1. Survey information
These questions are for Wave 77 of the fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) dispatched on 20 February 2023.
Back to table of contents2. Trading status of your business
Which of the following statements best describes your business's trading status?
Currently fully trading
Currently partially trading
Paused trading but intends to restart in the next two weeks
Paused trading and does not intend to restart in the next two weeks
Permanently ceased trading
Where in the UK are your sites temporarily or permanently closed, if any?
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
East of England
East Midlands
Greater London
North East of England
North West of England
South East of England
South West of England
West Midlands
Yorkshire and The Humber
Not sure
Do not have any sites
None of our sites are temporarily or permanently closed
3. Exporting
Which of the following statements best describes your business's exporting status?
Exported in the last 12 months
Exported more than 12 months ago
Never exported but have goods or services that could be developed for export
Never exported and do not have goods or services suitable for export
Not sure
How did your business's exporting in January 2023 compare with this calendar month last year?
Exported more
Exporting stayed the same
Exported less
Business was unable to export
Not sure
Did your business experience an increase in any of the following exporting challenges in January 2023, compared with the previous calendar month?
Additional paperwork
Change in exchange rates
Change in transportation costs
Customs duties or levies
Destination countries changing their border restrictions
Disruption at UK borders
Finding information on how to export
Lack of hauliers to transport goods or lack of logistics equipment
Reduced demand for products and services
Time taken for checks at the border
Work permit or visa restrictions, or lack of mutual recognition of professional qualifications
Other (Please describe)
Did not experience an increase in any exporting challenges
What was the main cause of these exporting challenges?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the end of the EU transition period
Other (Please describe)
Not sure
Does your business currently use rules of origin to access lower or zero tariffs on exports?
Yes, to EU countries
Yes, to non-EU countries
Yes, to both EU and non-EU countries
No
Not sure
How has using rules of origin when exporting to the EU changed the amount of administration for your business?
Administration has increased
Administration has stayed the same
Administration has decreased
Not sure
Why does your business not currently use rules of origin to access lower or zero tariffs?
Administrative costs of rules of origin outweigh the potential tariff saving
Exports do not meet rules of origin requirements
Lack of understanding, staffing or expertise to use rules of origin
The business has attempted to use rules of origin but has been unsuccessful
The EU does not charge tariffs on the goods the business exports
Other (Please describe)
Not sure
Not applicable
4. Importing
Which of the following statements best describes your business's importing status?
Imported in the last 12 months
Imported more than 12 months ago
Never imported
Not sure
How did your business's importing in January 2023 compare with this calendar month last year?
Imported more
Importing stayed the same
Imported less
Business was unable to import
Not sure
Did your business experience an increase in any of the following importing challenges in January 2023, compared with the previous calendar month?
Additional paperwork
Change in exchange rates
Change in transportation costs
Custom duties or levies
Disruption at UK borders
Finding information on how to import
Lack of hauliers to transport goods or lack of logistics equipment
Suppliers not customs ready
Time taken for checks at the border
Other (Please describe)
Did not experience an increase in any importing challenges
What was the main cause of these importing challenges?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the end of the EU transition period
Other (Please describe)
Not sure
5. Supply chains
Has your business had any extra costs due to the end of the EU transition period?
Additional transportation costs
Costs associated with changing supply chains
Costs associated with the storage of goods
Costs due to increased red tape
Costs incurred from wasted goods
Cost of setting up EU subsidiaries
Extra costs in the prices of goods and services imported
Extra tariffs or taxes
Other (Please describe)
Not sure
No extra costs
Does your business intend to open any new branches or subsidiaries in the EU in the next 12 months?
Yes
No
Not sure
Was your business able to get the materials, goods or services it needed from within the UK in January 2023?
Yes, the business was able to get the materials, goods or services it needed
Yes, but the business had to change suppliers or find alternative solutions
No, the business was not able to get materials, goods or services needed
Not applicable
How much disruption to your business have these challenges caused?
Major disruption
Moderate disruption
Minor disruption
No disruption
Not sure
Did your business experience any global supply chain disruption in January 2023?
Yes
No
Not sure
Not applicable
What was the main reason for global supply chain disruption?
Conflict in Ukraine
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Increased costs
Shortage of hauliers or carriers
Shortage of materials
UK exiting the EU
Other transportation issues
Other (Please describe)
Not sure
Which of the following will be the main concern for your business in March 2023?
Business rates
Competition with other UK businesses
Energy prices
Exchange rates
Falling demand of goods and services
Inflation of goods and service prices
Interest rates
Property rental costs
Supply chain disruption
Taxation
Other (Please describe)
Not sure
No concerns for the business
6. Sending goods
Has your business sent goods from GB to Northern Ireland in the last 12 months?
Yes
No
Not sure
In January 2023, how did the volume of goods your business sent from GB to Northern Ireland compare with the previous calendar month?
Volume increased
Volume stayed the same
Volume decreased
Stopped sending goods to Northern Ireland
Not sure
Not applicable
Please give more details about why the volume of goods sent from GB to Northern Ireland changed in January 2023:
- Comments
7. Workforce trends
Is your business currently experiencing a shortage of workers?
Yes
No
Not sure
Not applicable
How has the shortage of workers affected your business?
Employees working increased hours
Business had to pause trading entirely
Had to pause trading of some of the business
Business had to recruit temporary workers
Unable to meet demands
Other (Please describe)
Not sure
Business has not been affected
On average, how did employees' hourly wages in January 2023 compare with employees' hourly wages in the previous calendar month?
Wages increased
Wages stayed the same
Wages decreased
Not sure
8. Industrial action
Was your business affected by industrial action in January 2023?
Yes, the business was affected
No, the business was not affected
Not sure
Not applicable
Prefer not to say
How was your business affected by industrial action in January 2023?
Business was unable to obtain necessary goods
Business was unable to obtain necessary services
Business was unable to operate fully
Part or all of the workforce were directly involved in industrial action
Workforce had to change their working location
Workforce were unable to perform their roles
Other (Please describe)
Not sure
9. Comments
Please tell us anything else about your business's current situation relating to topics covered in this survey
- Comments
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