Policy & Lobbying

Responding to yesterday's King's Speech, Shevaun Haviland, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The commitment to an industrial strategy could put in place a framework to unleash the pent-up ambition of British business to grow the economy. “If we use it to make green innovation a key driver of that growth, and link it to a [...]

Responding to yesterday's King's Speech, Shevaun Haviland, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The commitment to an industrial strategy could put in place a framework to unleash the pent-up ambition of British business to grow the economy. “If we use it to make green innovation a key driver of that growth, and link it to a [...]

Responding to the latest GDP figures published this morning by the ONS, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The UK has had a strong start to the year and today’s data showing 0.9% growth in GDP in the three months to May is better than expected. Growth for May itself also ticked up at 0.4%, with [...]

Following today's news of a Labour Party majority in the July 4th general election, Miranda Barker OBE, CEO of East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, commented: "Our work of the last month, building and sharing our East Lancashire business manifesto, and working with the potential parliamentary candidates locally at our hustings, has helped to build great relationships with our new [...]

Responding to the latest inflation data published by ONS, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s data showing CPI easing to the Bank of England’s 2% target, is a further sign that the UK is exiting the inflation crisis which began in late 2020. It provides additional weight for an interest rate cut [...]

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast has slightly upgraded growth expectations for 2024 and 2025, following a stronger start to the year. However, the forecast for 2026 remains unchanged. UK Economic Outlook   The UK economy is expected to continue its recovery after the short recession at the end of 2023, but long-term growth is unlikely to [...]

The East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce manifesto, drawn up with the Chamber Assembly of Diamond Ambassadors Patrons and East Lancashire Leaders from education and local authorities, will be launched in June - to coincide with our hustings events with our local candidates to be our next Members of Parliament.  A five-point plan for immediate action by the new government [...]

Over 1250 businesses have expressed their interest in accessing the new £660m The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), according to its appointed regional fund managers. This includes expressions of interest from over 490 businesses across the North West. Unveiled by the British Business Bank in March this year, the Fund aims to increase the supply and diversity [...]

The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q1 2024 shows that while business confidence remains buoyant, there has been no overall improvement to business conditions, as measured by investment, sales, and cash flow. Levels of business confidence remain unchanged, with 56% of UK businesses expecting an increase in turnover in the next twelve months. Almost half of firms [...]

Accessing finance is becoming more difficult for a large number of SMEs, according to new data from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit. Around half (49%) of business surveyed who accessed finance felt that getting funding had become more challenging over the past three years. Only 13% said it was getting easier. The BCC’s latest survey of [...]