Commenting on the latest forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility, Suren Thiru, Head of Economics at the BCC, said: “The OBR’s latest forecasts paint a bleak picture of the UK’s economic prospects over the near-term as the drag effect of rising inflation, supply chain disruption and higher taxes weakens key drivers of UK output. “The robust forecast for business investment looks too optimistic with rising cost pressures, higher taxes and a deteriorating economic outlook likely to dampen investment intentions by more than the OBR’s latest projections suggest. “The OBR has also confirmed that the UK’s fiscal outlook has improved since the Autumn Budget, despite a sharp uptick in debt interest payments. This leaves the chancellor with more than enough fiscal headroom to better support households and businesses through this difficult period.” Read more from the British Chambers of Commerce
