Half of UK firms are considering making redundancies, according to a survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The survey shows that 51% of companies are considering or certain to make job cuts over the coming 6 months.

Adam Marshall, director of policy at the BCC, says: “With half of firms still thinking about cutting their workforce by the end of the year, the government must continue to promote measures that stimulate growth in investment and jobs.
 
“It will be business that drives an economic recovery, boosting employment along the way. Policies to help businesses retain jobs, and increase employment, will be critical over the next 12 months. Scrapping plans to raise National Insurance contributions in 2011 is an obvious place to start.”