Tag: business

Scottish business confidence remains low

Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for July 2020 shows:

  • Overall confidence of firms in Scotland rose four points in the past month to     -37%
  • Firms’ confidence in their own business prospects was unchanged month-on-month at -33%
  • One in ten (9%) businesses experienced an increase in demand, up four points on June

Business confidence in Scotland rose four points during July to -37%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

Companies in Scotland reported the same level in confidence in their business prospects month-on-month at -33%.  When taken alongside their views of the economy overall, this gives a headline confidence reading of -37%.

The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

The majority of firms continued to see demand negatively affected by coronavirus during July. Almost two thirds (64%) experienced a fall in demand for their products and services, up six points on the month before. However, 9% experienced an increase in demand, up four points on June.

With the Job Retention Scheme beginning to wind down from August, two fifths (41%) of Scottish firms surveyed said they didn’t currently have any furloughed workers.

Of the 55% of businesses reporting disruption to their supply chain during July, 18% expected the situation to improve within three months, while only 2% expected it would take more than 12 months to return to normal levels.

Fraser Sime, regional director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “While marginal, the slight increase in confidence we’ve seen this month is a step in the right direction.

“There’s still a long way to go for confidence to fully recover, but the current transition to Phase 3 of lockdown should hopefully continue to boost many firms’ trading prospects.

“Pessimism is waning in many English regions as the hospitality and leisure sectors open their doors once again. With many firms beginning to restart operations here in Scotland this month, August will be telling as to whether the same confidence-inducing effect will take hold here too.”

National overview

At UK level, confidence increased eight points to -22% during July. The North East was the most confident region at -3% followed by the West Midlands (-7%) and the North West          (-15%). Wales and Scotland were the least confident with -31% and -37% respectively.

In July, the retail sector increased 11 points to -12%, manufacturing increased 14 points to -21% and services rose 10 points to -26%. However, construction fell eight points to -22% after last month’s strong increase of 30 percentage points.

Paul Gordon, Managing Director for SME and Mid Corporates, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “With only one region reporting a fall in sentiment, we are starting to see sentiment lift for the vast majority of regions across the UK. 

“The easing of lockdown restrictions, including the reopening of the economy and the relaxation of social distancing rules, has resulted in most businesses reporting improvements in demand, from a record-low base. This is key for the summer season, which will allow businesses to continue to open their doors and trade in the weeks and months ahead.”

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While the results suggest the economy is starting to see some improvement, economic confidence still remains in deep negative territory.

“The Government announcement of the slight easing of social distancing measures has now enabled over half of businesses to reach their capacity and resume their usual activities. However, how businesses will continue to respond to the Job Retention Scheme will be key in the coming months.”

Working towards economic recovery

Advisory Group report published

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the recommendations of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery.

The group, led by Benny Higgins, was tasked with recommending solutions to ensure transition towards a greener, net-zero and wellbeing economy, and to advise on measures to address different challenges the economy will face as Scotland recovers from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The group’s 25 recommendations, which will now be considered in detail by the Scottish Government and its partners, include:

  • an urgent need to access low cost debt requires an accelerated review of the Fiscal Framework, and a significant increase in access to capital investment to support an investment-led recovery
  • a Scottish jobs guarantee, in partnership between business and government, should be introduced to address unemployment, with refocused skills strategies and decisive steps to align teaching and learning in universities and colleges to the needs of business
  • prioritisation of sector plans to deliver a green recovery, where the coincidence of emissions reductions, the development of natural capital and job creation are the strongest
  • critical investment in the country’s digital infrastructure to improve connectivity, reduce inequalities and build the country’s resilience
  • urgent action to develop a stronger relationship between business and government on the strategy for Scotland’s economic recovery

Ms Hyslop said: “I would like to thank Benny Higgins, the independent Advisory Group members and all who contributed to their work in setting out a route to recovery for Scotland to address the economic impacts of COVID-19.

“Scotland, as with other countries, faces enormous challenges, and we need to all work together as never before to ensure our country emerges through this pandemic with a green economic recovery that has inclusion and wellbeing at its heart.

