Chambers’ online tool helps firms put a number on the cost of business

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is encouraging its members and businesses across the region to use a new online tool designed to reveal how much rising policy-driven costs are affecting their bottom line.

The Cost Stack Calculator, launched by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), allows businesses to see how the cost of doing business has changed over the past decade - and to submit their own figures anonymously to help build a national evidence base ahead of the Autumn Budget.

Research from the BCC shows that domestic policy-driven costs for a typical SME have risen by more than 70 per cent since 2016, with around a quarter of that increase coming since the Autumn 2024 Budget alone.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce is now calling on businesses across its network to use the calculator - with policy chiefs stressing the more businesses that contribute, the stronger the collective voice will be ahead of the Autumn Budget. 

Emily Stubbs (pictured), head of policy at the GBCC, said: “Businesses across our region are frequently telling us how much rising costs are squeezing their margins and holding back investment.

“This calculator gives them a straightforward way to put a number on that pressure and add their voice to a growing body of evidence.

“The more of our members who take part, the stronger the case we can make to Government ahead of the Autumn Budget.

“We’d urge every business, whatever their size, to take a few minutes to use the tool.”

Access the Cost Stack Calculator to submit your figures anonymously.