Confidence among SMEs slumps
The Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Voice of Small Business Index has revealed that confidence among SMEs slumped by 9.6 points from a positive 0.3 to -9.3 in the third quarter of 2011.
The results of the survey of over 1,600 SMEs were released shortly after GDP growth for the second quarter of this year was revised downwards to 0.1%.
The FSB has called for a targeted VAT cut and a national insurance contributions (NICs) holiday to counteract the pressures of weak demand and rising costs in the economy.
The results also showed that a net balance of 6% of businesses think that they will make redundancies in the coming three months, which the FSB said pointed to a further
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk.
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@insuranceage.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. Printing this content is for the sole use of the Authorised User (named subscriber), as outlined in our terms and conditions - https://www.infopro-insight.com/terms-conditions/insight-subscriptions/
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. Copying this content is for the sole use of the Authorised User (named subscriber), as outlined in our terms and conditions - https://www.infopro-insight.com/terms-conditions/insight-subscriptions/
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@insuranceage.co.uk
More on Broker
People Moves: 15 – 19 April 2023
Stay in the loop with the latest insurance personnel moves.
First fall in car premiums for over two years
Comprehensive car insurance premiums fell by 5% in the first three months of 2024 after nine consecutive quarters of rises, according to the latest research from Confused/WTW.
Biba Conference 2024 countdown: iprism’s Brad Harmer
In the latest in our series of Biba previews, Brad Harmer, chief commercial officer at iprism, teases a digital challenge on its stand and why he won’t be missing astronaut Tim Peake’s speech.
Three quarters of brokers still concerned about underinsured clients, claims Aviva
According to Aviva’s latest Broker Barometer survey, 73% of brokers are concerned that some of their clients may be underinsured as just 24% of brokers’ clients had increased their sums insured to an adequate level.
Broking profits fall at Saga
Underlying profit before tax in Saga’s insurance broking arm fell to £39.8m for the year ended 31 January 2024, compared with £71.5m in the previous period.
Alan Boswell seals deal for taxi and driving school specialist
Alan Boswell Group has bought The Insurance Centre, a Norwich-based insurance broker with expertise in taxi and driving schools insurance.
US fronter Hadron set to onboard first UK MGA in Q2
Altamont-backed hybrid insurer Hadron is aiming to change the reputation of fronters to businesses that priortise sensible and measured underwriting rather than just scale.
Biba Conference 2024 countdown: CFC’s Pat Brice
As we continue our Biba Conference series, Pat Brice, distribution director at CFC, promises socks on its stand, and reflects on the post-pandemic buzz of the event, encouraging first-timers to step back and absorb their surroundings.
Most read
- In Depth: Managing cyber risk in an ever-changing security landscape
- Covéa cuts losses but underwriting deficit grows
- JMG strikes its biggest deal of 2024 with BQI swoop