According to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) Insight Unit, the vast majority (76%) of businesses surveyed say they offer flexible working to their employees.
According to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) Insight Unit, the vast majority (76%) of businesses surveyed say they offer flexible working to their employees.
It is disappointing to see that April’s improved goods export performance was not sustained into May. With firms struggling to increase sales overseas, the recommendations in our newly launched Trade Manifesto have never been more relevant.
Today’s GDP figure showing 0% growth in the three months to May provides further evidence of the precarious state of the UK economy.
The British Chambers of Commerce has called for Government to focus on boosting services, advanced manufacturing, green and digital trade if it wants to hit its £1tn trade target. The move comes as research shows SME exports continue to languish.
Reacting to the latest ONS labour market figures, Jane Gratton, Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Despite unemployment remaining low, we hope that today's 0.2 percentage point increase is a blip rather than a sign of a deeper trend. We remain concerned about the persistent tightness in the labour market, adding to the costs and difficulties facing businesses."
Responding to the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech announcing reforms of the pension market, BCC Director General Shevaun Haviland, said: “Boosting investment is key to remaining globally competitive, increasing economic growth and strengthening UK capital markets. Therefore, we very much welcome the proposals set out by the Chancellor in his Mansion House reforms, making it clear that the UK is where business belongs."
“Business will always welcome a government that commits to early years education with a view of developing children and young people’s skills to prepare them for a successful transition to the world of work.”
The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for Q2 2023 shows that less than half of firms now plan to raise prices in the next three months as cost pressures ease. But the data also reveals that the main factor for increasing costs is now coming from wages rather than utility bills or raw materials.
Following a meeting of Chamber Chief Executives and business representatives with the Chancellor this morning, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “It was incredibly useful to connect Chamber Chief Executives and the businesses they represent with the Chancellor today to lay out their experiences on the ground."
As part of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) expanded national offering, it is launching a new Insights Unit to provide businesses with best-in-class intelligence on the big strategic issues impacting the UK economy.