A sharp decline reported in small business confidence, this via Reuters.
Federation of Small Business says that confidence among its members across Britain fell to a four-year low of -2.5 in the last three months of 2017
- from +1.1 points in the third quarter and +20.0 in the first three months of the year
More:
- one in seven small business owners are planning to downsize, close or sell their business over the coming three months
- three quarters of firms were experiencing a rise in operating costs versus a year ago.
FSB survey of 1,084 members
- Between November 9 and 25
Reuters adds "before Prime Minister Theresa May reached agreement with the EU in December to move on to more detailed trade talks"
- While the swift agreement of a transitional arrangement and an ambitious free trade agreement with the European Union are absolutely critical, it's spiralling costs, weak growth and flagging consumer demand at home that are front of mind for small firms day to day," FSB chairman Mike Cherry said.
