Economy - Page 20 of 22 - Business Biscuit

The UK government needs to deploy a “trade bazooka” to defend British businesses against mounting global economic pressures, according to a new report from the British Chambers of Commerce.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday April 27 2026

British businesses ‘need a bazooka’ to take on Trump, China and the effects of Brexit

The UK government needs to deploy a “trade bazooka” to defend British businesses against mounting global economic pressures, according to a new report from the British Chambers of Commerce. The business group says UK firms have been left permanently […]

WH Smith has suspended its dividend and warned of weaker profits, as geopolitical disruption and slowing passenger spending weigh on the travel retail sector.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Thursday April 23 2026

Thanks Donald – WH Smith cuts outlook amid weaker passenger spending

WH Smith has suspended its dividend and warned of weaker profits, as geopolitical disruption and slowing passenger spending weigh on the travel retail sector. The Swindon-headquartered FTSE 250 group said on Thursday it would halt shareholder payouts in a […]

Two-in-five businesses in the Thames Valley intend to increase their prices in the next three months, as they battle rising costs of their own.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Wednesday April 22 2026

Two-in-five Thames Valley firms plan price rises in next quarter

Two-in-five businesses in the Thames Valley intend to increase their prices in the next three months, as they battle rising costs of their own. The results of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce quarterly economic survey suggests 41 per […]

Reforms to improve vet fee transparency have been welcomed by the founder of premium pet-sitting service Birddog Catwalk.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday April 21 2026

Reforms to improve vet fee transparency welcomed

Reforms to improve vet fee transparency have been welcomed by the founder of premium pet-sitting service Birddog Catwalk. The changes follow a major investigation which found that pet owners often lack clear information on pricing and services from their […]

Companies across the South West have signalled renewed falls in both business activity and new orders in March, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Friday April 17 2026

Iran war takes toll as output falls amid decline in new orders

Companies across the South West have signalled renewed falls in both business activity and new orders in March, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker. At 48.7 in March, the headline South West Business Activity Index – a seasonally […]

A steeper fall in permanent job placements across the South in March highlighted continued caution among employers as uncertainty over the economic outlook weighed on hiring, according to the latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Wednesday April 15 2026

Permanent staff appointments fell at quickest rate for six months in March

A steeper fall in permanent job placements across the South in March highlighted continued caution among employers as uncertainty over the economic outlook weighed on hiring, according to the latest KPMG and Recruitment & Employment Confederation UK Report on […]

Wiltshire-based engineering firm MJ Church has been awarded a multi-million pound contract to improve Junction 17 of the M4 by Wiltshire Council.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Tuesday April 14 2026

Civil engineering firm MJ Church lands multi-million pound M4 contract

Wiltshire-based engineering firm MJ Church has been awarded a multi-million pound contract to improve Junction 17 of the M4 by Wiltshire Council. If approved by the Department for Transport, the £31 million scheme will see the slip roads at […]

The number of households in the South West is set to grow by 20 per cent, adding more than 498,800 households to the region by 2040, according to the latest research by socio-economic experts at planning, design and development consultancy Marrons.

Swindon & Wiltshire Economy
Monday April 13 2026

Number of households to grow by fifth in West by 2040

The number of households in the South West is set to grow by 20 per cent, adding more than 498,800 households to the region by 2040, according to the latest research by socio-economic experts at planning, design and development […]

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 […]