“We wanted the report to be ambitious and far-reaching, and with this strong and comprehensive set of recommendations this has certainly been achieved.

“The report identifies the importance of employment, the environment, education and equality. I agree that each one of these will be vital as we seek to create a society that is resilient, fair, and one in which everyone has the opportunity to be successful. We will now develop a detailed response to the report which will be published before the end of July.

“This report represents a clear call to action that goes beyond the Scottish Government and the public sector. We will only be able to build the kind of post-COVID-19 recovery we want with the active involvement of the private, cultural and third sectors and, importantly, the public.

“It is therefore vital that everyone continues to work together in the crucial weeks and months to come to deliver the action Scotland needs to recover from the impact of COVID-19.”

Benny Higgins, Chair of the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, said:  “Scotland faces an economic challenge of monumental scale.  If we do not intervene radically to transform our economy, inequalities will drastically widen with long-term scarring for communities across the country, and for our young people in particular. This cannot be allowed to happen.

“The Advisory Group on Economic Recovery has worked at great speed over the past two months, engaging extensively with businesses and with wider civic society to understand the challenges that we face, but crucially to curate a set of recommendations that emphasise the immediate need to protect and create jobs, reduce inequalities by building a green and technology-led recovery, and make Scotland an attractive place to do business.

“To create a robust, resilient wellbeing economy, the public and private sector must now build a new partnership to prioritise and deliver bold action. And they must do so with purpose and urgency.”

Lord Robert Smith of Kelvin, who led the business engagement for the group, said: “It is evident that Scotland faces a lengthy road back to economic recovery and renewal. To succeed this must be led and delivered by the business community with the active support of government.

“I have engaged broadly with the business community over the last two months and there is consistent feedback. Across almost every sector, businesses are exposed to a collapse in demand and profitability, and with the threat of very significant job losses, generations are exposed to chronic economic harm.

“We need to restart the economy, get people back to work across the country, and invest in jobs and businesses that can succeed sustainably. A large part of that will mean securing a significantly enhanced relationship between government and business to ensure that policy and interventions can be delivered practically and with purpose.

“I therefore welcome the speed and conclusions of Benny’s Advisory Group – it has ambition and sets out a clear path for what is needed next for our economy to recover and renew as the restrictions of activity are lifted.”

towards-robust-resilient-wellbeing-economy-scotland

 

Scottish Firms’ confidence rises but remains near record low

Bank of Scotland’s Business Barometer for May 2020 shows: 

  • Overall confidence for firms in Scotland rose 17 points in the past month to -33%
  • Firms’ confidence in their own business prospects was -26%, compared with -29% in April
  • Growing number of firms experienced an increase in demand for goods and services

Business confidence in Scotland rose 17 points during May to -33%, remaining near record lows, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking.

Companies in Scotland reported higher confidence in their own business prospects than in April at -26%. When taken alongside their views of the economy overall, this gives a headline confidence reading of -33%.

The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

In an illustration of the impact COVID-19 is having on Scotland’s business, the majority of firms continued to see demand negatively affected during May, but with the picture improving slightly since April.

65% experienced a fall in demand for their products and services, down seven points on the month before. Meanwhile, 12% experienced an increase in demand, up on 5% in April.

The number of Scottish firms operating at less than 50% capacity increased 18 points to 43%. A fifth of firms (20%) weren’t operating at all, down from 32% in April.

Of the 75% of businesses reporting disruption to their supply chain during May, 19% expected the situation to improve within three months, while 14% expected it would take more than 12 months to return to normal levels.

Fraser Sime, regional director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking, said: “Scottish firms have been hit hard by this crisis, but they’re showing resilience in the face of great challenge.

“It’s encouraging to see that some businesses are beginning to reopen as demand creeps back. We’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder with companies from all sectors to help them overcome the challenges presented during this difficult time.”

National overview

Across the UK, business confidence held steady month-on-month, dipping just one point to   -33%. The North East and London both saw confidence rise month-on-month, scoring the joint-highest confidence reading at -20%. The South West recorded lowest confidence at         -51%, compared to -35% the month prior.

