National body representing UK chambers; speaks for 50,000 businesses in 53 chambers
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a 20% business rates reduction for nearly 32,000 pubs, clubs and live music venues in England from April 2027, a package the government says will save a typical pub about £1,100 a year and cost roughly £100m. Ministers are proposing to fund it by reviewing reliefs for vape shops and cracking down on online tax non-compliance.
The No 10 North operation in Manchester is expanding to bring devolution and local growth decisions closer to postcodes across the country. Burnham chairs the NEC from Manchester, with regional mayors and business leaders involved as scrutiny grows over costs and reach.
The government has published analyses showing that capping zero‑hour contracts would boost workers’ security and may support growth, but it would come with several costs for employers. Estimates place annual direct costs between £350m and £2.9bn, with a central figure around £1.1bn, depending on who is covered. The industry argues the plan could hurt hiring and payroll systems need updating.
August PMIs have shown UK services and manufacturing have expanded while construction has contracted sharply; Saudi business confidence has held above the 50 threshold and strengthened in industry and services; Chinas official manufacturing PMI has hovered just below 50, signaling weak but stabilising activity. Surveys point to resilient demand offset by housing weakness and higher energy costs.
The government has framed its approach to the October budget around boosting growth while preserving fiscal discipline. Chancellors have signalled a commitment to devolution, welfare reform, and a tighter budget in response to high borrowing costs and global instability.
The triple lock has raised costs and sparked calls for reform. Governments and thinktanks say the system is expensive and unsustainable; opponents urge targeted support for pensioners, while some advocate linking uplifts to inflation only. The debate centers on funding, fairness, and youth opportunities as the policy’s future comes under review.
Louise Haigh has announced stronger rights for workers seeking flexible working, requiring employers to sit down with employees to properly consider requests and explain refusals. Support from unions highlights a push to widen access to remote and hybrid work while acknowledging limits for certain roles.