Mexico Cliff Edge Avoided But Canada Looms

Mexico Cliff Edge Avoided But Canada Looms

Reacting to news of an extension on cumulation trade terms with Mexico, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said:    “The BCC has been urging the UK Government to reach bridging arrangements with Mexico and Canada for some time on extended cumulation within the rules of origin.    “This…

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UK Trade Falls In September As Global Economy Falters

Reacting to the ONS trade data for Q3 and September 2023, William Bain, BCC Head of Trade Policy, said:  “Economic woes at home and abroad are weighing heavily upon UK trade. September saw substantial falls in both imports and exports. Total goods trade values across Q3 this year also showed…

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GDP Figures Underline Need For Bold Autumn Statement

Responding to the latest GDP data from the ONS, Alex Veitch Director of Policy and Insights at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:    “Today’s preliminary estimate, showing GDP failed to grow in Q3, provides further evidence of the difficulties the UK economy faces. Weak growth in construction offset a…

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King’s Speech: Missed Opportunity To Help Business In Challenging Times

Responding to today’s King’s Speech, Alex Veitch Director of Policy and Insight at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The King’s Speech opened with an aspiration to increase economic growth – but it failed to outline how that will happen. The businesses we represent need help in dealing with inflation, interest…

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BCC Welcomes New Phase In Turkiye Trade Negotiations 

Responding to the launch of the call for evidence on a new trade agreement with Turkiye, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said:    “Global trade has evolved since the current trading terms between the UK and Turkiye were put in place.     “It makes sense to build on…

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SME Exporters Treading Water 

BCC’s Trade Confidence Outlook sees no improvement in Q3 of 2023 as half of all SME exporters (49%) saw no change in overseas sales, and a quarter (25%) reported a decrease. Just over a quarter of exporting SME firms (26%) saw their overseas sales increase in the quarter. It is almost…

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Call For Evidence Launched By BCC Workplace Equity Commission

A call for evidence has been launched by the British Chambers of Commerce Workplace Equity Commission, urging businesses, stakeholders and interested parties to contribute towards making change happen. The commission includes representatives from the UK and international chamber networks, business leaders and experts from across civic society. Meeting regularly over…

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Chancellor Must Take Bold Decisions To Unlock Growth

The Chancellor must take bold steps to unlock the untapped potential of UK business if the economy is to weather continued global headwinds. BCC research shows less than a quarter of firms are investing, as fears over high inflation and interest rates, alongside concerns around trade barriers and skills shortages,…

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Recent UK Export Gains Reversed In August Downturn

Reacting to the latest Office for National Statistics data on Trade, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:    “August was not a good month for UK goods exports. There were falls in both EU and rest of the world trade – where after removing the effects of…

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BCC: GDP Latest Shows Economy Still Struggling

Reacting to the latest Office for National Statistics data on GDP, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said:      “With GDP growing by 0.3% in the three months to August, and by 0.2% on a monthly basis, the UK economy is holding up but remains in a precarious…

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