Cross-Channel Institute

CROSS CHANNEL INSTITUTE

NEWS

News

29 October 2024

GOVERNMENT ACTION NEEDED TO BOOST VITAL £32BN VISITOR ECONOMY

Strong industry-Government partnerships are key to ensuring the UK’s visitor economy continues to thrive, according to a new report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts.

To help grow the tourism, hospitality, events and attractions industries, the report makes a series of recommendations to policymakers. It calls on Government to: 

Reform apprenticeship funding in England to support more training opportunities by firms in the [...]

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28 October 2024

TAX REFORM CAN EASE WORKPLACE HEALTH CRISIS

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the Chancellor to ease the workplace health crisis by reforming the tax system.

Its two calls ahead of the Autumn Budget are:

For the Government to make all occupational health, cash plans and medical insurance a non-taxable benefit in kind for employees. To encourage business take up of health insurance for employees by cutting the Insurance Premium Tax.

BCC research has found that only one third of businesses (36%) currently [...]


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24 October 2024

‘BRAND BRITAIN’: DOWN, BUT FAR FROM OUT

52% of UK exporters say Britain’s brand helps boost their sales: More than half see their association with Britain as a key driver of growth. 1/3 of consumers seek out British brands: Despite global competition, the desire to buy British remains a draw for a good portion of the public. 43% rise in Brand Closeness: Brands tapping into British associations see a 43% increase in consumer connection, proving the power of national ties. Brand Britain is seen as traditional, enduring, and [...]

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22 October 2024

SME EXPORTERS FIGHTING TO MAKE HEADWAY

BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook for Q3 2024 shows a dip in SME exporters already poor performance on overseas sales. Under a quarter of exporting SME firms (22%) saw their overseas sales rise in Q3, compared to 27% in Q2. More than half of all SME exporters (54%) saw no change in overseas sales, and 24% reported a decrease. BCC’s SME export sales indicator has consistently underperformed compared to domestic sales indicators since the pandemic.

The Trade Confidence Outlook, conducted by [...]


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18 October 2024

SUCCESSFUL 5TH EDITION OF THE UK-FRANCE BUSINESS FORUM

Yesterday, the Franco British Chamber and French Chamber of Great Britain had the pleasure of co-chairing the 5th edition of the UK-France Business Forum at the Residence of Dame Menna Rawlings, His Majesty’s Ambassador to France.

The Forum serves as the voice of businesses to our two governments. The aim is to make proposals to promote a business-friendly environment to encourage cross-Channel trade.

Discussions focussed on three key issues in Franco-British relations: [...]


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17 October 2024

UK: INFLATION EASES MORE THAN EXPECTED

Reacting to the latest ONS data on inflation, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce said:

“Today’s data showing CPI has eased further than expected to 1.7% continues the move away from a prolonged period of high inflation. Coupled with an easing to average earnings growth, businesses will be looking forward to a clearer path for further interest rate cuts. Our research has shown that a steadily declining number of businesses are concerned about [...]


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16 October 2024

INDUSTRIAL STRATERGY MUST GIVE UK COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Reacting to news of the launch of the Government’s Industrial Strategy, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: 

“An industrial strategy is a key plank of the UK’s growth agenda; it is vital in securing the long-term stability that businesses need to plan ahead and invest. But it must deliver on that promise, and it needs to set out clearly how we will leverage the country’s competitive advantage. Alongside the key growth sectors of the economy, it must also [...]


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