Economy - Page 2 of 23 - Business Biscuit

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.

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 […]

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.

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 […]

South West businesses are showing resilience in response to global uncertainty, with 80 per cent saying they are confident in their ability to withstand economic shocks, according to new findings from the Lloyds Business Barometer.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday June 23 2026

Most south west business ‘able to withstand economic shocks’

South West businesses are showing resilience in response to global uncertainty, with 80 per cent saying they are confident in their ability to withstand economic shocks, according to new findings from the Lloyds Business Barometer. More than half (60 […]

Bristol remained the South West’s leading destination for inward investment last year, with Swindon recording four projects — a notable increase from just one in 2024, according to a new report.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday June 23 2026

Leap for foreign direct investment in Swindon, as Bristol leads

Bristol remained the South West’s leading destination for inward investment last year, with Swindon recording four projects — a notable increase from just one in 2024, according to a new report. South West England maintained stable levels of foreign […]

A "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to create one of the UK’s most powerful regional economies has been dealt a significant blow after Liberal Democrat leaders in Oxfordshire refused to agree a proposed Thames Valley Foundation Strategic Authority.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Friday June 19 2026

Thames Valley devolution bid in tatters after Oxfordshire Lib Dems pull plug

A “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to create one of the UK’s most powerful regional economies has been dealt a significant blow after Liberal Democrat leaders in Oxfordshire refused to agree a proposed Thames Valley Foundation Strategic Authority. The decision, taken at […]

A decade since the UK voted to leave the EU, a survey of regional mid-sized businesses paints a mixed picture of Brexit’s impact on their operations, according to accountancy and advisory firm BDO LLP.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday June 18 2026

Brexit at 10 – impact ‘worse than expected’ for a third of region’s mid-sized companies

A decade since the UK voted to leave the EU, a survey of regional mid-sized businesses paints a mixed picture of Brexit’s impact on their operations, according to accountancy and advisory firm BDO LLP. BDO’s bi-monthly tracker of 500 […]

Business activity across the South West private sector was broadly unchanged in May amid muted demand conditions, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday June 11 2026

South West business activity flat in May

Business activity across the South West private sector was broadly unchanged in May amid muted demand conditions, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker. At 49.9, the headline South West Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index which […]

The South of England jobs market weakened further in May, with permanent hiring still under pressure as employers held back on recruitment amid poor confidence and tight budgets.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday June 9 2026

Temp billings rise as employers hold back on recruiting

The South of England jobs market weakened further in May, with permanent hiring still under pressure as employers held back on recruitment amid poor confidence and tight budgets. At the same time, companies leaned more heavily on temporary staff, […]

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday June 9 2026

Nationwide CEO gets big pay rise

The CEO of Swindon-based building society Nationwide has seen her pay package almost double after the building society’s takeover of Virgin Money, in a move that is likely to reignite debate over executive rewards at mutual lenders. Dame Debbie […]

Business confidence in the South West fell two points during May to 22 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday June 2 2026

South West business confidence dipped in May

Business confidence in the South West fell two points during May to 22 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in the region reported higher confidence in their own trading outlook month-on-month, up four points […]

Around 4.4 million members of Swindon-headquartered building society Nationwide will see £100 pop into their accounts next week, the mutual has announced.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday May 21 2026

Nationwide announces £100 Fairer Share payment for members

Around 4.4 million members of Swindon-headquartered building society Nationwide will see £100 pop into their accounts next month, the mutual has announced. The payout includes 460,000 customers in the South West – 30,000 of whom are in the building […]

More than two-fifths of Central South businesses say a combination of supply chain pressures and higher energy and fuel costs are among their biggest challenges as they grapple with the impact of conflict in the Middle East, according to new research from accountancy and advisory firm BDO LLP.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday May 19 2026

Businesses press pause on investment plans to absorb latest global shock

More than two-fifths of the region’s businesses say a combination of supply chain pressures and higher energy and fuel costs are among their biggest challenges as they grapple with the impact of conflict in the Middle East, according to […]

$Business activity across the South West private sector rose fractionally in April, after falling modestly in March, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker.$

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday May 18 2026

Business activity rose slightly in April

Business activity across the South West private sector rose fractionally in April, after falling modestly in March, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker. The headline South West Business Activity Index – a seasonally adjusted index which measures changes […]

Business and political leaders from across the West will showcasing the region at a major UK summit this week.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday May 18 2026

Business and political leaders showcase regions at investment event

Business and political leaders from across the West will showcasing the region at a major UK summit this week. The West of England Mayor and Swindon Borough Council will both be pitching the area to investors at the UK’s […]

Permanent recruitment across the South of England fell sharply in April as rising uncertainty and softer business confidence continued to weigh on hiring decisions, according to the latest KPMG and REC Report on Jobs.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Wednesday May 13 2026

Permanent recruitment fell sharply in April – report

Permanent recruitment across the South of England fell sharply in April as rising uncertainty and softer business confidence continued to weigh on hiring decisions, according to the latest KPMG and REC Report on Jobs. At the same time, employers […]