Swindon & Wiltshire Economy 09.09.2026 Economic growth hits six-month high in South West South West businesses gained momentum in August, with rising sales and renewed hiring across the region, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker. The headline South West Business Activity Index rose from 50.8 in July to 53.0 in August, […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy 08.09.2026 1,000 jobs to be created in UK’s drone capital More than 1,000 highly-skilled jobs are on course to be created in Swindon following a wave of major investment in drone manufacturing. The surge comes exactly a year after the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy singled out Swindon as a […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy 04.09.2026 Employers named over minimum wage breaches Employers across the South West and Berkshire have been named in a Government minimum-wage enforcement round, which returned almost £4 million to workers nationally. Around 660 employers have been named for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, with […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy 01.09.2026 Business confidence in the South West jumps as trading outlook and economic optimism surge Business confidence in the South West rose 25 points during August to 55 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds, the first time it has outpaced the national average since June 2025. Companies in the South […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Wednesday September 9 2026 Economic growth hits six-month high in South West South West businesses gained momentum in August, with rising sales and renewed hiring across the region, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker. The headline South West Business Activity Index rose from 50.8 in July to 53.0 in August, […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Tuesday September 8 2026 1,000 jobs to be created in UK’s drone capital More than 1,000 highly-skilled jobs are on course to be created in Swindon following a wave of major investment in drone manufacturing. The surge comes exactly a year after the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy singled out Swindon as a […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Friday September 4 2026 Employers named over minimum wage breaches Employers across the South West and Berkshire have been named in a Government minimum-wage enforcement round, which returned almost £4 million to workers nationally. Around 660 employers have been named for failing to pay the National Minimum Wage, with […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Tuesday September 1 2026 Business confidence in the South West jumps as trading outlook and economic optimism surge Business confidence in the South West rose 25 points during August to 55 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds, the first time it has outpaced the national average since June 2025. Companies in the South […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Wednesday August 26 2026 Wiltshire parking charges rise from next week Parking in Wiltshire is set to become more expensive from Tuesday, 1 September, with council-run pay-and-display charges increasing by an average of 20 per cent. The increase will be rounded to the nearest 10p and marks the first change […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Thursday August 20 2026 Pay rises outpace hiring slowdown, jobs report says Pay is finally moving in the right direction for jobseekers across the South of England, even as employers keep a tight grip on permanent hiring, according to a new report. The latest KPMG and REC Report on Jobs showed […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Tuesday August 18 2026 AI has created new jobs, say South West businesses AI is helping South West firms create new jobs and build the skills needed to stay competitive, according to research from the Lloyds Business Barometer. Forty-eight per cent of South West businesses already using AI say it has created […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Wednesday August 12 2026 Crackdown on vape and betting shops welcomed by West leaders Sweeping new powers to block the spread of vape shops, betting outlets, and adult gaming centres have been welcomed by West leaders. The measures – set out by Andy Burnham yesterday – are designed to give communities greater control […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Wednesday August 12 2026 South West businesses return to growth South West businesses made a positive start to the second half of 2026, with both business activity and new orders returning to growth in July. The latest NatWest South West Growth Tracker showed the region’s Business Activity Index rose […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Tuesday August 4 2026 EY upgrades UK economic outlook, but warns Iran conflict may halt growth The UK economy has demonstrated continued resilience despite disruption from the conflict in the Middle East and is now forecast to grow at a slightly better-than-expected pace in 2026, according to the new UK Economic Outlook from Bristol-based accountancy […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Friday July 31 2026 South West business confidence falls in July Business confidence in the South West fell 14 points during July to 30 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds – a sharp drop that reflects significant headwinds facing businesses in the region. Companies in the […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Wednesday July 22 2026 British Business Bank backs 2,800 South West firms as £500 million economic boost forecast The British Business Bank supported 2,800 smaller businesses across the South West in 2025/26, with the funding expected to generate a £500m uplift in regional economic output. Figures from the Bank’s third annual Impact Report show the backed firms […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Tuesday July 21 2026 Cooling cost pressures offer encouragement in the South West despite softer June trading South West businesses faced a tougher trading environment in June as weaker customer demand weighed on activity and new orders, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker data. The headline South West Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Monday July 13 2026 HR Dept urges incoming Prime Minister to support SMEs Swindon-based HR Dept is calling on incoming Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to consider the challenges currently facing small and medium-sized enterprises in the wake of sweeping employment law reforms and rising employment costs. SMEs across the UK, including Wiltshire, […]
Swindon & Wiltshire Economy Monday July 13 2026 Jobs: temp billings continued to climb in June Recruitment activity across the South of England showed tentative signs of stabilisation in June, as temporary hiring strengthened and the decline in permanent placements eased, according to the latest KPMG and REC UK Report on Jobs. The survey, compiled […]
