Warnings about future profits made by South West companies listed on the London Stock Exchange have soared by 75% compared to this time last year – with most of them blaming the coronavirus pandemic. The latest analysis from international accountancy group EY shows there have been 14 profit warnings issued in the region so...
The latest moves by the government to support businesses, including relaxing the insolvency laws and removing some red tape, have been given the thumbs up by the region’s largest business organisation. Business West described the measures, announced by Business Secretary Alok Sharma on Friday evening, as sensible steps that would help protect companies weakened...
Business organisations have backed government help outlined last night to support the self-employed and sole traders affected by coronavirus, describing them as a lifeline for around 5m people. The measures announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak, pictured below, provide a grant worth 80% of profits up to a cap of £2,500 a month and are targeted...
Swindon’s small and medium-sized manufacturers are being urged to take part in a major survey to gauge the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on industry. The resected quarterly Manufacturing Barometer – the largest survey of its type in England – has just gone live and is inviting companies to highlight the issues they are...
Swindon businesses needing up-to-date information, advice and guidance to help them trade in the current unprecedented market conditions are being encouraged to turn to a new web portal launched by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation. Called Trading Through Coronavirus, it aims to help businesses navigate their way through the crisis by enabling...
National business organisations have welcomed the government’s drastic measures putting the country into virtual lockdown in a bid to combat the rapid spread of coronavirus. The CBI said the action presented “great challenges” while the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said it made it even more vital that support for businesses was delivered quickly. ...
The South West TUC and Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, have jointly welcomed the latest government measures to tackle the economic and jobs crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. But in a joint statement they slammed the regional response as “too slow . . . fragmented and inconsistent” and called for further...
Pubs, cafes and restaurants must close down this evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced, as Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a massive package of measures to support businesses and their workers. The government is to pay 80% of wages for employees not working, up to £2,500 a month, Mr Sunak said. Companies and organisations...
The Bank of England has cut interest rates to 0.1% – their lowest level ever – as it attempts to deal with the economic fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic. The move is the second emergency cut in just over a week prompted by the outbreak – last week the rate was reduced from 0.75%...
A training programme staged by Business West, the region’s largest business organisation, has been nominated alongside the likes of Apple and Google at a prestigious national awards scheme. Pathways to International Trade, which is in its sixth year, involves talented undergraduate students undergoing an intensive four-day training course in international trade and exporting before...
