1. Survey information
These questions are for Wave 39 of the fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) dispatched on the 6th September. These are the most up-to-date survey questions.
Back to table of contents2. Trading status of your business
Which of the following statements best describes your business's trading status?
Currently trading and have been for more than the last two weeks
Started trading within the last two weeks after a pause in 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 business's sites located?
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
Not applicable
Where in the UK are your sites temporarily or permanently closed?
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
None of our sites are temporarily or permanently closed
3. Turnover and profits
How does your business's turnover for the last two weeks, compare to normal expectations for this time of year?
Turnover has increased by more than 50%
Turnover has increased between 20% and 50%
Turnover has increased by up to 20%
Turnover has not been affected
Turnover has decreased by up to 20%
Turnover has decreased between 20% and 50%
Turnover has decreased by more than 50%
Not sure
What was the main reason for this change to your business's turnover in the last two weeks?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the end of the EU transition period
Other
Not sure
What are your expectations about turnover for the next two weeks?
Expect turnover to substantially increase
Expect turnover to increase a little
Expect turnover to stay the same
Expect turnover to decrease a little
Expect turnover to substantially decrease
Not sure
In the last two weeks, how has your business's profits compared with normal expectations for this time of year?
Profits have increased by more than 50%
Profits have increased by between 20% and 50%
Profits have increased by up to 20%
Profits have stayed the same
Profits have decreased by up to 20%
Profits have decreased by between 20% and 50%
Profits have decreased by more than 50%
Not sure
Not applicable
4. Exporting
Which of the following best describes your business's exporting status?
Exported in the last 12 months
Exported more than 12 months ago
Never exported and do not have goods or services suitable for export
Never exported but have goods or services that could be developed for export
Not sure
Has your business exported goods or services in the last 12 months?
Exported goods only
Exported services only
Exported both goods and services
Not sure
Where has your business exported goods or services to in the last two weeks?
EU only
Non-EU only
Both EU and non-EU
Not exported in the last two weeks
Not sure
Have you changed where you have exported your goods or services to in the last two weeks?
Changed from EU to non-EU
Changed from non-EU to EU
Changed in a different way
No changes made
Not sure
How does your business's exporting in the last two weeks compare to normal expectations for this time of year?
Exporting more than normal
Exporting as normal
Exporting, but less than normal
Not been able to export in the last two weeks
Not sure
How does the cost of exporting in the last two weeks compare with normal expectations for this time of year?
Cost has increased
Cost has stayed the same
Cost has decreased
Not exported in the last month
Not sure
How does the time spent on exporting in the last two weeks compare with normal expectations for this time of year?
Time spent has increased
Time spent has stayed the same
Time spent has decreased
Not sure
Have you experienced any of the following challenges with exporting goods or services in the last two weeks?
Additional paperwork
Basing some staff in an EU member state to be allowed to work
Change in transportation costs
Closure of infrastructure used to export goods or services
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
Did not experience any challenges with exporting
What was the main cause of these exporting challenges?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the end of the EU transition period
Other
Not sure
How much disruption to your business have these challenges caused?
Severe disruption
Moderate disruption
Low disruption
No disruption
Not sure
Which of the following support options has your business benefited from, to help with exporting challenges?
Customs and tariffs
Export licences
Financial support
Finding new markets
Finding new overseas contacts or customers
Information on exporting
Legal support
Transport and distribution
Understanding markets and demand issues
Other
None of the above
Let us know anything else that will help us understand your business's exporting in the last two weeks.
What are your expectations about your business's sales from exports in the next 12 months?
Export sales will substantially increase
Export sales will increase a little
Export sales will stay the same
Export sales will decrease a little
Export sales will substantially decrease
Not sure
5. Importing
Which of the following best describes your business's importing status?
Imported in the last 12 months
Imported more than 12 months ago
Never imported
Not sure
Has your business imported goods or services in the last 12 months?
Imported goods only
Imported services only
Imported both goods and services
Not sure
Where has your business imported goods or services from in the last two weeks?
EU only
Non-EU only
Both EU and non-EU
Not imported in the last two weeks
Not sure
Have you changed where you have sourced your imports of goods or services from in the last two weeks?
Changed from EU to non-EU suppliers
Changed from non-EU to EU suppliers
Changed in a different way
No changes made
Not sure
How does your business's importing in the last two weeks compare to normal expectations for this time of year?
