Recovery gathering strength but risks remain – BCC
THE economy has made further progress but there are still some risks at home and abroad that could derail the recovery, according to the latest quarterly economic survey released today by the British Chambers of Commerce.
The new survey, made up of responses from more than 7,400 businesses, shows that most key balances strengthened in Q2 2013 compared with the previous quarter.
The export balances remain strong, with the services export deliveries balance reaching its highest level (+36%) since our survey began. It is encouraging to see employment balances rise, said the Chamber, after they fell in the previous quarter.
Despite these welcome improvements, most indicators remain below their 2007 pre-recession levels, and it is disappointing that cashflow remains weak, while service investment balances fell in the quarter.
The findings suggest that the economy will continue to strengthen gradually over the next year, with growth slowly improving. The results also demonstrate resilience among UK businesses, who continue to feel confident and are looking to invest and increase exports this year.
Key findings:
• For both manufacturing and services, most key domestic balances are stronger in Q2 than in Q1, but in both sectors they remain below pre-recession levels seen in 2007.
• Export balances remain strong: service deliveries rose three points to +36% (the highest since the survey started in 1989) while orders rose three points to +29% (the highest since 1994).
• Employment balances rose in Q2, following their Q1 decline. In manufacturing, the balance improved from +11% in Q1 to +19% in Q2; in services, it improved from +6% to +15%.
• Business confidence has again increased, and is much stronger than average levels during the recession. Manufacturing confidence that turnover will improve rose seven points to +51%; service sector confidence rose six points to +46%. Profitability confidence rose from +33% to +39% for manufacturing, and from +22% to +34% in services.
• The investment picture however was mixed. While the balance of manufacturing firms looking to increase investment in plant and machinery rose nine points to +23%, for services it fell two points to +7%.
• Pressure to raise prices continued to ease in Q2. In manufacturing, this fell by five points to +12%, with many citing reduced pressures from raw materials. For services, the balance fell by seven points to +12%, low by historical standards.
• Cashflow balances are weak in both sectors. While manufacturing increased two points to +4%, the services sector recorded a five point drop and now sits at +1%. For services this remains 20 points below its 1997 peak.
John Longworth, director general of the BCC, said: “Despite gloomy media headlines in recent months, our economic survey once again shows increased business confidence. UK firms are determined to make progress.
“It is incredibly encouraging to see export deliveries reach record levels, and the upturn in employment balances is reassuring in spite of the risks at home and abroad. However the falls in the service investment balances and the weak cashflow balances in both sectors are a warning that economic growth could be slow, and a reminder that a sustained upturn cannot be taken for granted. For these reasons, business access to finance, and working capital in particular, must be assured.”
He added: “British firms are doing their utmost to drive recovery. The sheer strength of our export balances shows that companies have untapped potential to expand. It must be recognised that recovery will only be turbo-charged if we can create a truly enterprise-friendly economy here in the UK. That, in turn, requires swift delivery of the infrastructure boost promised in the Spending Review, more support for exporters seeking to enter new markets, far more action on finance for growing companies, and a relentless government commitment to enabling the private sector to generate wealth and prosperity.
“If we want Britain’s economy to be great, rather than just good, pro-growth policies will need to continue for decades to come. Otherwise, we may be in for a long and slow road to recovery – a prospect with little appeal for either business or government.”
