Significant changes in the way ONS collects data make month by month comparisons especially difficult now, but it is noteworthy that exports to the EU continued to fall in January this year.
Significant changes in the way ONS collects data make month by month comparisons especially difficult now, but it is noteworthy that exports to the EU continued to fall in January this year.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has increased the risk of a recession in the UK by exacerbating the already acute inflationary squeeze on consumers and businesses and derailing the supply of critical commodities to many sectors of the economy.
UK economic growth is expected to halve this year amid soaring inflation, major tax rises, and global shocks - including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The invasion by Russia of Ukraine is an appalling act of aggression with terrible loss of life and displacement of potentially the largest number of people in Europe since World War II. One impact of the aggression is likely to be a significant impact on the UK’s energy supply. Energy – specifically oil and gas – is one of Russia’s key exports into Europe as it supplies much of the continent’s oil and gas.
The British Chambers of Commerce has joined forces with three other leading business groups to call on the Government to stop using the outdated word ‘chairman’. Make UK, The Institute of Directors, the Confederation of British Industry, and all 53 of the Accredited Chambers of Commerce have joined the BCC in signing an open letter to Government asking for the change.
This deal will mean zero-tariff trade for UK exporters with customers in New Zealand once the agreement enters into force early next year. It will also be easier for SMEs to access the New Zealand market as paperwork and red tape are reduced through modern provisions on digital trade.
This agreement is a great boost for trade in both goods and services with the growing Singapore market. It has the potential to set the standard and could be a beacon for other nations looking to establish these practices with the UK.
“Businesses in England will welcome the ambition of the Prime Minister that inches us closer to pre-pandemic trading conditions. However, for many firms, this move will not be without its challenges and Government must not pass public health decisions on to the business community, who are not public health experts."
New research carried out by the British Chambers of Commerce of more than 1,000 businesses has highlighted a host of issues with the UK’s trade deal with Europe. The BCC believes urgent steps should be taken to address these problems so the UK Government’s ambition to increase the number of firms exporting can be met.
Rising inflation highlights both the cost-of-living crisis facing households and the uphill struggle for businesses to keep a lid on price rises amid surging cost pressures.