1. Survey information

These questions are for Wave 101 of the fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) dispatched on 22 January 2024.

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2. 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

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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 

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 three months? 

  • EU only 

  • Non-EU only 

  • Both EU and non-EU  

  • Not exported in the last three months 

  • Not sure  

Has your business had any extra costs directly related to changes in export regulations due to the end of the EU transition period? 

  • Costs increased but are now stable 

  • Costs increased and are still increasing 

  • Costs were stable but are now increasing 

  • No cost increases experienced at any point 

  • Not sure 

How did your business's exporting in December 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 December 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 

Which of the following support options has your business benefitted 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 (Please describe) 

  • None of the above

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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 

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 three months? 

  • EU only 

  • Non-EU only 

  • Both EU and non-EU  

  • Not imported in the last three months 

  • Not sure  

Has your business had any extra costs directly related to changes in import regulations due to the end of the EU transition period? 

  • Costs increased but are now stable 

  • Costs increased and are still increasing 

  • Costs were stable but are now increasing 

  • No cost increases experienced at any point 

  • Not sure 

How did your business's importing in December 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 December 2023, compared with the previous calendar month? 

  • Additional paperwork 

  • Change in exchange rates 

  • Change in transportation costs 

  • Customs 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 

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 (Please describe)

  • None of the above

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5. Supply Chains

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 December 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 

Did your business experience any global supply chain disruption in December 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 and carriers 

  • Shortage of materials 

  • UK exiting the EU 

  • Other transportation issues 

  • Other (Please describe) 

  • Not sure

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7. Workforce characteristics

How has the number of workers from within the EU at your business in December 2023 changed compared with this calendar month last year? 

  • Number of workers from within the EU has increased  

  • The business employs workers from within the EU, and the number has stayed the same  

  • Number of workers from within the EU has decreased  

  • Not relevant, as have not employed workers from within the EU  

  • Not sure  

  • Prefer not to say 

How has the number of workers from outside the EU at your business in December 2023 changed compared with this calendar month last year? 

  • Number of workers from outside the EU has increased  

  • The business employs workers from outside the EU, and the number has stayed the same  

  • Number of workers from outside the EU has decreased 

  • Not relevant, as have not employed workers from outside the EU  

  • Not sure  

  • Prefer not to say

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8. Industrial action

Was your business affected by industrial action in December 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 December 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

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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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Manylion cyswllt ar gyfer y Erthygl

Gemma Rabaiotti
bics@ons.gov.uk
Ffôn: +44 1633 455 592