Survey BB-26 :
Of the issues raised in EB25, this, the 26th reading, considered 'Investment', 'Sourcing of materials and goods from overseas', 'Borrowing' and 'Government Legislation'. Also included was a question on use of the Barometer website.
Question Number Question Q1 In the next 12 months do you envisage significant new investment in Plant and Equipment? Q2 To what extent is your business constrained by lack of investment in Plant and Equipment? Q3 Do you source your raw materials or finished goods from overseas to a greater extent than previously? Q4 To what extent do you believe that your customers are turning to overseas sources, which compete directly with your business? Q5 To what extent do you feel that government legislation is aimed at small as opposed to 'Big' business? Q6 To what extent would you benefit from more guidance from government as to your rights and obligations in respect of new legislation? Q7 How often do you look at the Business Barometer web site to see the results of previous surveys? Q8 To what extent is your business constrained by skill shortages? Q9 To what extent is your business constrained by a lack of finance? Q10 To what extent is your business constrained by low market demand? Q11 Over the last 3 months, has your business:- Q12 Over the next 3 months, do you expect your business to:
(1) In the next 12 months do you envisage significant new investment in Plant and Equipment?
Response Total answers: 215 %
1 Yes 35.8%
2 No 64.2%
(2) To what extent is your business constrained by lack of investment in Plant and Equipment?
Response Total answers: 213 %
1 Significantly 8.5%
2 13.1%
3 25.4%
4 30.5%
5 Not at all 22.5%
(3) Do you source your raw materials or finished goods from overseas to a greater extent than previously?
Response Total answers: 211 %
1 Yes 23.2%
2 No 76.8%
(4) To what extent do you believe that your customers are turning to overseas sources, which compete directly with your business?
Response Total answers: 213 %
1 Significantly 19.7%
2 9.4%
3 18.8%
4 21.1%
5 Not at all 31%
(5) To what extent do you feel that government legislation is aimed at small as opposed to 'Big' business?
Response Total answers: 210 %
1 Significantly 12.4%
2 13.3%
3 41.4%
4 18.6%
5 Not at all 14.3%
(6) To what extent would you benefit from more guidance from government as to your rights and obligations in respect of new legislation?
Response Total answers: 215 %
1 Significantly 23.3%
2 19.1%
3 41.4%
4 10.7%
5 Not at all 5.6%
(7) How often do you look at the Business Barometer web site to see the results of previous surveys?
Response Total answers: 215 %
Always 0.5%
Often 5.1%
Occasionally 54.4%
Never 40%
(8) To what extent is your business constrained by skill shortages?
Response Total answers: 215 %
1 Highly 11.6%
2 27.4%
3 25.1%
4 24.2%
5 Not at all 11.6%
(9) To what extent is your business constrained by a lack of finance?
Response Total answers: 215 %
1 Highly 20%
2 20.5%
3 20.5%
4 20.9%
5 Not at all 18.1%
(10) To what extent is your business constrained by low market demand?
Response Total answers: 215 %
1 Highly 19.1%
2 13%
3 32.1%
4 23.3%
5 Not at all 12.6%
(11) Over the last 3 months, has your business:-
Response Total answers: 213 %
Expanded significantly (more than 10%) 12.2%
Expanded somewhat (between 5% to 10%) 30%
Remained static 41.3%
Declined somewhat (between 5% to 10%) 11.7%
Declined significantly (more than 10%) 4.7%
(12) Over the next 3 months, do you expect your business to:
Response Total answers: 214 %
Expand significantly (more than 10%) 8.4%
Expand somewhat (between 5% to 10%) 40.2%
Remain static 40.2%
Decline somewhat (between 5% to 10%) 8.9%
Decline significantly (more than 10%) 2.3%