The Buckinghamshire Business Barometer tracks local business confidence and performance, and gauges views on topical issues. Conducted every six months, it aims to establish how businesses have fared in the preceding months, building a picture of the needs and opportunities that exist in the Buckinghamshire business community.

This valuable insight into the local economy informs our conversations with government and other stakeholders, ensuring the voice of Buckinghamshire's firms is recognised.

The results of the latest survey

From the latest survey of 103 businesses, we can now understand the impacts of announcements made in the Autumn Budget 2024 on Buckinghamshire’s businesses, as well as the impact of tariffs on exports to the United States, and barriers to businesses recruiting employees with disabilities, health conditions, or special educational needs.

Headline insights:

• 47% of businesses reported that their trading conditions were worse than their typical trading conditions for the time of year. This is slightly worse than in the last survey in Q4 2024 (46% of businesses)
• There continued to be a high net balance* of Buckinghamshire businesses reporting increased costs, at 75% (down from 81% in Q4 2024)
• Net balances for turnover, profit, workforce, sales, and order books all increased slightly on Q4 2024 levels, but remained negative, reflecting that general trading conditions continue to be worse than normal.
• About a third of businesses (32%) reported they were delaying or cancelling recruitment because of the changes in National Insurance Contributions (NIC), the Employment Rights Bill, and National Minimum Wage increases. However, 29% reported they were making no changes due to these policy changes.
• Commonly reported challenges for the year ahead included acquiring customers, staffing (recruiting, retaining, and managing), and managing cost increases.
• The most reported barrier to recruiting staff with disabilities, health conditions, and special educational needs was a lack of organisational expertise, in addition to a wide range of barriers. Although, several businesses surveyed reported that they already successfully recruit staff with disabilities, health conditions, and other special educational needs.
• 1 in 8 Buckinghamshire businesses expected to be impacted by the tariffs on UK exports to the US, with affected businesses generally considering reorganising their business operations as a result.

* The % of firms reporting an increase minus the % reporting a decrease.

Read the full Business Barometer results

Download the Business Barometer results here (PDF) >

Whatever your business needs, our team is here

However your business is doing, whatever your hopes are for it, whatever challenges and opportunities you see in front of you, the team here at Buckinghamshire Business First is by your side.

There are a lot of businesses that can vouch for the support we've given them, so do reach out to us to start a conversation about how we can help you.

Email [email protected], call 01494 927130, or fill in a quick online form.