From a regional perspective, despite all being in negative sentiment, six of the 12 regions reported a higher confidence in May. The North East was the least negative region at -20%. The South West was the most negative region at -51% followed by the South East at -45%.

In May, the construction sector saw the sharpest decline, falling 24 percentage points to -44%. However, all the three other major sectors saw a modest increase. The retail sector increased eight points to -25%, while manufacturing rose to -27% and services saw a small increase of four points to -18%.

Paul Gordon, Managing Director for SME and Mid Corporates, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While May continued to show the unprecedented impact of the shutdown for businesses across the UK, it is important to see that now half of all regions are climbing back from the lowest levels seen last month.

“As Britain sees further easing of measures in the coming weeks, with more businesses re-opening, it is hoped that this will further improve businesses’ confidence. Government schemes and finance options continue to be made readily available to businesses so that they can be best placed and prepared to open once again in the months ahead.”

Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Despite the results partly capturing the period since the Government’s announcement of an initial easing of restrictions, trading conditions remain difficult for most firms.

“Nevertheless, a further relaxation of constraints will enable more businesses to resume their activities.”

Scottish Power signs C-19 Business Pledge

ScottishPower has today signed up to the C-19 Business Pledge, highlighting its commitment and efforts to help customers, colleagues and communities through the COVID-19 crisis and into the recovery phase. 

The Pledge – founded by former UK Cabinet Minister, Rt Hon. Justine Greening and UK entrepreneur David Harrison – encourages employers to pledge to help employees, customers and communities across Britain get through the crisis.

Crucially, businesses are asked to focus on how they will tackle the challenges of recovery as well as the challenges of keeping going through coronavirus. 

ScottishPower Chief Executive, Keith Anderson, signed the company’s networks, retail and renewables businesses up to the Pledge, saying he is proud to highlight the company’s support for its people, customers and communities. 

He added: “Since coronavirus became part of our daily lives, we’ve been working hard at ScottishPower to ensure our efforts provide the right support – not just to see us all through the crisis, but to help get the country back on its feet as well.

“More than ever, we know the difference our help makes and the C-19 Business Pledge is a great platform to showcase all we are doing across all our businesses for our customers, our colleagues and our communities. 

“Our message is clear – we are here for you – whether that’s supporting you to work in a different way, keeping the energy flowing to your homes and businesses, generating the clean energy we all want, helping you manage your finances during these difficult times, or supporting the most vulnerable in our communities. 

“By continuing to work together, we can achieve a better future, quicker which will make a real difference and benefit all of us in the longer term.” 

ScottishPower’s efforts to support customers, colleagues and communities through the COVID-19 pandemic have included: 

Customers

·      SP Energy Networks working round the clock to keep the power flowing to 3.5 million households across the UK, ensuring people can continue to work and stay connected to family and friends as well as going the extra mile to protect power supplies to critical facilities like hospitals, health and social care facilities and essential shops.

·        Our ScottishPower retail business providing residential and small business customers with the flexibility to adjust their direct debit payments to as little as £5 per fuel per month or take a payment holiday of up to two months if they are struggling financially.

·        ScottishPower retail issuing pre-loaded payment keys/cards with available credit or remotely adding credit to meters for prepayment customers unable to top up their meter due to illness, self-isolation, or financial difficulties. 

 Colleagues

  • Introducing an employee volunteer scheme that allows staff to get involved in local and national initiatives both during and outside normal working hours. This has resulted in employees getting involved in the likes of sewing PPE and scrubs for frontline NHS staff across the country and apprentices volunteering with charities providing vital food delivery services.
  • Promoting and supporting positive mental and physical health for employees.
  • Keeping employees informed and supporting them to work well at home and ensuring those performing critical roles are supported to work in line with government guidelines.

