Looking at the last six months, a clear picture is emerging of significantly lower EU imports to the UK than three years ago, with a smaller reduction in exports to the EU.
Looking at the last six months, a clear picture is emerging of significantly lower EU imports to the UK than three years ago, with a smaller reduction in exports to the EU.
The latest figures confirmed a significant uptick in growth in November, before the emergence of Omicron and the implementation of Plan B. This is likely to be followed by a modest fall in output in December and January, as consumer caution to socialise and spend, and mounting staff absences limit activity.
Businesses are continuing to tell us they are struggling with high levels of absence due to Covid and will welcome the news it is judged safe to further reduce the isolation period. But too many say that staff are also finding it difficult to get the Lateral Flow Tests they need to prove they can return to work.
If agreement can be reached with India on tariff reduction, removing technical barriers to trade in goods and services, and on digital trade it has the best potential of any of the UK’s individual free trade negotiations to date.
New figures released today by the British Chambers of Commerce saw the proportion of firms struggling to recruit staff reach new record levels.
A new survey of almost 1,000 UK firms, from all sectors and sizes, has revealed that more than half believe their IT systems have been left more exposed to attack following the huge increase in people working from home during the pandemic.
The BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – the UK’s largest independent survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth – has shown the recovery stalled in the fourth quarter, with firms facing unprecedented inflationary pressures.
Businesses will breathe a sigh of relief that there are to be no further covid restrictions to add to their mounting difficulties. Many already have their backs to the wall as they juggle with soaring inflation, rising interest rates, depleted cash reserves and fresh tax demands.
New data released today from a survey of 981 businesses carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce has thrown sharp focus on the impact the UK-EU trade deal (TCA) is having on UK firms one year from its implementation.
“These measures will provide some welcome respite to many of those businesses who have been hit hardest by the latest Covid measures."