Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the Government had ‘made all the right noises’ about growing the economy and that businesses in the region are right behind that sentiment.
He said: “None of us were expecting a big leap in the final quarter so last year’s growth of 1.3 per cent is broadly in line with what many anticipated. It’s growth – and that’s positive – but it’s not spectacular.
“What we saw was a positive start to 2025 but then a fairly flat rest of the year and we’d love to see a repeat at the beginning of 2026 but then consistent growth throughout the year.
“In many conversations I’ve had with businesses in the early part of this year I’ve heard that many are taking the opportunity to invest and act upon plans for growth that they had held back on with so much uncertainty around last year.
“We can’t hide from the fact that rises in National Insurance – as well as other rising business costs, speculation around the Budget and the impending implementation of the Employment Rights Act are all in the minds of business leaders.
“But there is still an appetite to grow and if the Government – who have made all the right noises on growth – can move from strategy to delivery it can unlock some of that.
“If you look at planning, for example, I have spoken to businesses in the past couple of weeks who are ready to develop new sites for employment but are waiting too long for decisions.
“That is one example where, if we can get this right, we can help to accelerate growth.”
David Bharier, head of research at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “Today’s data shows the first annual estimate of GDP came in at 1.3 per cent in 2025, just below our own forecast of 1.4 per cent. But quarterly growth was weaker than expected, at just 0.1 per cent in Q4.
“Beneath the headline, the quarterly data paints a subdued picture. Services were flat, construction fell sharply, and business investment dropped in the quarter. That combination points to weak momentum going into 2026 and underlines the persistent low growth trap the UK faces.
“The past 12 months have been marked by uncertainty and rising costs for firms across the UK. Our latest survey of UK firms in Q4 shows that most SMEs are holding back on investment, with rising taxation and cost pressures are cited as the top two concerns.
“Improving the outlook now depends on restoring business dynamism. Government must move from strategy to delivery – backing infrastructure projects, speeding up planning decisions, addressing skills gaps, and strengthening export support – so firms can invest, export and grow.”
