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 [...]
Steel tariffs ‘couldn’t come at a worse time’ for UK industry March 12, 2025 UK industry heavyweights have branded Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium imports a “difficult day for transatlantic trade” that will put “considerable pressure” on the UK’s metals sector. Tariffs on the two widely-used commodities came into force on Wednesday morning, meaning all UK steel and aluminium exports to the US will now be subject [...]
UK growth outlook slashed amid tax and trade ‘double whammy’ March 5, 2025 The Chancellor’s growth agenda was dealt a fresh blow on Thursday after the British Chambers of Commerce slashed its forecast for the UK economy due to the tax and trade “double whammy” afflicting UK businesses. The business group now expects the UK economy to grow by just 0.9 per cent in 2025, a hefty downgrade [...]
Businesses will ‘lick their wounds’ after Budget, even if growth picks up December 5, 2024 The BCC said the upgrades were driven by "increased levels of government spending" following the Budget.
Business groups warn of jobs market slowdown following Budget November 12, 2024 Alexandra Hall-Chen, principal policy adviser for employment at the Institute for Directors (IoD) said the figures point to a "concerning trend" in the labour market.
Businesses ‘clearly anxious’ as budget approaches, survey shows October 8, 2024 The BCC's quarterly economic survey showed that 48 per cent of firms cited taxation as a worry, up from 36 per cent the quarter before.
UK unlikely to move into ‘fast lane’ despite surprisingly strong growth this year September 5, 2024 The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has lifted its growth forecasts for the economy this year, but remained doubtful that the UK would move into the “fast lane” any time soon. The business group’s latest quarterly projections suggest the UK will grow 1.1 per cent this year, an upgrade on its previous estimate of 0.8 [...]
Increasing recruitment difficulties spark business calls for national skills strategy July 16, 2024 The skills gap will likely constrain how far and how fast the next government can move on a number of issues, from housebuilding to AI.
Aviva: We believe in the UK despite the ‘doom and gloom’ June 27, 2024 The UK's economic fundamentals remain attractive for business despite the "doom and gloom" that has plagued the country, Amanda Blanc has said.
Skills gap remains ‘stubbornly high’ with over half of London firms suffering from shortages June 19, 2024 Engineering was the most commonly cited occupation where firms are struggling to find the right workers followed by sales and marketing.