The latest survey ran between August and October 2022, with respondents answering questions about the April to June (Quarter 2) 2022 period.

Thank you to those who participated in the survey.

Key findings from the latest survey

There was a substantial negative change in trading conditions and business performance in Q2 2022 - undoing some of the progress achieved following the end of Covid restrictions.

• More than half (54%) of businesses described trading conditions ‘worse than normal’ for the time of year - up from 24% in the previous quarter
• A marked fall was seen in sales growth and order books/pipelines
• Profits dropped and remain negative
• More than half (57%) of businesses experienced rising business costs in at least 6 or more identified areas. Every single business experienced rising costs in at least 1 area.
• The most severe business cost increases were for energy and goods/materials
• One third (34%) of businesses plan long-term price increases of 12 months or longer
• Debt repayments have increased for just over a third (34%) of respondents
• When asked about their plans for the next 3 months:
  • 55% intend to invest in marketing/advertising, down from 76% the previous quarter
  • 24% intend to invest in equipment and machinery, down from 48% the previous quarter
  • 10% intend to decrease their headcount, up from 3% the previous quarter
  • 34% intend to increase their headcount, down from 53% the previous quarter

Download Bucks Business Barometer results here >

Previous Business Barometer results

Read previous survey results below:

• Q1 2022 - Business Barometer
• Q4 2021 - Business Barometer
• Q3 2021 - Business Barometer
• Q2 2021 - Business Barometer
• Q1 2021 - Business Barometer

Want to learn more about the Business Barometer?

For further information about the Buckinghamshire Business Barometer, contact James Moorhouse, Economic and Labour Market Analyst, Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP):

• 01494 418415
• james.moorhouse@buckslep.co.uk

Every quarter, the survey findings are shared directly with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to help inform central government policy decisions.

The survey is run by Buckinghamshire Business First and Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership.