephens said that the government’s recent decision to adopt over 70 European rules onto the UK [...]
Ministers must ‘trade more’ in face of Iran war March 25, 2026 The government must keep the option of an energy bailout for businesses on the table if oil prices continue to spike, the British Chambers of Commerce boss will say in a speech urging ministers to “trade more, not less” in the face of the Iran war. Shevaun Haviland will warn of the “profound” impact that [...]