News

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

BCC/DHL: Weak first quarter for UK exporters

More UK exporters are reporting a decrease in orders in the opening quarter of the year, with cashflow and confidence dipping too according to the latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with DHL. 
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BCC comments on inflation statistics

Commenting on the inflation statistics for April 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 
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BCC: Small businesses don’t see UK tax system as level playing field

Business believes that the UK tax system is fundamentally unfair and want more support to stay compliant, according to new research released today by the British Chambers of Commerce.
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BCC comments on todays inflation figures

Commenting on the inflation statistics for March 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 
Read More

BCC: Business communities still have little sense of Brexit destination

Commenting on the Prime Minister's announcement she will seek to extend the Brexit deadline, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The clock is still ticking, and avoiding a messy and disorderly exit from the EU is still the top priority

Read More

BCC comments on inflation figures

Commenting on the inflation statistics for February 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Inflation picked-up for the first time since August 2018, with rising prices across a range of items including
Read More

BCC Forecast: UK economy to falter further as Brexit uncertainty bites

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its growth expectations for the UK economy, forecasting growth of just 1.2% in 2019 (down from 1.3%), which if realised would be the weakest growth in a decade. 
Read More

BCC comments on Article 50 vote: Businesses still in the danger zone

Commenting on the parliamentary vote on extending Article 50, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“While most businesses will support an extension to Article 50 to avert the prospect of a messy and disorderly exit on the March 29th,
Read More

BCC comments on Spring Statement

Commenting on the Spring Statement, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The Chancellor is right to warn of the risks that a messy and disorderly exit on March 29th would pose for the economy. Westminster must heed the fact that businesses and government agencies are simply not ready for such an abrupt change,
Read More

BCC comments on no-deal Brexit vote

Commenting on the Parliamentary vote on the motion to rule out leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

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BCC: UK economy continuing to slow under weight of Brexit uncertainty

Commenting on the latest UK GDP and trade statistics, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Although there was an increase in GDP growth between December and January,
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BCC research highlights need to delay Making Tax Digital

With just weeks to go before its planned introduction, new research suggests nearly one in five businesses above the VAT threshold still know little or nothing about Making Tax Digital, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.

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BCC launches Chamber Business Awards at London Stock Exchange

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) today launches its flagship Chamber Business Awards at London Stock Exchange. Northcoders, last year’s winner of the ‘Business of the Year’ award has the honour of opening trading at the London Stock Exchange.

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BCC: Disappointing lack of progress on continuity trade agreements

Commenting on the latest update to existing trade agreements if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

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BCC comments on labour and productivity figures

Commenting on the labour market figures for February 2019, published by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: Government must listen to business on tariffs

Commenting on reports that the Cabinet is considering options around making imports tariff-free across the board if we leave the EU next month without a deal, Adam Marshall, Director General of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 

Read More

BCC comments on no deal customs announcement

Commenting on the announcement by HMRC on Transitional Simplified Procedures for customs in the case of no deal, Ronan Quigley, Executive Director responsible for Trade at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
Read More

Another day lost while the clock is ticking

Commenting on the latest votes in Parliament on Brexit, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

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BCC: Flexible labour market limiting impact of sluggish economy

Commenting on the labour market figures for January 2019, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
Read More

BCC responds to result of meaningful vote

Responding to the Parliamentary defeat of the Meaningful Vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
Read More

BCC QES: Big squeeze on firms from recruitment, prices and cash flow

The British Chambers of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey – the UK’s largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth

Read More

BCC Forecast: Business investment deep freeze to continue in 2019

Uncertainty over the UK’s future relationship with the EU is one of many factors that has weakened the outlook for business investment, according to the latest forecast by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Read More

Business intensely frustrated by yet another delay


Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Commons on delaying Parliament’s ‘meaningful vote’ on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Read More

BCC: Brexit uncertainty weighing on the economy and trade


Commenting on the GDP and trade statistics for October 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC comments on Brexit notices: A start, but businesses need more detail

Commenting on the publication of the first tranche of UK Government technical notices aimed at giving businesses and consumers advice on the implications of a 'no deal' exit from the European Union, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: UK remains on lacklustre growth trajectory despite Q2 improvement

Commenting on the first estimate of GDP for Q2 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said

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BCC comments ahead of release of ‘no deal’ Brexit notices

Commenting ahead of the publication of technical notices from the government relating to the possibility of ‘no deal’ in the Brexit negotiations, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

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BCC: Cut tax complexity and ‘red tape’ holding back businesses

The vast majority of UK businesses believe the cost of complying with the UK tax system has escalated over recent years, according to new research released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) in partnership with Avalara.