 Communities

  • Supporting partner organisations – thanks to almost £2 million previously awarded from SP Energy Networks’ Green Economy Fund. This has helped provide the resources and capabilities for partner organisations to respond, enhance and extend their vital services during the COVID crisis. The monies, invested in new electric vehicles and improved infrastructure, are now helping provide patient transport, free transport and bike hire for key NHS workers, as well as essential food supplies to vulnerable people and rural communities.
  • Providing funding of more than £50,000 from our networks business for partner organisations who provide additional support services for vulnerable customers on our Priority Services Register. This has helped them deliver key services such as essential food and medicine deliveries.
  • Donating PPE from ScottishPower Renewables’ offshore wind team to a local NHS hospital in East Anglia.

Over and above this, ScottishPower advocates the importance of a green recovery being at the heart of the country’s economic recovery, providing a driving force that will help us all move closer to net zero.

 The C-19 Business Pledge has now received the backing of employers representing more than three million people, staff and students throughout businesses and universities.

As well as ScottishPower, these include BP, Barratt Developments, Everton Football Club, Compass Group, Coca Cola, Persimmon Homes and Severn Trent Water. It has also received the backing of more than 60 Members of Parliament, across all major political parties. 

Justine Greening said: “With the future of many employers hanging in the balance and incredibly tough times unfolding in sectors across the UK, businesses face many incredibly difficult decisions. But those organisations – who are able to – can have a huge role in battling the impact of coronavirus and make a real difference in these uniquely challenging times. 

“In spite of everything, lots of employers have already shown amazing initiative and commitment to helping people affected by coronavirus. The C-19 Business Pledge is all about encouraging as many businesses and universities as possible to get involved and then helping them do that faster and better by sharing all the great work that’s already been done. 

“The early response from businesses across the UK has been incredible and it is great to see ScottishPower making this commitment too.” 

For more information on what ScottishPower is doing to support people and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, visit https://www.scottishpower.com. 

For more on the C-19 Business Pledge visit www.c19businesspledge.org.

Join the shop local movement!

With physically distant shopping and home deliveries on the rise, hundreds of Capital-based businesses in Edinburgh are reinventing the way they trade during lockdown.

Local gyms are offering virtual keep-fit classes, independent bars and restaurants are delivering to our doors, and small businesses and social enterprises are ramping up their abilities to work remotely.

With more options becoming available for safe shopping – and helpful directories like Localburgh, the Edinburgh Lockdown Economy, Locally and Edinburgh Social Enterprise providing up to the minute information on those who are open for business – we’re calling on residents to support local high streets where they can.

Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “Life during lockdown doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy or support our local high streets and there are now so many ways we can back the Edinburgh businesses we know and love. If you want your favourite places to still be there for you when the outbreak is over, please be there for them now.

“Where I live in Leith, there are dozens of incredible bakeries, bars, cafes and gift shops offering safe ways to collect products for those who are able to visit in person. For those of us at home, we don’t need to rely on multinational companies to deliver what we need. So please, if you’re lucky enough to be able to help, take a look at the diverse options on offer and stay loyal to local.”

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “Edinburgh has one of the best local business communities in the world and this is the most challenging time these companies will ever go through.

“As a Council, we have been doing all we can to provide advice and business rates support during these difficult days. We’ve paid out £70m in coronavirus business support grants so far to around 5,400 businesses and our Business Gateway service is here with expert support and guidance.

“But we all need to work together to support each other and our communities right now. If you aren’t able to financially support a business, why not leave a positive review or drop your favourite places an encouraging email of support and solidarity.”

Garry Clark, the East of Scotland Development Officer for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: “Shopping locally, online or otherwise, has been a firm feature of lockdown and is likely to remain with us for some time to come.

“Small local shops are ideally placed for the increasing number of people staying at home right now and there is huge potential for this to become part of our lives when the lockdown process eventually begins to unwind. Supporting local businesses has never been more important but it has never been easier either.”

Claire Pattullo, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Social Enterprise, said: “Social Enterprises rely on trade rather than grants or charitable donations to support their social benefits and they are being particularly hard hit at this time.

“Please make a conscious choice to support Edinburgh’s Social Enterprise sector and help protect the vital services they provide and that are even more in demand than ever.”

