On the day negotiations begin on the UK's departure from the European Union, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “As Brexit talks commence, UK firms want practical economic issues to be at the heart of the negotiations. Business wants an atmosphere of pragmatism, civility and mutual respect to characterise this complex process. "Over the coming w...

A STATEMENT FROM THE UK’S LEADING BUSINESS ORGANISATIONS We, the undersigned, represent hundreds of thousands of businesses across the United Kingdom employing millions of people. The business community fully accepts the decision of voters last June that the UK will leave the European Union.  We have come together to urge the Government to put the economy first as it prepares to start formal ...

Commenting on the labour market statistics for June, released today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “With employment continuing to rise and unemployment falling, the UK jobs market remains on a firm footing. “However, the strong headline figures mask some significant concerns. The gap between pay and pric...

Dale Edwards, Cheif Executive of Somerset Chamber, has composed an opinion piece following the result of the 2017 General Election. Here, Dale outlines his thoughts on recent events, and calls for MP’s and the Government to listen to the voice of the people. They say a week is a long time in politics, and last week certainly was. Along with many others I suspect, I have been mulling over the ev...

Commenting on the inflation statistics for May 2017, released today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Inflation rose for the second successive month, confirming that price growth is firmly on an upward trend. The rise in May mostly reflects increasing prices for recreational and cultural goods and services in ...

Somerset Chamber has highlighted the need for an urgent refocus on business and the economy following the General Election result, saying there has been “too much talk and not enough action” in recent times. The election on 8 June resulted in a hung parliament, with the Conservatives being the largest party but unable to secure a majority government. Chairman Greg Saunders said, “This is t...

Launching today, the prestigious Somerset Business Awards are now open for business – from Wednesday 1 June 2017. Returning by popular demand, the 13th edition of the Somerset Business Awards launches today, inviting businesses of all shapes and sizes to enter its 14 categories. New for 2017, the Somerset Business Awards organisers, the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, are pleased to announce two ...

As the General Election draws closer, this week the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) are looking at the final ask of the Chamber manifesto – Brexit. Please find below a blog from Ashley Shackleton, Head of Public Affairs for the BCC.The UK’s decision last June to leave the European Union has enormous consequences for all of us – for businesses this means leaving an institution that ha...

For UK businesses to the deliver the jobs, growth and investment needed to secure our long-term economic future, they need a competitive environment here at home. However, as we approach yet another General Election, the UK continues to lag behind its international competitors. While corporation tax is decreasing, businesses remain disappointed at the lack of action on the high up-front taxes an...

Commenting on the Conservative Party Manifesto, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “A number of the headline commitments in the Conservative Party’s manifesto will be welcomed by business communities around the UK. If delivered, pledges to overhaul the broken business rates system, to deliver better digital and mobile connectivity, and to focus...

Commenting on the Labour Party Manifesto, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “High personal taxation, sweeping nationalisation and deep intervention in business decision-making are not the hallmarks of an ambitious and enterprising society. Taken together, some of the headline propositions in the Labour Party manifesto will give business communit...

Commenting on the inflation statistics for April 2017, released today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “As expected, inflation resumed its upward trend in April, after holding steady in March. April’s increase was largely due to higher air fares, which were pushed up by the timing of Easter falling during th...

Please see below a blog post from BCC’s Senior Trade Policy Manager, Anastassia Beliakova.The nuts and bolts of a model for Brexit The Norway model. The Swiss model. The Turkish model. A CETA (the EU-Canada trade deal) inspired Free Trade Agreement. What kind of deal can the UK strike with the EU? And can businesses prepare for one of these options – or even for the possibility of leaving...

MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY CENTRE (NCSC): Since the global coordinated ransomware attack on thousands of private and public sector organisations across dozens of countries on Friday, there have been no sustained new attacks of that kind.  But it is important to understand that the way these attacks work means that compromises of machines and networks that have already occurred may not...

Commenting on the Bank of England inflation report and interest rate decision published on ‘Super Thursday’, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “The Bank of England’s latest projections point to little change in outlook for the UK economy, compared to their February report, with only a slight downgrade for 2017.  Significantly, the central ban...