The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that Britain’s smallest exporters are being “left behind” as larger firms benefit from new trade agreements, calling for urgent government action to help smaller businesses expand overseas.
According to the BCC’s latest Quarterly Trade Confidence Report, only 16 per cent of micro exporters — companies with fewer than ten employees — reported growth in international sales during the third quarter of this year. In contrast, 42 per cent of larger exporters saw exports rise over the same period, highlighting what the BCC described as a “deeply concerning” divide.
The findings, based on a survey of 4,600 UK businesses conducted between August 18 and September 15, reveal that smaller firms are struggling to capitalise on the government’s recent trade deals, including those with India, the United States and the European Union.
William Bain, head of trade policy at the BCC, said the widening gap underlines the need for targeted intervention. “The growing disparity between the experience of the UK’s largest and smallest exporters is deeply concerning,” he said. “It underlines our call for urgent government action, in partnership with business, to help smaller firms reap the benefits of trade.”
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