Edinburgh has a diverse Social Enterprise sector selling goods and services ranging from bespoke handmade furniture to recycled bikes, venue spaces and mental health first aid training.

All profits support their social benefits, such as homelessness; training and employment, and at the moment making sure vulnerable individuals have access to food and relief from the effects of isolation. When you buy from a member of Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network or where you see the Buy The Good Stuff logo, you are supporting social good.

Information on the support available to businesses in Edinburgh is available on the Council’s dedicated coronavirus webpages and from the Edinburgh Business Gateway.

Financial aid for residents and information on the help available to you if struggling financially is also available on the council’s website and through the Advice Shop.

Details of Edinburgh’s Social Enterprises can be found on the ESE website or you can contact them direct on info@edinburghsocialenterprise.co.uk.

Garden centre stays in bloom through coronavirus crisis

A local garden centre and tearoom is brightening up lockdown for its customers by offering a delivery service during the Coronavirus crisis, thanks to CBILS support from Bank of Scotland.

New Hopetoun Gardens in Broxburn was forced to close its doors to the public and furlough 28 of its 36 staff following the government’s announcement of a UK-wide lockdown.

The centre features 18 individually themed gardens and offers the largest range of plants for sale in Scotland, a tearoom and an award-winning gift shop.

April and May are the business’ busiest months with at least 10,000 people visiting each month to buy gardening essentials including potted plants, shrubs and pots.

Due to the current crisis, restrictions placed on the general public to avoid non-essential travel and purchases means the business can no longer rely on its usual income from customer visits.

In order to continue paying suppliers, provide care for the plants and deliver orders to customers during this unprecedented time, the business approached Bank of Scotland for support.

Within two weeks, New Hopetoun Gardens received a £195,000 CBIL funding package to assist with operations and an additional £110,000 CBIL earmarked for the end of the year should the lockdown continue beyond May.

Morag Macrae, joint owner of Hopetoun Gardens, said: “This should be our busiest time of year, but people simply aren’t allowed to visit us. To overcome this challenge, we’re focusing on home deliveries and currently send 15 orders a day to customers across Edinburgh.

“When the lockdown was announced we went through a lot of scenario planning. The deliveries do bring in a small amount of income, but we knew we’d need further support to pay our suppliers. We have a long-standing relationship with Bank of Scotland and thanks to the funding, we’re able to keep seven members of staff on board to deliver the plants and take care of the stock we still have.

“The support also gives us the flexibility required to make it through the quieter winter months. I hope our deliveries will continue to provide a bit of solace for our customers and brighten up what is a difficult time for all.”

Stuart McNaughton, relationship manager at Bank of Scotland, said: “With the general public unable to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary, a lot of businesses that rely on customer footfall are experiencing large decreases in income.

“For some however, there are alternatives. New Hopetoun Gardens is a great example of a business that is adapting and working to safely deliver plants to their customers.

“At Bank of Scotland we’re committed to supporting businesses as they navigate these challenging times.”

£100 million funding package to help Scottish business

A £100 million package of additional grant support for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) and newly self-employed people has opened for applications.

The announcement will see 3,784 Edinburgh businesses receive £49.45 million cash support to help them through the coronavirus crisis.

The three separate funds will be administered by local authorities and Scotland’s enterprise agencies and will begin to pay out grants in early May.

They include a £34 million hardship fund for the newly self-employed, a £20 million fund for small and micro enterprises in the creative, tourism and hospitality sectors and £45 million for viable SMEs crucial to the Scottish economy which are vulnerable.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Our economy has been hit hard by this crisis and previously profitable businesses have seen demand dry up overnight. Our support will help alleviate the hardship those individuals and companies are facing.

“I am particularly pleased that we will be able to help the newly self-employed who do not qualify for the UK’s scheme and are facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“We also recognise the particular impact of COVID-19 on our creative, tourism and hospitality sectors at what would normally be their busiest period. This fund is intended to relieve the hardship of smaller firms that are ineligible for other forms of support.

