Small businesses 'see no progress on the barriers to growth', BCC warns

19 May 2023

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has urged the government to 'reconnect with businesses' after it warned that small firms aren't seeing any progress on removing the barriers to growth.

During the BCC's recent Global Annual Conference, Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said that the government and businesses need to work together to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business.

The BCC has urged the government to 'put business at the heart of its plans to revive the UK economy'. It said that the COVID-19 pandemic, political turmoil and the fallout from the war in Ukraine has 'battered and bruised business confidence'.

In her keynote speech, Ms Haviland stated that, with a general election less than 18 months away, the UK is at a 'pivotal moment' for the voice of British business. The BCC is calling on the government and businesses across the country to work together to tackle 'five of the biggest challenges and opportunities the country is facing right now': the digital revolution; people and work; green innovation; global Britain; and the future of the high street.

Ms Haviland's full keynote speech can be found here.