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BCC comments on inflation figures

Commenting on the inflation statistics for June 2018, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: business alarm on potential Brexit VAT bombshell

Commenting on the passage of amendments to the Customs Bill, which commit the government to fully separating the UK from the EU VAT regime, Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Read More

BCC/DHL: Weak first quarter for UK exporters

More UK exporters are reporting a decrease in orders in the opening quarter of the year, with cashflow and confidence dipping too according to the latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook from the British Chambers of Commerce, in partnership with DHL. 
Read More

BCC comments on inflation statistics

Commenting on the inflation statistics for April 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 
Read More

BCC: Small businesses don’t see UK tax system as level playing field

Business believes that the UK tax system is fundamentally unfair and want more support to stay compliant, according to new research released today by the British Chambers of Commerce.
Read More

BCC comments on todays inflation figures

Commenting on the inflation statistics for March 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 
Read More

BCC: Business communities still have little sense of Brexit destination

Commenting on the Prime Minister's announcement she will seek to extend the Brexit deadline, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The clock is still ticking, and avoiding a messy and disorderly exit from the EU is still the top priority

Read More

BCC comments on inflation figures

Commenting on the inflation statistics for February 2019, published today by the Office for National Statistics, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Inflation picked-up for the first time since August 2018, with rising prices across a range of items including
Read More

BCC Forecast: UK economy to falter further as Brexit uncertainty bites

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today slightly downgraded its growth expectations for the UK economy, forecasting growth of just 1.2% in 2019 (down from 1.3%), which if realised would be the weakest growth in a decade. 
Read More

BCC comments on Article 50 vote: Businesses still in the danger zone

Commenting on the parliamentary vote on extending Article 50, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“While most businesses will support an extension to Article 50 to avert the prospect of a messy and disorderly exit on the March 29th,
Read More

BCC comments on Spring Statement

Commenting on the Spring Statement, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“The Chancellor is right to warn of the risks that a messy and disorderly exit on March 29th would pose for the economy. Westminster must heed the fact that businesses and government agencies are simply not ready for such an abrupt change,
Read More

BCC comments on no-deal Brexit vote

Commenting on the Parliamentary vote on the motion to rule out leaving the EU without a withdrawal agreement, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: Disappointing lack of progress on continuity trade agreements

Commenting on the latest update to existing trade agreements if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC comments on labour and productivity figures

Commenting on the labour market figures for February 2019, published by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: Government must listen to business on tariffs

Commenting on reports that the Cabinet is considering options around making imports tariff-free across the board if we leave the EU next month without a deal, Adam Marshall, Director General of British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: 

Read More

BCC comments on no deal customs announcement

Commenting on the announcement by HMRC on Transitional Simplified Procedures for customs in the case of no deal, Ronan Quigley, Executive Director responsible for Trade at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
Read More

Another day lost while the clock is ticking

Commenting on the latest votes in Parliament on Brexit, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC: Flexible labour market limiting impact of sluggish economy

Commenting on the labour market figures for January 2019, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
Read More

BCC responds to result of meaningful vote

Responding to the Parliamentary defeat of the Meaningful Vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
Read More

BCC QES: Big squeeze on firms from recruitment, prices and cash flow

The British Chambers of Commerce’s quarterly economic survey – the UK’s largest private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth

Read More

BCC Forecast: Business investment deep freeze to continue in 2019

Uncertainty over the UK’s future relationship with the EU is one of many factors that has weakened the outlook for business investment, according to the latest forecast by British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

Read More

Business intensely frustrated by yet another delay


Responding to the Prime Minister’s statement to the House of Commons on delaying Parliament’s ‘meaningful vote’ on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

Read More

BCC: Brexit uncertainty weighing on the economy and trade


Commenting on the GDP and trade statistics for October 2018, published today by the ONS, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

BCC comments on Brexit notices: A start, but businesses need more detail

Commenting on the publication of the first tranche of UK Government technical notices aimed at giving businesses and consumers advice on the implications of a 'no deal' exit from the European Union, Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

Read More

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