SEMLEP survey confirms hopes for 2022
Optimism amid a challenging environment is the message from business across the South East Midlands as companies prepare for the recovery post-pandemic.
More than a quarter say that performance has improved over the past 12 months and 40 per cent anticipate the trend to continue in 2022. However, 34 per cent say that business worsened in 2021. Investment in. staff training has reduced the skills gap but the perceived lack of skilled employees remains a major constraint of growth, says the annual business survey by the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership.
The survey, conducted in October and November, spoke to more than 1,800 local businesses to identify economic issues and opportunities. The South East Midlands continues to be rated increasingly highly as a place to do businesses and to attract inward investment. 75 per cent of organisations surveyed rated the region as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. However, innovation, the green agenda and inclusive recruitment are all issues that have significant scope for future development. A total 46 per cent intend to become more sustainable in their operations but only 11per cent have a specific aim to achieve net zero.
The findings of the survey will inform and shape economic strategies and development activities over the coming year, said SEMLEP chief executive Hilary Chipping. “While it can come as no surprise that the business environment remains challenging, many businesses are dealing with multiple, long-term obstacles,” she said. “It is pleasing to see strong economic resilience and a positive outlook coming through.”
Business can be optimistic for 2022, she added. SEMLEP will continue its business support, grants and skills programmes. SEMLEP’s senior economic analyst Claire Ackroyd said the survey’s findings were an important part of the business information SEMLEP uses to clarify its support and investment needs. “The findings of this survey particularly will help us to map the response of businesses to economic shocks, providing us and our local authority partners with important data to shape future strategies.”