In November 2021-January 2022, business confidence in the UK economy rose by six percentage points from the previous rolling quarter, to net: -5. In January, employers’ confidence levels turned positive (net: +1). This suggests more positive expectations for the economy in 2022, despite the threat of rising inflation and...

21.02.22 – Prime Minister sets out “Living with Covid” strategy The Prime Minister has today set out the government’s “Living with Covid” strategy. The plan was based on 4 principles: Remove all remaining domestic restrictions in law. Protect the most vulnerable with targeted vaccines and treatments, accepting JCVI advice...

Working from home for part of the week has become the norm for some employees, a survey of managers has suggested. More than 80% said their firms had adopted hybrid working – most since the pandemic, a survey for the Chartered Institute of Management (CMI) found. But senior leaders...

By late January 2022, more than 9 in 10 (93%) of single site businesses reported they were currently trading, up from 89% in early July 2021. This was highest in Wales and Northern Ireland (97%) and lowest in England (92%). While more Welsh businesses were now trading, 17% were...

Our latest Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates for October to December 2021 show a continuing recovery in the labour market, with a quarterly increase in the employment rate and a decrease in the unemployment rate. However, economic inactivity has increased slightly on the quarter. The UK employment rate increased...