Three Key Fixes Needed For SME Finance

Three Key Fixes Needed For SME Finance

The BCC has called for action to improve the availability of finance for SMEs as accessibility, awareness and a lack of competition continue to hold firms back.  In written evidence submitted to the Treasury Select Committee, the BCC said many smaller firms are no longer seeking finance as they consider…

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Three Key Fixes Needed For SME Finance

The BCC has called for action to improve the availability of finance for SMEs as accessibility, awareness and a lack of competition continue to hold firms back.  In written evidence submitted to the Treasury Select Committee, the BCC said many smaller firms are no longer seeking finance as they consider…

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Business Needs An Integrated Transport Plan From Government

The British Chambers of Commerce has called for an integrated national plan from government on transport infrastructure, focused on at least the next 20 years.  In written evidence to the Transport Select Committee, the BCC said weaknesses in the current system are creating barriers for business, hindering growth, and slowing…

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Business Still Under-Pressure As Inflation Eases

Reacting to the latest inflation data from the ONS, Alex Veitch, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s news that consumer price inflation continued to ease in July is encouraging. However, this comes off the back of months of high prices which have hit business hard.…

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Unrelenting Workforce Pressures Hit The Economy

Reacting to the latest ONS labour market figures, Jane Gratton, Deputy Director, Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:    “Today’s figures showing pay growing at a record annual pace highlight the unrelenting workforce pressures businesses are facing. In a tight labour market, employers are struggling to contain wage…

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UK Economy Remains In Precarious Position

Reacting to the latest GDP data from the ONS, David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:     “Today’s first estimate for Q2, showing GDP grew by 0.2% is better news than expected, but the UK economy remains in a precarious place. Businesses are continuing to face…

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Business Hoping For End To Rate Rises

Commenting on the Bank of England’s latest rise in the interest rate to 5.25%, Vicky Pryce, BCC Economic Advisory Council member, said:    “Businesses across the UK will be fervently hoping that today’s rise in interest rates is the last they will see.   “While many firms will have already…

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Quarterly Recruitment Outlook: People Problem Key To Tackling Inflation

Government must fix people problem to ease inflation and take pressure off interest rate rises 79% of businesses surveyed (92% of whom are SMEs) attempting to recruit have faced challenges, with hospitality and construction firms the most likely to report difficulties Three in five (60%) businesses attempted to recruit in…

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Leading national experts and businesses join BCC Workplace Equity Commission

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has announced the launch of the BCC Workplace Equity Commission, with members including Stonewall Chair Iain Anderson, Ayesha Hazarika MBE, Women of the World founder and CEO Jude Kelly CBE, and Scope CEO Mark Hodgkinson.      Convening national experts, business leaders and representatives from…

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Indefinite Retention Of CE Mark A Welcome Boost For Business

Commenting on the announcement that the CE safety mark can be used indefinitely in the UK, Head of Trade Policy, William Bain said:      “Businesses will breathe a sigh of relief that the Government has decided to take a pragmatic approach to the safety marking of products sold in Great…

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