The English business survey (EBS) provides Ministers and government officials with information about the current economic and business conditions across England. Latest figures available are from May. These are the ‘headline’ findings:
In May 2013, output performance was positive, recording a balance score of +32% for England. This was unchanged from April’s results, which were the highest since when the survey began in October 2011. This was an improvement on the same period last year, when a balance of +25% was reported.
Similarly, the employment balance (+9%) in May was also unchanged from April, which was one of strongest since the survey began. This was similar to the employment balance recorded in the same period last year (+8%).
All regions recorded positive results for output and employment. For output, the South East recorded the strongest balance (+37%) whereas the East Midlands was the weakest (+23%). For employment, the East Midlands, East of England and the South West recorded the strongest balance scores (+13%) whereas the North East and the West Midlands were the weakest (+2%).
More businesses (34%) are anticipating output to increase in August, than decline (23%), resulting in a balance of +11%. This is a drop from April’s output expectations balance (+25%) and is a slight decline from the balance from the same period in 2012 (+11%).
Expectations for employment in May indicate that 12% of businesses are expecting lower employment and 19% are anticipating an increase in August. This produced a balance of +7%; the same as this period last year. Businesses were particularly optimistic in the South East, where the anticipated balance was +14%.
You can check out a full report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-innovation-skills/series/english-business-survey.
Watch this space for news from future business surveys.
