Britain’s recovery is strengthening. You heard it here first – by which I mean, you heard it from the British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey first.
Although a significant number of our members do fill out the British QES survey it is far from the majority so I thought I emphasize the importance of this particular monitor on our economy.
- The QES is Britain’s biggest, and longest-running, private business survey.
- It’s provided consistent data since 1989, and regularly receives more than 7,000 business responses. Compare that to the average business survey, which garners a few hundred responses.
- It’s a leading indicator – often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics.
- The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee uses the QES as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates.
- HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility use the QES to put together their forecasts for the UK’s economic performance.
- The European Commission uses the QES to assess the health of the UK economy when it makes policy recommendations for both Westminster and Brussels.
- The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) use the QES when comparing the UK to competitors worldwide.
- The QES is a clear example of how being part of a local Chamber of Commerce means you’re part of something bigger. Together, we are the economy.
I feel it very important that Norfolk businesses influence natonal policy by feeding back through this mechanism so I would ask that next time it hits your in box you try to give us 3 minutes of your time to complete it.
For details of Q2 which have just been released go to: https://tinyurl.com/oqeatct
