1. Survey information
These questions are for Wave 64 of the fortnightly Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS) dispatched on the 22nd of August 2022. 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 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
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 August 2022 compare with this calendar month last year?
Exported more
Exporting stayed the same
Exported less
Business was unable to export
Not sure
How did your business's cost of exporting in August 2022 compare with this calendar month last year?
Cost increased
Cost stayed the same
Cost decreased
Not sure
How did the time spent on exporting in August 2022 compare with this calendar month last year?
Time spent increased
Time spent stayed the same
Time spent decreased
Not sure
Did your business experience an increase in any of the following exporting challenges in August 2022, compared with the previous calendar month?
Additional paperwork
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
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
Not sure
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 August 2022 compare with this calendar month last year?
Imported more
Importing stayed the same
Imported less
Business was unable to import
Not sure
How did your business's cost of importing in August 2022 compare with this calendar month last year?
Cost increased
Cost stayed the same
Cost decreased
Not sure
How did the time spent on importing in August 2022 compare with this calendar month last year?
Time spent increased
Time spent stayed the same
Time spent decreased
Not sure
Did your business experience an increase in any of the following importing challenges in August 2022, compared with the previous calendar month?
Additional paperwork
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
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
Not sure
5. UKCA
Does your business manufacture, import, or distribute products that require either a CE marking or the new UKCA marking?
Yes, we manufacture products that need a CE or UKCA marking
Yes, we import products that need a CE or UKCA marking
Yes, we distribute products that need a CE or UKCA marking
Not sure
No, we do not manufacture, import or distribute products that need a CE or UKCA marking
Is your business aware that most CE marked products need to be UKCA marked from 1 January 2023?
Yes
No
Not sure
Is your business using, or intending to use, the UKCA marking by 1 January 2023?
Already using UKCA marking
Not aware of, or do not know how to meet, requirements for the UKCA
Not using the UKCA marking, but plan to by 1 January 2023
Will not use UKCA marking, as not relevant to our products or business
Not sure
6. Supply chains
Was your business able to get the materials, goods or services it needed from the EU in August 2022?
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 the materials, goods or services needed
Not applicable
Did your business experience any global supply chain disruption in August 2022?
Yes
No
Not sure
Not applicable
Are your business's electricity prices fixed or hedged?
Yes, expiring by 31 December 2022
Yes, expiring by 31 March 2023
Yes, expiring after 31 March 2023
No, electricity prices are variable
Not sure
Not applicable
Are your business's gas prices fixed or hedged?
Yes, expiring by 31 December 2022
Yes, expiring by 31 March 2023
Yes, expiring after 31 March 2023
No, gas prices are variable
Not sure
Not applicable
Which of the following, if any, will be the main concern for your business in October 2022?
Business rates
Competition
Energy prices
Exchange rates
Inflation of goods and services prices
Interest rates
Supply chain disruption
Taxation
Other
Not sure
No concerns for the business
7. Sending Goods to or From Northern Ireland
Has your business sent goods from GB to Northern Ireland in the last 12 months?
Yes
No
Not sure
In August 2022, 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 August 2022
- Comments
Has your business sent goods from Northern Ireland to GB in the last 12 months?
Yes
No
Not sure
In August 2022, how did the volume of goods your business sent from Northern Ireland to GB compare with the previous calendar month?
Volume increased
Volume stayed the same
Volume decreased
Stopped sending goods to GB
Not sure
Not applicable
Please give more details about why the volume of goods sent from Northern Ireland to GB changed in August 2022
- Comments
8. Operational Performance
In which of the following ways, if any, is your business currently improving its management practices?
Conducts experimental changes
Consults employees about potential improvements
Consults managers in other organisations about potential improvements
Hires management consultants
Reads management literature
Receives formal training in person
Receives formal training online
Other
Not sure
Not applicable
Business is not currently improving management practices
What is currently the main challenge for improving the way your business is managed?
Available information is not useful or tailored enough
Changes are too costly
Changes are too disruptive
Employees are resistant to change
Lack of time to find relevant information or plan changes
Other
Not sure
Business does not currently experience any challenges
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
Had to pause trading entirely
Had to pause trading of some of the business
Had to recruit temporary workers
Unable to meet demands
Other
Not sure
Business has not been affected
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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