Economy - Page 2 of 21 - Business Biscuit

Business confidence in South West rose 30 points during March to 48 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday March 30 2026

South West business confidence rockets in March

Business confidence in South West rose 30 points during March to 48 per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds. Companies in South West reported higher confidence in their own trading outlook month-on-month, up 19 points at […]

The National Minimum Wage is a positive force for both employees and employers and sets the foundation for loyalty around recruitment and retention according to a recruitment expert.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday March 23 2026

Recruiter welcomes National Minimum Wage as positive step

The National Minimum Wage is a positive force for both employees and employers and sets the foundation for loyalty around recruitment and retention according to a recruitment expert. April will see the National Minimum Wage rise by 4.1 per […]

There are signs of returning confidence among employers, with organisations reporting an increase of 259 on payroll over the past month, according to analysis of the latest Office for National Statistics payroll data by the employment and pay app WageSight.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday March 19 2026

Jobs still down in Wiltshire — but signs of a turnaround in recent months

There are signs of returning confidence among employers, with organisations reporting an increase of 259 on payroll over the past month, according to analysis of the latest Office for National Statistics payroll data by the employment and pay app […]

Unleashing the West of England from its structural constraints could see the region reach its potential and power the UK’s growth.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday March 19 2026

Unleashing West of England could power UK’s growth – report

Unleashing the West of England from its structural constraints could see the region reach its potential and power the UK’s growth. That’s one of the key findings of a the first report from research and insight hub The Brunel […]

AI is helping South West firms work more efficiently and unlock new opportunities for growth, according to findings in the latest Lloyds Business Barometer.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday March 12 2026

South West businesses adopting AI see strong gains in productivity and profitability – survey

AI is helping South West firms work more efficiently and unlock new opportunities for growth, according to findings in the latest Lloyds Business Barometer. South West businesses integrating AI into their operations are reporting significant financial benefits, with 70 […]

There was a softer reduction in permanent staff hiring across the South West region in February, according to a major jobs market survey.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday March 12 2026

Fall in permanent job placements slows – but reverse is some way off

There was a softer reduction in permanent staff hiring across the South West region in February, according to a major jobs market survey. Data from the latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs revealed the fall in permanent […]

Swindon is set to be the capital of the UK's drone technology and manufacturing sector - with nine companies either already established or heading for the town.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Friday March 6 2026

Swindon set to be UK’s capital of drone technology

Swindon is set to be the capital of the UK’s drone technology and manufacturing sector – with nine companies either already established or heading for the town. At a meeting of Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet this week, council leader […]

Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented her 2026 Spring Statement on Wednesday, using the financial update to emphasise stability for businesses, avoiding major tax or spending announcements while reinforcing the government’s broader economic strategy.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday March 5 2026

Businesses react to Spring Statement

Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented her 2026 Spring Statement on Wednesday, using the financial update to emphasise stability for businesses, avoiding major tax or spending announcements while reinforcing the government’s broader economic strategy. The update focused primarily on economic forecasts […]

A major £2.3 million transformation of Chippenham station has been completed, delivering - says Network Rail - significant improvements for passengers, cyclists, and the local community.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday March 3 2026

£2.3 million Chippenham station transformation complete

A major £2.3 million transformation of Chippenham station has been completed, delivering – says Network Rail – significant improvements for passengers, cyclists, and the local community. The improvement works were made possible by the Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise […]

Business confidence in the South West plummeted 10 points during February to 18 per cent, bucking the national trend.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Friday February 27 2026

South West business confidence plummeted in February

Business confidence in the South West plummeted 10 points during February to 18 per cent, bucking the national trend. Companies in the South West reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down four points at 35 per […]

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday February 26 2026

Average South West wage revealed in new report

The average wage in the South West has been revealed in a new report. The average salary in the South West stands at £37,195, according to Wiltshire- and Bath-based recruitment firm CMD Recruitment. The firm’s 2026 Salary Guide says […]

Total private equity investment activity in the South West held steady in 2025, according to the latest UK Private Equity Review from KPMG UK.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday February 23 2026

South West private equity deals hold steady in 2025 despite market uncertainty

Total private equity investment activity in the South West held steady in 2025, according to the latest UK Private Equity Review from KPMG UK. The comprehensive annual study into private equity deal activity found that 127 transactions were completed […]

Swindon is ready and able to play a central role in delivering growth across the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and the wider Thames Valley, the government’s science minister has been told.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday February 23 2026

Science minister hears how Swindon will play central role in tech boom

Swindon is ready and able to play a central role in delivering growth across the Oxford-Cambridge corridor and the wider Thames Valley, the government’s science minister has been told. Patrick Vallance, minister for science, innovation, research and nuclear, visited […]

Swindon Borough Council has joined five other Fast Growth Cities in writing to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to call for renewed national investment and a meeting to discuss how the group can help deliver the UK’s economic growth mission.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday February 23 2026

Swindon urges Chancellor to unlock borough’s growth potential

Swindon Borough Council has joined five other Fast Growth Cities in writing to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to call for renewed national investment and a meeting to discuss how the group can help deliver the UK’s economic growth mission. The […]

Swindon has come second in a new report analysing the UK's most economically effective cities.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Wednesday February 18 2026

Swindon ranks #2 among Britain’s most economically effective cities

Swindon has come second in a new report analysing the UK’s most economically effective cities. CoworkingCafe ranked 15 towns and cities combining five indicators: labour productivity, average weekly hours, employment rate, job density and business density. The Wiltshire town […]