FSB West Midlands Quarterly Small Business Index Q1 2022

Local News 18 May 2022

Regional small businesses are less optimistic than they were this time last year, although their outlook is more upbeat than it was in the previous quarter.

The latest report, covering the first quarter of 2022 paints a mixed picture, highlighting areas for concern alongside more positive trends.

For example: the proportion of small businesses reporting a decrease in staffing levels doubled, compared to Quarter 4 2021.  This is the first time negative net employment growth has been reported since the beginning of 2021.

The main barriers to growth were seen to be domestic economic conditions, rising input costs and weak consumer demand.

Click below to download the report