The Charterhouse Research survey looking at business confidence has highlighted a real sense of resilience amongst UK businesses, despite a negative view of the UK economy.
The survey found that only 23% of companies feel positive about the current UK economy, with 66% of respondents believing that it will not improve over the next six months and 22% (nearly 1 in 5) believe it will actually worsen.
However, 46% of those businesses surveyed still expect to experience growth over the next six months, compared to only 7% who believe their business will decline.
Commenting, Mark Dennis, director at Charterhouse Research, said: “Our study has shown that despite all the economic doom and gloom, there is a real fighting spirit amongst UK businesses. It is clear that they are more positive about their own prospects for growth than the UK economy overall, regardless of the size of their business.”
Some of the key findings within the recent Business Confidence Study are as follows:
• In terms of attitudes towards the current UK economy:
o 23 of UK businesses feel positive
o 44% of UK businesses feel negative about the current UK economy
• Regarding views for economic outlook over the next 6 months:
o 28% of UK businesses believe the UK economy will improve
o 44% believe it will be the same as now
o 22% believe it will worsen
• When asked for an outlook on their own business prospects, responses were more positive:
o 46% believe they will experience growth over the next 6 months
o Only 7% are predicting a decline
