As the autumn budget approaches, the British Chambers of Commerce has sent a letter to the Chancellor on behalf of the Chamber business communities across the UK outlining member’s priorities.  

While the Quarterly Economic Survey indicated that business conditions have improved, and concerns surrounding outside issues such as inflation and interest rates have declined; signs of business investment remain weak.  

The British Chambers of Commerce noted in its letter to the Chancellor that firms continue to recognise the challenges regarding budgeting but encouraged a list of ideas to assist in more investments and the drive of economic growth.  

READ the recommendations put forward by the BCC for the focus of the Autumn 2024 budget here:

• Make the UK a globally competitive destination for investment by keeping and expanding tax benefits for leased assets and creating a supportive financial plan for the North Sea to encourage investment. 

• Using the tax system to support workplace health – incentivise employers to invest in early intervention by reducing the tax on workplace health insurance and health cash plans and making all occupational health services a non-taxable benefit in kind.  

• Extending employer engagement in skills planning – extend investment in business-led Local Skills Improvement Plans and ensure an appropriate balance of capital and revenue funding is available to address identified gaps in local training provision. 

• Reforming business rates – building on long term BCC asks, the government should set out a pathway to lowering the multiplier to at least 45p by the end of the Parliament.  

• Investing in infrastructure – without infrastructure enhancements, any attempts to grow the economy will be futile. Therefore, BCC is calling on the government to deliver previously planned strategic enhancements to the transport network, including rail capacity (Western Rail Link, Ely + Haughley Junctions and East-West rail). BCC is also calling for updated rules in the National Planning Policy Framework to increase employment land supply.