Update from British Chambers of Commerce
Apprenticeships are good for business, says BCC
This week marks National Apprenticeship Week, designed to raise the profile of apprenticeships across the country. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today publishes its report “ Business is G...
Business is a force for good, says British public
A survey of more than 2,000 members of the British public shows the overwhelming majority of people believe that businesses are ‘good’ for Britain as long as they comply with the law, pay their taxes,...
Growth in UK exports slows
Export orders increase, although growth has slowed
Exporters less confident about 2012 prospects, but muted expansion is expected
Manufacturing industry sees some positive signs from ex...
"UK will miss out on investment because of poor air connections" say emerging market business leaders
67% of business leaders in Brazil, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico say that better air connections from their home country to France, Germany and Holland mean they are more likely to do busin...
MPC should increase QE by £50bn in February, says BCC
Commenting on the MPC minutes for January 2012, published today by the Bank of England, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Unsurprisingly, the minute...
BCC: Disappointing GDP figures reinforce need for growth-enhancing policies
UK GDP in Q4 2011 down -0.2% in the quarter, up 0.8% in the year.
Commenting on the preliminary estimates for GDP in the fourth quarter of 2011, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Ec...
Deficit reduction plan making good progress, says BCC
Public sector borrowing in December 2011 was £13.7bn, compared with £15.9bn in December 2010
Commenting on the public sector finance figures for December, David Kern, Chief Economist at the...
BCC: Economy faces serious challenges despite improved retail sales
December 2011 retail sales volumes: up 0.6% on the month, up 2.6% on the year
Commenting on the retail sales figures for December 2011, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Co...
Government must help businesses create more jobs, says BCC
In the three months to November 2011, unemployment increased by 118,000 but employment also increased by 18,000
Unemployment at a level last seen in 1994
Unemployed people aged 16-24 incr...
BCC: Falling inflation will ease the squeeze on consumers and businesses
As inflation moves towards its 2% target, the MPC should announce an increase in the Quantitative Easing (QE) programme
Annual CPI down from 4.8% in November to 4.2% in December 2011
Annual R...
BCC: Slowdown in producer prices will ease squeeze on businesses and consumers
Producer’s annual inflation in December 2011: output price inflation down to 4.8%, input price inflation down to 8.7%
Commenting on the producer price figures for December 2011, David K...
BCC: MPC should have increased QE
Commenting on today’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“We have urged the Monetary Policy Committee to be bold ...
BCC: Disappointing manufacturing figures reinforce need for policies to support growth
Manufacturing output in November 2011 down 0.2% on the month; down 0.6% on the year
Commenting on the manufacturing output figures for November, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chamb...
MPC should act boldly and increase QE, says BCC
Commenting ahead of the MPC decision on Thursday, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
"With the government's tough deficit-cutting measures squeezing do...
BCC: Stronger exports remain critical to Britain’s recovery
UK trade deficit in goods and services widens to £2.6bn in November 2011, from a revised £1.9bn in October
David Kern: “The pace of rebalancing the economy towards exports is inadequate”
Com...
HS2 is essential for much-needed capacity on our rail network, says BCC
Reacting to Transport Secretary Justine Greening’s announcement that High Speed 2 (HS2) will move forward, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Busines...
BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey points to short-term stagnation
QES results point to a further deterioration in the economic situation, with signs of stagnation in the first quarter of 2012.
John Longworth: “ A new recession is not a foregone conclusi...
BCC: MPC should increase Quantitative Easing to £325bn
Commenting on the choices facing the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) at its January 2012 meeting next Thursday, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “T...
BCC Director General: Britain has potential to recover if we recognise business as a force for good
Commenting on the prospects for the UK economy in 2012, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “We are living in momentous times with slow but seis...
BCC: New GDP figures reinforce need for growth enhancing policies
• Quarterly GDP growth in Q3 2011 revised up from 0.5% to 0.6%; year on year growth unchanged at 0.5% Commenting on the revised GDP figures for the third quarter of 2011, David Ker...
