Businesses are eagerly waiting to see what Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver in the upcoming Budget on Wednesday 26th November. We’ve already sent our Budget submission, with a clear call of no further taxes on business.
With less than a fortnight until the Budget, we’re asking local businesses to give us a sense of pre-Budget confidence and outlook, by completing our Quarterly Economic Survey (QES). Every three months, all 51 UK Chambers’ of Commerce roll out the QES, which is the longest running independent survey of business sentiment, having started life in 1989.
QES provides a measure of the levels of business confidence and outlook and is widely acknowledged by the likes of the Bank of England as a really useful indicator of how the economy is performing.
In the last year, QES responses have picked up a slowdown in business confidence. April 2025 saw the implementation of higher National Insurance employer contributions and a rise in the Minimum Living Wage, with business owners grappling with higher costs.
Earlier this week, ONS published stats which showed a worrying rise in unemployment, which has grown more strongly than expected, to 5%. Wage growth continues to remain strong. Throughout 2025, QES responses have picked up a trend of more businesses reporting a pause on investment in plant, machinery and staff training. Labour costs continue to rank as the highest cost pressure for business.
As we head through the final quarter of 2025, how are your levels of business confidence? Please share your feedback by taking the time to complete our QES. Survey responses can be completed anonymously, and results are compiled and shared with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), who will publish an overall summary of national results. Here at Staffordshire Chambers’, we’ll be analysing results in the county and making both regional and national comparisons.
The QES comprises a short bank of questions, most of which have a simple tick box response. It takes little more than 60 seconds to complete and by taking part, you’ll help to paint a picture of local and national economic performance. We’re keen for QES responses to be reflective of a wide mix of business sectors and business sizes.
Please spare us a minute of your time. Your response can be really valuable. Click here to open QES – Q4 2025:
QES will be very much on the agenda at another meeting with one of our local Members of Parliament:
· 12.12.2025. – Allison Gardner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South.
Any business can sit down with their respective MP but as the voice of our members, we hold regular meetings with all of our MP and having a face-to-face discussion with a broad mix of business sectors opens up the conversation and allows our elected politicians to get a clear understanding of the local picture. It’s a perfect opportunity to join your fellow members in raising the key issues affecting your business and you can book your place through the events page of our website:
Our ‘Meet the MP’ meetings are open to Chamber members only and advanced booking is essential.
