Business News Round Up (29/04/2021)
Report: 1 million full fibre UK jobs boost
Findings in a report conducted by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) show that the nationwide rollout of Full Fibre broadband could bring up to a million people back into the UK workforce – helping get the economy back on track. Previous Cebr research, commissioned by digital infrastructure Openreach, suggested that as many as 400,000 people could return to the workforce with Full Fibre available across the UK, but latest research suggests that more than double that number could actually benefit from the ultrafast broadband technology. The combined effects of the pandemic and a nationwide rollout of Full Fibre could also see nearly two million more people working mainly at home – compared to 2019 numbers. Before the pandemic, a gradual move towards home working was under way, supported by the UK’s improving digital infrastructure and slowly changing individual and corporate attitudes towards remote working.
Increased optimism shared amongst Scottish businesses – according to new survey
As restrictions start to ease and the wider economy re-opens across Scotland, a survey published today highlights that business sentiment has improved since the last quarter of 2020.
The latest Addleshaw Goddard Business Monitor report – produced in partnership with the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute – indicates that firms are more optimistic about their expected volume of business over the next six months with employment also expected to increase. Following a survey conducted among more than 500 Scottish firms, almost 90% are confident that their chance of survival over the next six months is somewhat or very likely. The outlook for economic growth has also improved with 25% expecting a positive 12 months. However, Brexit has created a negative impact on trading for nearly two-thirds (64%) of businesses which trade with the EU, with only three per cent reporting an increase in activity since the end of the UK’s transition period.
UK demand for temporary workers surges in March quarter as the economic outlook improves
Employers’ intentions to hire temporary agency workers jumped in the three months to March as UK governments started to lift lockdown measures, according to the latest JobsOutlook report from the Recruitment & Employment Confederation. The report indicates that hiring intentions for temporary agency workers in both the short (net: +19) and medium (net: +23) term rose to the highest since mid-2018. Employers’ intentions to hire permanent staff in the short term (in the next three months) remained stable at net: +20. At the same time, restrictions began to ease during the quarter and business confidence in the UK economy improved significantly in the three months to March. The level of confidence rose by 14% from the previous rolling quarter, although it remained relatively low at net: -36. With the vaccine programme rollout well on the way and businesses gearing up to re-open, the single month number for March surged to net: -8, suggesting this recovery will continue.
Scottish tourist survey warning over struggling attractions
Many of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions are unable to fully re-open due to continuing restrictions and the need to make cost savings.A survey has laid bare the devastating impact of the pandemic on the country’s historic venues, art galleries and heritage sites, which contribute £11 billion to the Scottish economy. One in eight sites said they will be forced to remain closed for all of 2021 without further easing of coronavirus restrictions, such as social distancing, while smaller attractions, many of which are staffed by older volunteers, are at risk of shutting for good.Tourism experts said with the risk of a possible third wave of Covid and further lockdowns, many operators will be facing “real problems”.Two-thirds of Scottish attractions due to open this week expect to operate with either reduced hours, some facilities closed, or at weekends only to keep costs down. They include ticketed landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle – which saw visitor numbers plummet by 87.2% last year – Linlithgow Palace, and free attractions such as the V&A Dundee and House for an Art Lover in Glasgow.
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19266078.scottish-tourist-survey-warning-struggling-attractions/