Latest updates and stories from Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and its Members

The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast suggests slow growth in 2026, higher inflation due to the Middle East crisis, and rising unemployment as the labour market softens.  

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that removing the UK’s tariff exemption for low value imports could risk pushing up prices, harming small businesses and reducing trade intensity.  

The British Chambers of Commerce is urging the government to adopt its six-point plan to support UK exporters as the US President’s new 15 per cent tariff kicks in.  

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Business Council has met with the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, Steve Reed MP, to call for planning reform to deliver growth.  

A new report from the British Chambers of Commerce is calling for the government to reform the apprenticeship system to make it fit for the 21st Century. 

As the UK celebrates National Apprenticeships Week, it finds that the current framework is too rigid, lacks clarity, neglects higher-level skills and is failing to meet the needs of business.  

In new survey data, the percentage of businesses reporting increased export orders has fallen to 21% in Q4 2025, compared with 31% in Q2 2018
 
A further 50% report no change, while 28% report a decrease 

Smaller and medium sized businesses have been hit much harder than larger firms, with just 19% of SMEs reporting increased orders, compared with 39% of firms with more than 250 employees

• Less than a quarter of surveyed firms (23%) expect to increase the size of their workforce in the next three months, compared with 63% expecting no change, and 14% a decrease.

• Just over half of surveyed businesses (52%) attempted to hire staff in the last three months (compared with 54% in Q3).

• Recruitment difficulties eased slightly in Q4, however 70% still report problems hiring staff (75% in Q3).

The latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) from the BCC’s Insights Unit once again highlights price pressures as a central concern for UK businesses. Just over half (52%) of firms report that they expect to raise prices over the coming months, reflecting ongoing cost challenges. While the QES is not designed as a formal inflation forecast, its price expectations measure has, over time, proved to be a useful barometer of inflationary pressure in the wider economy.

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget statement, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce said: 
 

“The Chancellor has listened to our calls and made the right choice by not piling major new tax rises on businesses’ shoulders, which will calm nerves.

Andy Haldane CBE has been elected the new President of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) taking over from Baroness Lane-Fox  

 

He was elected by representatives of the accredited Chamber Network at the BCC’s Annual General Meeting, today (Wednesday 15th October). He will take up the role on Sunday 1 February 2026. 

Commenting on the latest ONS trade data, BCC Head of Trade Policy, William Bain, said:  

“The first month of reduced automotive tariffs has had a positive effect on US exports alongside more certainty on the outlook for other manufactured goods sectors.  

 

Responding to the latest GDP data published by the ONS this morning, Stuart Morrison, Research Manager at the British Chambers of Commerce said: 

 
“Today’s data shows the UK economy had a subdued summer, with limited growth in the three months to July, and 0% in the month alone.  

 

The latest British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) economic forecast has upgraded growth expectations for 2025. But overall, the outlook remains subdued. The forecast shows: 

 

• GDP growth in 2025 revised up to 1.3% (from 1.1% in the previous forecast) GDP forecast for 2026 and 2027 remains unchanged at 1.2% and 1.5%.  

 

• Business investment is expected to grow by only 1.6% this year and will remain subdued across 2026, rising only by 1.9%.    

 

Fewer than one fifth (18%) of micro-exporters (fewer than 10 employees) increased export orders in Q2, with 29% reporting a decrease. 

By comparison, 29% of large exporters (more than 250 staff) increased their export orders with a fifth (20%) reporting a drop.

Reacting to news of a trade deal in principle with the US, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said:  

  
“This deal will be met with a huge sigh of relief by many British businesses. 

Reacting to the UK formally joining the Comprehensive and Progressive agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) today, William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the BCC, said:  
 
“This is a red-letter day for our traders.

A five-point plan for immediate action by the new government is at heart of the British Chambers of Commerce Election Manifesto published today.

The future of the economy may sound like an awfully big topic – and one you can’t influence. But in fact these conversations – and some great networking opportunities that go with them - are within your reach!

•    Almost half (49%) of businesses say current customs checks and declarations are a barrier to exporting. This rises to 62% for manufacturers
 
•    Taxes and duties, due to tariffs, are the next biggest stumbling block for two fifths (40%) of firms.
 
•    Regulations, such as product certification, cause problems for a similar proportion of businesses (38%)

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.

As a member of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, your voice, input, and influence don’t stop at the county’s borders. As part of the wider British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), we represent your interests to policymakers, politicians, industry peers, and the media, at a national level.

Reacting to the new UK-Australia and UK-New Zealand trade deals which entered into effect at midnight, BCC Head of Trade, William Bain, said: 
 
“A new era of international trade will begin today as the first trade agreements agreed by the United Kingdom since it left the European Union come into force.  

Giving her full reaction to today’s spring budget, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 
 
“The Chancellor has acted to address the unfilled jobs blighting our economy. It is especially good to see the help on childcare and for over 50s workers.  

•    After significant declines across all business conditions tracked by the BCC in Q3, most indicators have stabilised at a low level. 
•    Profitability confidence remains at Covid-crisis levels; only one in three (34%) businesses believe their profits will increase over the coming year, while more (36%) expect a decline.   
•    Just 33% of firms experienced an increase in sales over the past three months, while 25% of firms reported a decrease, with hospitality firms the least likely to report improvements.  
•    More firms are reporting taxation (38%) and interest rates (43%) as growing business concerns.  

Reacting to the ONS GDP figures for October, David Bharier, Head of Research at the BCC, said:    

"The monthly growth in GDP for October of 0.5% is overshadowed by the underlying three-month trend revealed by the data, which shows a contraction in the economy of 0.3%.

Commenting on the Chancellor’s Fiscal Statement, Shevaun Havilland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Businesses will welcome many of the measures announced today that should boost economic growth, relieve cost pressures and encourage investment.

Reacting to the announcement of the new Prime Minister, Sarah Howard, Chair of the BCC, said: “We would like to congratulate Liz Truss on running a successful campaign to become the UK’s new Prime Minister.

“She must now take immediate steps to support the economy. The last few months have been difficult for everyone, time is running out and urgent action is needed to deal with the costs’ crisis.

Whatever the size of your business, it is likely that at some stage you will face multiple challenges that can feel impossible to overcome. In fact, you will typically experience these at every stage of the business’s growth.

In this piece, we take a look at what we, as a member of the British Chambers of Commerce, offer to make it easier for business owners in our region to get advice and support when they need it most.