• 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 […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday July 9 2026

Swindon town centre to undergo massive clean-up this summer

Swindon town centre is to undergo a massive clean-up this summer – with the owners of commercial properties told to tidy up their premises. Street cleaning, graffiti removal, paving repairs, weed clearance and bench refurbishments will all form part […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Monday July 6 2026

Devolution could boost rural economies – report

English devolution could unlock billions in extra tax receipts and level up long‑overlooked rural economies, according to a new report from countryside charity the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Devolution has hit the headlines again this week, with Manchester […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday July 2 2026

Megadeals drive South West equity boom, but deal numbers fall

The South West saw the biggest percentage rise in equity investment of any UK nation or region in 2025, with funding for smaller businesses more than doubling to £687 million, according to the British Business Bank’s annual Small Business […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Thursday July 2 2026

Business West presses case for Thames Valley devolution

Business West has pressed the case for Thames Valley devolution after  Oxfordshire County Council pulled the plug on a deal that that would have brought billions of pounds of investment to the Thames Valley. Councils from Swindon to Reading […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Wednesday July 1 2026

£700,000 scheme to boost market towns launched

A £700,000 plan to drive economic growth in Wiltshire has been agreed by Wiltshire Council leaders. At a meeting of the council’s Liberal Democrat-led Cabinet last week, members voted in favour of the package, which includes a £250,000 small […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Tuesday June 30 2026

South West sees biggest business confidence rise of any region

The South West has seen the biggest confidence rise of any region last month, climbing 22 points to 44 per cent in June, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in the South West reported higher confidence […]

• Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
• Tuesday June 30 2026

Seventy per cent of UK businesses fear economic uncertainty

UK businesses have been hit hard by economic issues and remain worried and pessimistic about the future of UK plc, according to new research from international accountancy and business advisory group Azets. The findings of the Q2 2026 Azets […]