The British Chambers of Commerce has cut its UK growth forecast for 2018, warning the economy faces its weakest year since the financial crisis. The employers' group forecast 2018 GDP growth of 1.3%, down from a previous forecast of 1.4%, and cut its forecast for 2019 from 1.5% to 1.4%. The BCC said there was a "lacklustre outlook" for consumer spending, business investment and trade. It said the next few years will "be a testing time for business in the UK". Uncertainties around Brexit, interest rate rises, threats of trade wars and rising oil prices were all hurting sentiment, the BCC said. If the forecast for ... (full story)