NW business confidence dips for second month

Martyn Kendrick

Business confidence in the North West fell eight points during November, to 34%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

Companies in the North West reported lower confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, down 12 points at 35%.  When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, down two points to 34%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 34%.

The Business Barometer, which questions 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

A net balance of 32% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down 15 points on last month, but remaining above the UK average.

Overall, UK business confidence was buoyant in November at 40%, down just three points on October’s reading of 43%.

Both firms’ confidence in their own trading prospects and optimism in the economy remained comfortably in positive territory, each dipping just three points month-on-month to 39% and 41%, respectively.

All UK nations and regions had positive confidence readings in November, with three regions – Wales, the East of England and South East – reporting an increase on October’s data.

Firms in London (down two points to 63%) remained the most confident for the third month in a row, followed by the North East (down 16 points to 45%), the West Midlands (down eight points to 42%) and East Midlands (down 13 points to 42%).

A net balance of 30% of firms across the UK reported plans to create new jobs in the next 12 months, with hiring intentions strongest in London (41%), Wales (37%) and the South West (37%).

Martyn Kendrick, regional director for the North West at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Despite the dip in confidence businesses in the region remain positive about their trading prospects and the wider economy.

“Of course there are challenges ahead, not least with ongoing supply chain issues, but firms in the North West have demonstrated their resilience time and time again and it won’t be any different now.”

He added: “Businesses are in a solid position to bounce back and keep up the momentum behind the nation’s recovery.”

At a sector level, confidence slipped in manufacturing (42%), to its lowest since August, linked to the persistence of supply chain disruptions, while it fell to a seven month low of 28% in construction.

In contrast, the retail sector (45%) bucked the trend with a pick up in confidence, reflecting hopes for higher spending ahead as the festive period approaches.

Services confidence (41%) fell slightly, with strong growth for financial and business services and communications offset by more downbeat responses from education, health and public administration.

Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist for Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Business confidence remains robust above the long term average, but it dipped this month as economic optimism and trading prospects were affected by the persistence of rising costs and supply chain issues.

“Pay expectations remain elevated with a quarter of businesses anticipating rises of three per cent or more in the next 12 months which will add to business costs, but it bodes well for staff facing into economic challenges.”

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