The following West Midlands results are from a nationwide survey conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce in summer 2025. These results include the views of businesses from across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin as well as the wider West Midlands. The key topic is Net Zero, but the survey also wanted to gauge how businesses were dealing with AI and how crime was impacting.
Additional Economic Reports
Net Zero, AI and Crime - Business Views
Small Business Delivering Growth for Britain
It’s undoubtedly a challenging time for business, with rising cost pressures bearing down on firms, particularly small businesses.
BCC was delighted to have worked in partnership with Royal Mail for this important report, which offers crucial insights into these challenges and highlights practical steps to support businesses navigating these pressures.
A Blueprint for Building Britain
Large-scale infrastructure development is critical to UK business and economic growth, but the stop-start approach we have seen over recent decades is holding us back. We need a slicker system that delivers sustainable benefits, on time and to budget.
Role of Business in the UK Visitor Economy
The visitor economy in the United Kingdom is a vital component of the nation’s overall economic landscape.
In the post-pandemic era and amid shifting global economic trends, the visitor economy faces a range of opportunities and challenges. This policy paper aims to explore its current state and future prospects. The focus is on key areas such as economic growth, the workforce, taxation, place-based strategies, and connectivity.
Cyber Resilience - What is Needed
Cyber Resilience: BCC published a new report on strengthening cyber resilience for businesses.The report calls on the government to strengthen engagement with the business community so that businesses are supported to adopt cyber security measures to boost confidence in the UK’s digital resilience.
Harnessing Retail Investor Optimism
A Retail Investor Sentiment survey, commissioned by the BCC Insights Unit after the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech, shows increased optimism that could be harnessed to grow the UK economy. Report published July 2025
Mind the Skills Gap Report 2025
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants 2025 'Mind the Skills Gap Report' shows that rising wage costs and National Insurance top the list of concerns for SME employers in 2025. The report looks at the various skills issue both from employer and employee perspectives.
Growth Through People
Taking on the NEET challenge and creating job opportunities for Gen Z. Young people are the workforce of the future; harnessing their skills and potential is crucial to creating thriving businesses and growing the economy. Firms need more skilled, engaged and motivated staff in every part of the UK.
Trade & Investment - Getting Delivery Right
As we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, the UK remains a beacon for open trade with the world.The numbers speak for themselves; in 2023, we exported £393bn in goods. In services, we were the second largest exporter in the world, with a trade surplus of £173bn. On supply chains, the UK has adapted with agility to challenges such as the pandemic, conflict and geopolitical concerns by diversification, building in greater security.
Boosting Opportunity and Realising Potential
Access to a skilled, engaged and productive workforce remains a top priority for business. Recruitment and retention difficulties are holding back firms of all sizes and sectors across the UK. They are also acting as a drag anchor on the economy. At the same time, the skills, experience and potential of many working age people are going untapped.
Economic Reports