Share

Business Survey February 2010 - AGCC

1. According to official data, the UK is out of recession. Does it feel as though the recession is over for your business?

Yes – 26.6%

No – 73.4%

2. With the UK now officially out of recession, how likely do you think it is that the economy will see a double-dip recession?

Very Likely – 14.7%

Likely – 54.1%

Unlikely – 30.3%

Not Likely At All – 0.9%

3. Taxes are likely to have to rise to reduce the UK's budget deficit. Which one of the following tax increases would be least damaging to your business?

VAT Increase – 33.6%

NIC Increase – 6.4%

Corporation Tax Increase – 13.6%

Capital Gains Tax Increase – 29.1%

Fuel Duty Increase – 17.3%

4. There is a 1% rise in Employer National Insurance Contributions planned for April 2011. What is the main tool that your business will use to absorb this rise?

Wage Growth Restraint – 41.5%

Workforce Reduction – 7.5%

Investment Cuts – 10.4%

Limit Staffing Levels – 11.3%

Cut Other Overheads – 24.5%

Other – 4.8%

5. Which one of the following best describes how your workforce will change over the next three months?

Employees will decrease – 17.4%

Employees will stay the same – 71.6%

Employees will increase – 11%

6.) Over the course of 2010, which one of the following statements best describes the approach your business will take towards pay and working hours?

Pay Will Be Reduced – 4.6%

Working Hours Will Be Reduced – 4.6%

Both Pay And Working Hours Will Be Reduced – 3.7%

Pay And Working Hours Will Remain The Same – 67.0%

None of the Above – 20.1%

7.) Which one of the following statements best represents your view of the UK’s labour market flexibility over the last five years?

Over the last five years the UK labour market has become more flexible – 33.6%

Over the last five years the UK labour market has become less flexible – 32.8%

Flexibility of UK labour market has not changed over the last five years – 33.6%

8. Are you concerned that the Default Retirement Age may be abolished?

Yes – 33.6%

No – 66.4%

9. Which one of the following do you see as being the number one priority for an incoming Government?

Reduce Deficit – 40.9%

Maintain Public Expenditure – 7.3%

Stimulate Exports – 7.3%

Reduce Unemployment – 9.1%

Increase Tax Competitiveness – 18.2%

Reduce Regulatory Burden – 17.2%

10. Will the business policies of the Conservative Party benefit your organisation?

Yes, they will benefit my business – 21.8%

No, they will not benefit my business – 16.4%

I am not aware of them – 35.5%

Don’t know – 26.3%

11. Will the business policies of the Labour Party benefit your organisation?

Yes, they will benefit my business – 2.7%

No, they will not benefit my business – 47.3%

I am not aware of them – 24.5%

Don’t know – 25.5%

12. Will the business policies of the Liberal Democrat Party benefit your organisation?

Yes, they will benefit my business – 5.5%

No, they will not benefit my business – 19.1%

I am not aware of them – 42.7%

Don’t know – 32.7%

Business Survey February 2010