“As well as dealing with this immediate crisis, we must look to the future. We must ensure that viable and vital businesses in all sectors with a part to play in strengthening the resilience of Scotland’s economy survive this crisis and thrive in future, which is why £45 million is being allocated to support those firms.

“We continue to engage with businesses on a regular basis to understand their needs and press the UK Government to deliver for them.”

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald (above) has welcomed new figures showing that 3,784 businesses in the capital have received Scottish Government grants to support firms through the coronavirus crisis.

A total of £49.45 million has been awarded in Edinburgh through a Scottish Government scheme to support small businesses and the retail, hospitality and leisure sector.

The small business grant is worth over £1 billion to business, and is part of the wider business support package worth £2.3 billion.

In order that funding can be distributed as quickly as possible, eligibility for the grant scheme is linked to the non-domestic rates system.

Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “This is a very difficult time for businesses.

“This Scottish Government funding is designed to support firms and ensure that our economy is on the best possible footing when we get through this health crisis.

“Our support for business is now worth £2.3 billion. This is more than the Scottish Government has received from the UK Government and actively works to fill the gaps in the UK schemes with tailored support for the Scottish economy.

“I encourage all businesses across Edinburgh to ensure they are receiving the support they’re entitled to.”

Applicants can access these funds and more via the www.FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot website. 

Businesses rally to the cause in the battle against coronavirus

The First Minister has praised those manufacturers and businesses which have stepped in to support frontline services by diversifying production lines, increasing capacity and exploring new distribution routes during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Continue reading Businesses rally to the cause in the battle against coronavirus

Getting tourism ready for recovery

A call has gone out to those with skills, expertise and experience, who are currently ‘furloughed’ or on a reduced working pattern, to help address the challenges facing Scotland’s tourism sector. 

In 2017, the sector provided employment for eight out of every 100 Scottish workers, but thousands of tourism business owners are naturally feeling anxious about the future in the wake of coronavirus.

The call to arms – ‘Getting ready for recovery’ – has been championed by around 120 alumni of the Destination Leaders Programme (DLP), a joint initiative for tourism industry professionals delivered for the past seven years by Edinburgh Napier University and Scottish Enterprise.

DLP alumni to mentor furloughed tourism workers along the road to recovery

The aim of the furlough initiative is to help small tourism businesses recover by providing targeted support and mentoring that can enable them to take forward identified actions, outputs and outcomes during this period of enforced reflection.

Professor Jane Ali-Knight (above) of Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School, explained: “It is intended that involvement will fall under the acceptable category of professional training for ‘furloughed’ professionals, and will help maintain and extend their professional skills, expertise, experience and network.”

This will mean projects taken up will be focused on objectives that underpin The Scottish Tourism Strategy to 2030, as well as wider destination leadership, development, management, industry resilience and recovery, and destination promotion.

Aileen Lamb from Scottish Enterprise said: “The objective is to support recovery and potential restructure of the Scottish tourism industry. We want to use this opportunity to encourage innovative thinking across a range of themes.

“Most importantly we want to encourage the supportive and adaptable nature of tourism professionals to shine. The initiative will include a weekly online session called DLP Assemble giving businesses a collaborative place to gather regular updates on initiatives and government funding as we look towards the point when restrictions can be lifted.”

Ali-Knight says: “We will guide participants on themes and tasks arising through the DLP Assemble initiative, to help form project groups with a good mix of experience and expertise, and to match groups with mentors and professional support.”

Kenneth Wardrop, a fellow DLP founder, says: “We want to act quickly, working with existing groups such as ETAG [Edinburgh Tourism Action Group] and STERG [Scottish Tourism Emergency Response Group] in order to start applying practical thinking and solutions in response to the evolving and devastating impacts on Scotland’s tourism industry.”

Edinburgh Napier University is also running a free online course through FutureLearn to help small tourism businesses understand the power of data they hold or can access in helping them market themselves more effectively at this critical time.

‘Understanding Data in Tourism’ is open now for people to register for the next starting point, on 16 May, by visiting: 

futurelearn.com https://www.futurelearn.com/partners/edinburgh-napier-university