Businesses predict 0.5% Q3 economic growth

The British Chambers of Commerce's latest Quarterly Economic Survey of 7,593 UK firms suggested stagnation in the domestic market, and a fall in balances measuring exporting activity. However, it still signalled an uplift in GDP, mainly because the survey in Q2 had been more positive than the ONS's official estimate that GDP fell by 0.4%. Nevertheless, it is urging the government to unlock infrastructure investment and special capital allowances, to encourage companies to invest. David Kern, chief economist at the BCC, said: "The job of repairing Britain's public finances will take...