Importing more than normal
Importing as normal
Importing, but less than normal
Not been able to import in the last two weeks
Not sure
How does the cost of importing in the last two weeks compare with normal expectations for this time of year?
Cost has increased
Cost has stayed the same
Cost has decreased
Not sure
How does the time spent on importing in the last two weeks compare with normal expectations for this time of year?
Time spent has increased
Time spent has stayed the same
Time spent has decreased
Not sure
Have you experienced any of the following challenges with importing over the last two weeks?
Additional paperwork
Change in transportation costs
Closure of infrastructure used to import goods or services
Customs duties or levies
Destination countries changing their border restrictions
Disruption at UK borders
Finding information on how to import
Lack of hauliers to transport goods or lack of logistics equipment
Suppliers not continuing to trade
Suppliers not customs ready
Time taken for checks at the border
Other
Did not experience any challenges with importing
What was the main cause of these importing challenges?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the end of the EU transition period
Other
Not sure
How much disruption to your business have these challenges caused?
Severe disruption
Moderate disruption
Low disruption
No disruption
Not sure
Which of the following support options would your business benefit from, to help with importing challenges?
Customs and tariffs
Finding new alternative supply chains
Finding new overseas contacts or customers
Import licences
Information on importing
Legal support
Transport and distribution
Understanding markets and demand issues
Other
None of the above
Let us know anything else that will help us understand your business's importing in the last two weeks.
Back to table of contents6. Supply chains
Has your business made changes to supply chains due to the end of the EU transition period?
Yes
No
Not sure
Not applicable
Were these changes to supply chains made as a result of a new UK trade agreement?
Yes
No
Not sure
In which of the following ways has your business changed supply chains due to the end of the EU transition period?
Using more UK suppliers
Using more EU suppliers
Using more non-EU suppliers
Moving the supply chain away from the short straits crossing
Increasing the diversity in suppliers
Expanding to different models of freight
Other
Not sure
Has your business had any extra cost 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
Not sure
No extra costs
Was your business able to get the materials, good or services it needed from the EU in the last two weeks?
Yes, the business has been 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 has not been able to get the materials, goods or services needed
Not applicable
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, good or services it needed from within the UK in the last two weeks?
Yes, the business has been able to get the materials, goods or services it needed
Yes, but the business had to change the suppliers or find alternative solutions
No, the business has not been able to get the materials, goods or services needed
Not applicable
7. Stock and capital expenditure
How do your business's stock levels for the last two weeks, compare to normal expectations for this time of year?
Stock levels are higher than normal
Stock levels have not changed
Stock levels are lower than normal
Not sure
Not applicable
In the last two weeks, what has had the greatest impact to your business's stock levels?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the end of the EU transition period
Other
Not sure
Please explain this difference in stock levels in more detail.
Is your business stockpiling any goods or materials?
Yes
No
Not sure
How does your business's capital expenditure for the last two weeks compare to normal expectations for this time of year?
Capital expenditure is higher than normal
Capital expenditure has not been affected
Capital expenditure is lower than normal
Capital expenditure has stopped
Not sure
Not applicable
What was the main reason for this change in your business's capital expenditure?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
Super-deduction
Other
Not sure
Please explain in more detail how your business's capital expenditure has been affected.
Over the last month, has your business scrapped any capital assets earlier than intended?
Yes
No
Not sure
Not applicable
Please explain in more detail what type of assets your business scrapped early and why.
Back to table of contents8. Access to financial support
Has your business applied for any of the following grants?
Local Restrictions Support Grant - England
Local Restrictions Support Scheme - Northern Ireland
Strategic Framework Business Fund - Scotland
Lockdown Business Fund - Wales
Not sure
Not applied for any of these grants
Has your business received any of the following grants?
Local Restrictions Support Grant - England
Local Restrictions Support Scheme - Northern Ireland
Strategic Framework Business Fund - Scotland
Lockdown Business Fund - Wales
Not sure
Not received any of these grants
Has your business received any of these other grants?
Small business grant
Sector-specific grant
Tradeshow access grant
Additional Restriction Grant - England
Business Contingency Fund Grants - Scotland
Business Development Grant - Wales
Business Restart Grant - Scotland
Not sure
Not received any of these grants
Which governments in the UK provided the small business grant, or grants?
Northern Ireland Executive
Scottish Government
UK Government - England only
Welsh Government
Not sure
Which governments in the UK provided the sector-specific grant, or grants?
Northern Ireland Executive
Scottish Government
UK Government - England only
Welsh Government
Not sure
Has your business received any government-backed loans or finance agreements during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic?
