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12 February 2025

Cool Heads Needed As Manufacturing Exporters Fear Tariff Impact

Almost two thirds (63%) of manufacturers that export say they will be impacted by US tariffs. More widely a third (34%) of businesses surveyed overall fear they will be affected. Firms are worried about the direct cost impact but also the wider issue of depressed global demand.

 

New research by the BCC’s Insights Unit has uncovered the extent to which firms are worried about the impact of US tariffs on their operations. The survey of more than 1,200 firms, of which over [...]


11 February 2025

Business Key To Government Spending Plans

The BCC is urging Government to help firms grow as it considers its future spending plans.

The business group’s submission to His Majesty’s Treasury for the Comprehensive Spending Review contains 49 recommendations on ways to grow the economy that the Government should support.

The top asks include:

Get Britain Thriving

Invest in regional infrastructure by delivering transport projects and grid connectivity, improving rail capacity and electrifying key sections [...]

06 February 2025

Rate Cut Eases Some Pressure Points

Reacting to the latest interest rate decision, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Given the raft of cost pressures and global economic uncertainties businesses are facing, today’s interest rate cut provides a measure of relief for SMEs.

“Since the Autumn Budget our research has shown a significant fall in business confidence, with fewer firms expecting to increase turnover over the next twelve months. The Bank’s report [...]


05 February 2025

FIRMS FACE INCREASING CYBER SECURITY RISK

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is warning that businesses face increased cyber security risks without stronger engagement with government.

Among the recommendations in a new report published today, the BCC is calling for ministers to:

Carry out a cyber security awareness programme for businesses, particularly smaller firms Update the National Cyber Strategy Reform cyber security insurance to provide firms with better protection Address the shortage of UK cyber [...]

03 February 2025

What’s Next For Brexit Trade Relations?

In his latest blog, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, sets out the issues and potential solutions that the UK Government and EU institutions must agree on to improve trade:

UK businesses have shown great resilience, agility and creativity in responding to the biggest challenges in our international trading relationship with our nearest neighbours in 50 years.

Firms have changed distribution, customs, VAT and warehousing arrangements to supply customers in the EU. In [...]


31 January 2025

EU Reset Must Drive Growth

On the fifth anniversary of Brexit, the BCC is calling on the Government to use its planned EU reset to achieve concrete change and help drive UK economic growth.

Research by the BCC’s Insight Unit has shown that SME exporters have faced an uphill struggle to sell goods and services in Europe as paperwork and costs have ballooned:

Two fifths (41%) of exporters disagree the Brexit deal is helping them grow sales.   Only 14% of exporters think the deal is helping them to [...]

30 January 2025

BCC Welcomes Push For Growth

Responding to the Chancellor’s speech in Oxford this morning, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:

“The Chancellor has laid down a clear marker on her intent to push for growth and these proposals can light the blue touchpaper to fire up the UK economy.

“Expanding our international airport capacity, investing in modern roads and railways, and rebalancing the planning system all send signals that the UK is building for a better future.

“These [...]


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