BCC to challenge 'Champions League' claim - papers 16 April

The Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling will tell the British Chambers of Commerce's annual conference the UK is winning "the Champions League of European Business" and claim that last month's Budget was a boost for small firms. But the BCC will counter with a poll showing nearly two-thirds of entrepreneurs believe that it is far harder to start and grow a business today than it was when Labour came to power 10 years ago. Referring to a new report which shows UK firms make almost as much profit as France and Germany's top companies combined, Darling will say: "The secret to much...