Yes
No
Not sure
Is your business using, or intending to use, any of the following schemes or incentives?
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
Kickstart Job Scheme for young people
Recovery Loan Scheme
Super-deduction
Not sure
Not using, or intending to use, any of these schemes or incentives
Did the support received from any of the initiatives or schemes help your business to continue trading?
Yes, it helped us to continue trading
No, it did not impact our ability to continue trading
Not sure
How long do you think your business's cash reserves will last?
No cash reserves
Less than 1 month
1 to 3 months
4 to 6 months
More than 6 months
Not sure
How much confidence does your business have that it will survive the next three months?
High confidence
Moderate confidence
Low confidence
No confidence
Not sure
Over the last month, how did your business's debt repayments compare with turnover?
Repayments were more than 100% of turnover
Repayments were between 50% and 100% of turnover
Repayments were between 20% and 50% of turnover
Repayments were up to 20% of turnover
No repayments
Not sure
Over the last month, how did your business's debt repayments compare with normal expectations for this time of year?
Repayments have increased by more than 50%
Repayments have increased by between 20% and 50%
Repayments have increased by up to 20%
Repayments have stayed the same
Repayments have decreased by up to 20%
Repayments have decreased by between 20% and 50%
Repayments have decreased by more than 50%
Not sure
Over the next month, how do you expect your business's debt repayments to change?
Expect repayments to substantially increase
Expect repayments to increase a little
Expect repayments to stay the same
Expect repayments to decrease a little
Expect repayments to substantially decrease
Not sure
Not applicable
How much confidence does your business have that it will meet its debt obligations?
High confidence
Moderate confidence
Low confidence
No confidence
Not sure
What is your business's risk of insolvency?
Severe risk
Moderate risk
Low risk
No risk
The business is insolvent
Not sure
How has your business's risk of insolvency changed in the last two weeks?
Risk has increased
Risk has stayed the same
Risk has decreased
Not sure
9. Operational performance
In the last two weeks, approximately what percentage of your business's workforce were:
On partial or full furlough leave
Mainly working at the same place they were working before the pandemic
Mainly working from home, instead of where they were working before the pandemic
On sick leave or not working due to coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, self-isolation or quarantine
Made permanently redundant
Other
Of those partially and fully furloughed, what percentage are fully furloughed?
Approximate percentage of furloughed staff who are 'fully furloughed'
Not sure
In the last two weeks, approximately what percentage of your workforce have:
Moved from homeworking, back fully to where they were working before the pandemic
Moved from fully homeworking to a hybrid model of working
Moved from full or partial furlough to a hybrid model of working
Moved from full or partial furlough to fully working from home
Moved from full or partial furlough, back fully to where they were working before the pandemic
In the next two weeks, approximately what percentage of your workforce will:
Move from homeworking, back fully to where they were working before the pandemic
Move from fully homeworking to a hybrid model of working
Move from full or partial furlough to a hybrid model of working
Move from full or partial furlough to fully working from home
Move from full or partial furlough, back fully to where they were working before the pandemic
Does your business intend to use increased homeworking as a permanent business model going forward?
Yes
No
Not sure
Why do you intend to use increased homeworking as a permanent business model going forward?
Ability to better match jobs to skills
Ability to recruit from a wider geographical pool internationally
Ability to recruit from a wider geographical pool in the UK
Improved staff wellbeing
Increased productivity
Reduced carbon emissions
Reduced overheads
Reduced sickness absence
Reduced wage bill
Other
Not sure
When do you expect your workforce to return to their normal place of work?
Within the next month
Between 1 and 3 months
Between 4 and 6 months
More than 6 months
Workplace already returned to their normal place of work
Not expecting workforce to return to their normal place of work
Not sure
Not applicable
What percentage of your workforce do you expect to return to their normal place of work in the time period you selected?
Above 75% of the workforce
Between 50-75% of the workforce
Between 25-49% of the workforce
Less than 25% of the workforce
Not sure
What is your business's main consideration when deciding who can return to their normal place of work?
Business need only
Employee preference only
Both business need and employee preference
Other
Not sure
Prefer not to say
Does your business expect to make any of your workforce redundant over the next three months?
Yes
No
Not sure
Approximately what percentage of your workforce do you expect to be made redundant over the next three months?
Approximate percentage of redundancies in the next three months
Not sure
10. Comments
Please tell us anything else about your business's current situation relating to topics covered in this survey