WIREDGOV

London businesses are more optimistic than six months ago about the prospects for the economy and for their own companies, but anxiety about the Eurozone crisis is curbing hiring and investment plans.

Encouragingly in the latest CBI / KPMG London Business Survey of 264 companies, 41% of respondents say they feel more optimistic about the prospects for the economy over the next six months, a sharp rise from the December survey (13%). Just under half (47%) of London firms say they feel more positive about their own six-month business prospects, up from 31% in December.

But this rise in optimism is tempered by concerns over the ongoing Eurozone crisis. The number of employers now freezing their recruitment has more than doubled to 51%, from 23% six months ago, with only 16% now hiring as normal, compared with 54% in the December survey, and the lowest figure for 18 months.

In general, investment intentions in all categories have not reached the level they were at in mid-2010. A quarter of companies (24%) plan to decrease their investment in IT, equipment, plant and machinery over the next six months, or make no investments at all in this area.

Sara Parker, CBI London region director, said:

“In this milestone year for London, it’s great to see that the capital’s firms are more optimistic than six months ago, but the shadow cast by the Eurozone crisis continues hang over businesses and the economy.

“Increased Eurozone anxiety means employers are reluctant to invest, take on new people or expand their businesses.”

The number of firms rating London as a good place to do business has risen to 86% from 83% six months ago. For small and medium-sized companies the increase is even greater from 74% in December to 81% in this survey. At the same time the number of respondents who believe that London’s position as a good place to do business will be at least the same or will have improved in five years has increased from 78% to 83%, the highest percentage since December 2006 (88%).

Companies highlighted the same strengths and weaknesses of doing business in the capital as six months ago – the top three strengths highlighted were the access to global markets; the skills and talent pool; and the proximity to customers and clients. London three major perceived weaknesses were:

1. Overall operating costs
2. Transport
3. Tax environment.

There have been relative improvements across all transport modes in the last six months, but the roads continue to be the exception, with half of respondents saying that the road network has deteriorated (up from 47% in December). The Tube continues to show the biggest improvement, with 42% of firms saying that it is improving, up from 36% six months ago and 20% a year ago.

Companies were asked to rank solutions for improving London’s transport links, and the results were:

1)    Increase rail capacity and connections

2)    Expand Heathrow

3)    Make existing airports more effective

4)    Increase road capacity and connections

5)    A new airport in the Thames Estuary.

Richard Reid, London Chairman of KPMG, said:

“It’s encouraging that the number of London companies rating the capital as a good place to do business has increased from six months ago, especially among smaller firms. The ease of access to global markets, talent pool and proximity to customers are factors which consistently impress companies based in the capital.

“Generally businesses are happier with transport in London, improvements on the tube are very welcome and many large rail projects are already underway – which will all enhance the ability to do business in our domestic markets.  However, it is very apparent that in the battle to do business with international markets our lack of air capacity in the South East is likely to seriously undermine our position as a leading global centre.”

Sara Parker added:

“Rebalancing our economy will require UK companies to successfully compete for business in high-growth markets, like Asia and Latin America, but at the moment there are not enough direct flights to some of these countries.

“That’s why we urgently need the Government to address the issue of airport capacity in the south-east and look at how we can secure the UK’s hub status for the future.”

A link to the CBI/KPMG London Business Survey is below.

Notes to Editors:

The CBI/KPMG London Business Survey is conducted twice a year to monitor the views of business on London as a place to do business. 264 businesses took part, and the survey was conducted between 29 March and 1 May.

The CBI is the UK's leading business organisation, speaking for some 240,000 businesses that together employ around a third of the private sector workforce. With offices across the UK as well as representation in Brussels, Washington, Beijing and Delhi the CBI communicates the British business voice around the world.

KPMG is the global network of professional services firms of KPMG international, whose member firms provide audit, tax and advisory services. KPMG LLP (UK) operates from over 22 offices across the UK with nearly 10,000 partners and staff. KPMG works with business around the UK ranging from FTSE 100 to middle-market companies

Download "London Business Survey 19 June 2012" (1,007kb)