The latest survey ran between January and March 2022, with respondents answering questions about the October to December (Quarter 4) 2021 period.

Thank you to those who participated in the survey.

Key findings from the latest survey

• slowing growth for many Buckinghamshire businesses as economic uncertainty continued
• ongoing disruption to supply chains, reduced labour availability and rising costs
• One third (34%) of businesses described trading conditions between October and December as ‘worse than normal’ for the time of year
• Just over a quarter (28%) of businesses experienced staff absences due to Covid-19, with impacts including challenges with supply chains and staff confidence, which led to delays on a number of projects
• The majority of businesses (67%) are somewhat concerned about a cyber attack affecting their business, however 30% haven’t implemented any security measures and just 17% plan to implement more security measures in the future
• during the next quarter:
  • 72% plan to invest in marketing/advertising
  • 50% plan to invest in both digital technologies and training and development
  • 37% plan to invest in equipment and machinery
  • 30% plan to undertake R&D
  • 23% plan to export goods/services

Download Bucks Business Barometer results here >

Previous Business Barometer results

Read previous survey results below:

• 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.