1. Survey information
These questions are for wave 30 of the fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) dispatched on the 4th of May. These are the most up-to-date survey questions.
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys2. 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 with 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?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
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
Has your business exported goods or services in the last 12 months?
Yes
No
Not sure
Which of the following best describes your business's exporting status?
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
Where has your business exported goods or services to in the last two weeks?
EU only
Non-EU only
Both EU and non-EU
Never 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
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
Lack of hauliers to transport goods or lack of logistics equipment
Reduced demand for products and services
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?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
End of the EU transition period
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 benefitted from, to help with exporting challenges?
Customs and tariffs
Export licences
Financial support
Finding new markets
Finding new overseas contacts or customers
Legal issues
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
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
My 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
Not sure
5. Importing
Has your business imported goods or services in the last 12 months?
Yes
No
Not sure
Did your business import goods or services more than 12 months ago?
Yes
No
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
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
Lack of hauliers to transport goods or lack of logistics equipment
Suppliers not continuing to trade
Suppliers not customs ready
Other
Did not experience any challenges with importing
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
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?
Understanding markets and demand issues
Finding new alternative supply chains
Finding new overseas contacts or customers
Transport and distribution
Legal issues
Customs and tariffs
Import licences
Other
None of the above
Let us know anything else that will help us understand your business's importing in the last two weeks
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys6. 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 crossings
Increasing the diversity in suppliers
Expanding to different modes of freight
Other
Not sure
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
Not sure
No extra costs
Was your business able to get the materials, goods 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 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
7. Prices of materials, goods and services
How did the prices of materials, goods or services bought by your business change in the last two weeks, compared with normal price fluctuations?
Prices increased more than normal
Prices did not change any more than normal
Prices decreased more than normal
Some prices increased, some prices decreased
Not sure
Not applicable
Please give more details about the prices of materials, goods or services that changed
How did the prices of goods or services sold by your business change in the last two weeks, compared with normal fluctuations?
Prices increased more than normal
Prices did not change any more than normal
Prices decreased more than normal
Some prices increased, some prices decreased
Not sure
Not applicable
Please give more details about how prices changed
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys8. Sending goods to or from Northern Ireland
Has your business sent goods from Great Britain (GB) to Northern Ireland in the last 12 months?
Yes
No
Not sure
What route did your business mainly use over the last 12 months, to send goods from GB to Northern Ireland?
From GB direct to Northern Ireland
From GB via Republic of Ireland
Other
Not sure
Has your busines sent, or intended to send, goods from GB to Northern Ireland in the last two weeks?
Yes
No
Not sure
In the last two weeks, has the volume of goods your business would normally send from GB to Northern Ireland changed?
Volume has increased
Volume has stayed the same
Volume has decreased
Have stopped sending goods to Northern Ireland
Not sure
Not applicable
What were the reasons for this change in the volume of goods sent from GB to Northern Ireland?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Decreased demand for goods
Increased costs
Increased delays
Other
Not sure
None of the above
Has your business changed the main route for sending goods from GB to Northern Ireland in the last two weeks?
Changed to go via Republic of Ireland
Changed to go direct to Northern Ireland
No change made
Not sure
What were the reasons for this change in route?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Increased costs
Increased delays
Other
Not sure
Route has not been affected
Has your business sent goods from Northern Ireland to GB in the last 12 months?
Yes
No
Not sure
Has your business sent, or intended to send, goods from Northern Ireland to GB in the last two weeks?
Yes
No
Not sure
In the last two weeks, has the volume of goods your business would normally send from Northern Ireland to GB changed?
Volume has increased
Volume has stayed the same
Volume has decreased
Have stopped sending goods to GB
Not sure
Not applicable
What were the reasons for this change in the volume of goods sent from Northern Ireland to GB?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Decreased demand for goods
Increased costs
Increased delays
Other
Not sure
None of the above
9. 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
Are you using, or intending to use, either of the following schemes?
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)
Kickstart Job Scheme for young people
Recovery Loan Scheme
Not sure
Not using, or intending to use, either of these schemes
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
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
10. Operational Performance
In the last two weeks, approximately what percentage of your business's workforce were:
On partial or full furlough leave
Working at their normal place of work
Working from home instead of at their normal place of work
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 to the normal workplace
Moved from the normal workplace to homeworking
Returned from furlough to homeworking, either fully or partially
Returned from furlough to the normal workplace, either fully or partially
Moved from working to furlough, either fully or partially
In the next two weeks, approximately what percentage of your workforce will:
Moved from working to furlough, either fully or partially
Return from furlough to homeworking, either fully or partially
Return from furlough to the normal workplace, either fully or partially
Return to the workplace from homeworking
Is your business using, or intending to use, any of the following safety measures in the workplace?
Adjusted working practices
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations
Hygiene measures
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Social distancing
Temperature checks
Other
Not sure
None of the above
Is your business providing regular coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for its workforce?
Yes
No
Not sure
What percentage of your workforce are receiving regular coronavirus (COVID-19) testing?
Approximate percentage of your workforce receiving regular testing
Not sure
Is your business intending to permanently close any business sites in the next three months?
Yes
No
Not sure
Where in the UK are the sites that will permanently close in the next three months?
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
How do you expect closing these sites to affect your workforce?
Decreased hours
Increased hours
Move to remote working
Permanent redundancies
Relocation
Other
Not sure
Workforce will not be affected
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
When do you expect these redundancies to happen?
Within the next 2 weeks
Between 2 weeks and 1 month
Between 1 and 3 months
Not sure
Why is your business making these redundancies?
Automation
Business is closing or insolvent
Certain job roles are no longer required
Change in management
Reducing staff costs
Relocation of the business
Site closures
Other
Not sure
Prefer not to say
Which, if any, of the following skills have you experienced an increase in demand for in the last 12 months?
Advanced digital skills
Basic digital skills
Management or leadership skills
Soft skills
Other
None of the above
11. Contact tracing
Is your business collecting, or intending to collect, contact details for the purpose of contact tracing at your sites?
Yes
No
Not sure
Not applicable
Which of the following methods is your business using, or intending to use, to collect details for contact tracing?
Advanced booking systems
Commercial QR codes
Digital records
Paper records
Official NHS QR code posters
Other
Not sure
Why is your business not intending to collect details for contact tracing?
Not relevant to my business
Not a legal requirement for my industry
Not enough people use the NHS COVID-19 app
Our business does not want to take part
Unsure of how the data is used or stored
Other
Not sure
Which of the following would encourage your business to use the NHS COVID-19 app QR code posters?
Greater understanding of how data is used or stored
Displaying an NHS QR code poster was a legal requirement for my industry
Increased use of the NHS COVID-19 app
More detailed materials outlining use of QR code
More information provided to our business
More support from local authorities and public health teams
Other
Not sure
None of the above
Has your business received any support from your local public health team or local authority in relation to the NHS COVID-19 app QR code posters?
Yes
No
Not sure
12. Comments
Please tell us anything else that may help us understand your business's current situation relating to topics covered in this survey