In Focus Collections
‘UK productivity gap set to persist’
Problems with the economy look set to continue as seven in 10 small firms hold back investment
Mike Cherry National chairman, the Federation of Small Businesses
Small firms are struggling to expand, hire, and raise productivity as political uncertainty leaves them increasingly hamstrung, according our full Small Business Index (SBI) report for the second quarter. The considerable majority (72%) of small
firms are not planning to increase capital investment in their businesses over the coming quarter. This figure is at its highest since the second quarter of 2017. According to the ONS, business investment fell for four straight quarters, last year, for the first time since the financial crash.
Skills shortage Elsewhere, more than a third (35%) of small firms say accessing appropriately skilled staff is now a major barrier to growth – the biggest proportion since the third quarter of 2015. The net balance of small businesses that are increasing headcounts – the proportion of those hiring new staff less the proportion reducing their team size – stands at a three-year low (-2%). Net migration from the EU fell to 74,000
in the year ending December 2018, down from 189,000 in the year ending June 2016. One in five (21%) small employers rely on staff from the EU. The quarterly UK SBI confidence measure
stands at -8.8, down 22 points compared to the same period in 2018, marking a fourth consecutive negative reading. Such a sustained slump is a first for the index, which launched in 2010. It is impossible for small business owners to invest for the future when we do not know what the future holds. We urgently need to see the government spell out its plans for supporting small firms
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and securing a pro-business Brexit – one that encompasses a comprehensive deal and a substantial transition period. Fast and loose talk about accepting a chaotic no-deal Brexit in four months’ time is not helpful. Lifting productivity among the smaller
firms that make-up 99% of our business community is a must. But until we have the political certainty that enables us to take risks and innovate, achieving that goal will remain elusive. A tight labour market and falling migration
do not help matters. It is becoming harder and harder to find the right people to fill vacancies. With that in mind, we welcome the announcement of a Migration Advisory Committee review of future salary thresholds for those looking to make the UK home.
New credit The latest SBI report also finds that only one in seven (14%) small firms are applying for new credit. The figure is largely unchanged over the past two years, and is down two
percentage points compared to the second quarter of 2016. More than four in 10 (43%) small firms
describe new credit as ‘unaffordable’ – the highest proportion since the first quarter of 2015. Fewer than one in five (15%) successful
credit applicants are using new finance to expand their firms, down 10 percentage points compared to the same period last year. With so much uncertainty afoot, caution
among lenders is understandable. They seem happy enough to issue new credit in some cases, but are upping premiums to cover themselves. Against this backdrop, it is more critical
than ever that the British Business Bank is properly equipped to build on its vital work in providing start-up loans and enabling equity investment in small firms. A sudden withdrawal of European
Investment Fund support for small firms, without a suitable domestic replacement, would be catastrophic. CCR
Fewer than one in five (15%) successful credit applicants are using new finance to expand their firms, down 10 percentage points compared to the same period last year. With so much uncertainty afoot, caution among lenders is understandable
www.CCRMagazine.com September 2019
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