BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
QUARTERLY ECONOMIC SURVEY Q3 2019
The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey – now in its thirtieth year – is the UK’s largest
private sector survey of business sentiment and a leading indicator of UK GDP growth. In Q3 2019, the results
found that UK economic conditions weakened in the quarter amid a significant deterioration in manufacturing
sector activity.
“Our findings point to a worrying drop-off in UK economic activity, with unrelenting uncertainty over Brexit and a
notable slowing in global growth prospects dragging down almost all the key indicators in the quarter.
The manufacturing sector continues to toil under the weight of diminishing cashflow, weakening global demand
and disrupted supply chains. Although the slowdown in a number of the key service sector indicators was
relatively modest, slowing activity in the sector is a concern given its dominant share of overall UK economic
output.
Looking forward, weakening orders, confidence and investment intentions suggest that unless action is taken the
UK’s current weak growth trajectory could drift markedly lower over the near term.”
Suren Thiru Head of Economics, British Chambers of Commerce
