The January survey raised questions on sales and competition, business expectations for 2004, the 'terrorist threat', stress related illnesses in the workplace, health, age and productivity growth.
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155 respondents were drawn with the following population characteristics:
5 The previous question's results were consistent with the responses given to two related questions, on air travel security and security for other forms of public transport. 10% of UKBB respondents feel that, in spite of the new security measures, air travel is unsafe or very unsafe and 14% feel that similar or equivalent measures should be applied in other forms of public transport.
8 From the choices provided, the majority of the UKBB respondents, 56%, think that reform of the regulatory burden on enterprise would be the most important contribution to promoting productivity. The second most popular choice, but by a wide margin at 19% of respondents, was for overcoming barriers to raising finance for small business. Business Advisers, answering the same question in the UKBAB survey this month, have similar priorities, but with 49% selecting reform of the regulatory burden on enterprise and 27% choosing overcoming barriers to raising finance.
Comments are listed under sector headings.
Views expressed are those of individual panellists and may not represent those of the University.
Production & Manufacturing
Business Services
Other
Retail
The Chancellors Pre Budget statement highlighted various areas of activity to promote productivity growth. Which of those listed below do you feel is the most important?
a) reform of the regulatory burden on enterprise
b) overcoming barriers to raising finance for small business
c) measures to promote regional growth by local authorities
d) promoting entrepreneurial skills in young people
One has to choose a 'least worse' option. In my opinion none of the alternatives are likely to be of value to small business. It would be more beneficial for the chancellor to abolish the bureacracy behind the provision of these 'initiatives' and relieve the taxpayer of the burden of innumerable civil service salaries.