Businesses are being urged to help track the performance of the North-east economy by taking part in the latest edition of a flagship confidence survey.
The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) – which is run by law firm Gilson Gray and Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce – will ask businesses if they have seen an increase, decrease or no change in a series of metrics, such as domestic sales, cash flow and investment.
And in this latest survey, we have introduced new questions seeking to understand more about the funding pressures facing businesses specifically the availability of debt and equity funding.
Thank you to those companies that have already shared their views but it’s vital that we have as large a sample as possible to ensure the results are robust and representative.
If you haven’t got round to it yet, we would really appreciate it if you could take just 5 minutes to complete the survey for Q2 2024 to ensure the views of your business, sector and the Aberdeen region are fully represented in the national data.
Click here to take part in the survey.
AGCC Chief Executive Russell Borthwick
Russell Borthwick, chief executive at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "As well as giving us a regional picture, the data gathered will also be fed into a national version of the report, run by the British Chambers of Commerce, which is the largest and most representative independent business survey of its kind in the UK.
"Its findings are closely watched by policymakers such as the Treasury, the Bank of England and the Office of Budget Responsibility."
Gilson Gray Partner Findlay Anderson
Results from the last edition of the survey, in Q1, showed that High personal and business taxes are hampering the growth of companies in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Taxation has overtaken inflation and high energy costs as the biggest constraint facing companies in the region.
Commenting on the Q1 results, Finlay Anderson, a Partner at Gilson Gray, which now has a new North-east headquarters at Blenheim Gate in the city centre, said: “It is clear that the North-east economy remains resilient with less inflationary concerns than previously. However, government policies have not helped and it remains to be seen how these will affect the economy as we prepare for a critical period in both business and politics.”
Click here to read the Q1 results and report.