Latest news with #Bharier
Fibre2Fashion
42 minutes ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Retail investor optimism in UK surges to 53%: BCC survey
Retail investor optimism in the UK has seen a significant rise, according to a new survey commissioned by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit. Conducted by Find Out Now following the Chancellor's Mansion House speech on July 15, the survey revealed a notable uptick in investor sentiment and potential momentum for economic growth. More than half (53 per cent) of retail investors expressed optimism about their investments over the next 12 months, up from 42 per cent in May. The findings reflect a promising shift in retail sentiment, with 40 per cent planning to increase their investment levels, and only 8 per cent expecting a decrease. Younger investors appear to be leading the trend. A striking 56 per cent of those aged 30–39, and 52 per cent of 18–29-year-olds, intend to invest more in the year ahead. These groups also show more diversified portfolios, with 28 per cent of 18–29-year-olds investing in cryptocurrencies compared to just 8 per cent of those aged 55-64. Additionally, over a third of younger investors check their portfolios multiple times a week, signalling high engagement. A BCC-commissioned survey showed UK retail investor optimism has surged to 53 per cent, up from 42 per cent in May. The poll highlighted strong interest in a proposed UK Growth ISA and increased investment plans, especially among younger investors. Over 2,500 platform users were surveyed, reflecting rising confidence and engagement in domestic equities. The research further highlighted strong interest in domestic investment opportunities. Over half (51 per cent) of respondents stated they would use a UK Growth ISA if introduced—a figure that jumps to 76 per cent among 18–29-year-olds. The UK growth ISA is one of the BCC's key policy recommendations to strengthen domestic markets. 'Retail investors alone will not resolve the structural challenges facing UK public equity markets and the wider economy. But they need to be part of the answer. Our research shows individual investors are increasingly optimistic, with many planning to increase their investments over the next 12 months. It's crucial that the government taps into this growing investor appetite,' said David Bharier, head of research at the BCC. Bharier emphasised the need for clear incentives to redirect investor attention from overseas markets to UK equities, suggesting that a new generation of investors is ready to back homegrown opportunities—if the ecosystem is made more supportive and accessible. 'With the FTSE 100 recently reaching a record-high, our survey results will be encouraging for the government as they try to get more people to invest in the stock market,' said Tyron Surmon, head of research at Find Out Now . 'Our survey found a significant boost in optimism among retail investors compared to earlier this year, and a majority of them saying they would be willing to get a 'UK Growth ISA' – they just need the government to take the first step.' The poll surveyed over 2,500 users of investment platforms, reflecting a broad cross-section of the UK's retail investment community. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
News Analysis: Britain's job market sliding under rising labor cost, U.S. tariff threat
LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Britain's job market continues to show clear signs of weakening, with unemployment rising and recruitment stagnating amid escalating labor costs and external economic pressures. Experts have warned that uncertainty stemming from U.S. tariffs is further exacerbating the situation. Data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday revealed that the country's unemployment rate for people aged 16 and over stood at 4.7 percent during the March-May period of 2025. This marks a notable increase both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, pushing the rate to its highest level in nearly four years. The ONS figures also showed job vacancies climbing to new highs, indicating that despite a growing number of unemployed individuals, businesses are still struggling to fill positions. "The government's tax rises, a higher minimum wage and the U.S. trade war are hitting the jobs market," Financial Times reported. David Bharier, head of research at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), told Xinhua that steep increases in national insurance contributions and the national living wage weigh heavily on the latest employment data. "BCC research shows that recruitment remains challenging, and businesses cite labor costs as the biggest pressure," Bharier said. "This mounting financial pressure, alongside pervasive skills shortages, remains a massive challenge for business, presenting big risks to investment and productivity." According to Bharier, the BCC's most recent economic forecast suggests hiring will remain subdued and the unemployment rate is expected to stay largely static. "We currently forecast a rate of 4.6 percent at the end of 2027," he said. Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), stressed that the latest trends paint a worrying picture for Britain's small business sector. "New FSB research has found that twice as many small businesses shed staff in the second quarter of 2025-20 percent-than increased their employee numbers," she said. For the first time in the 15-year history of the FSB's quarterly Small Business Index, more small businesses expect to shrink or close over the next 12 months than those that expect to expand. "That's more than alarming for the economy and for communities across Britain where these hard-working businesses operate," she said, noting that small businesses currently provide more than 16 million jobs in Britain-over half of all private sector employment. Experts also believe the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs is contributing to the negative data and will continue to influence Britain's job market and economy in the long term, despite the existence of a trade agreement. William Bain, head of policy at the BCC, said their April survey revealed that 62 percent of firms exporting to the U.S. had been affected by rising costs and order book pressures caused by higher U.S. tariffs, a sentiment that aligns with the rising unemployment figures reported by the ONS. David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham, noted that U.S. tariffs are impacting Britain's export-driven sectors and, in turn, the job market. "Even though Britain has got this deal with Trump on tariffs, the tariffs are still going up from 2.5 percent to 10 percent. It may not be 25 percent, but it's still going to affect exports from Britain and therefore hit economic growth," Bailey said, adding that this uncertainty for British firms, combined with the government's "mistake" of raising national insurance contributions alongside the higher minimum wage, has contributed to the sluggish employment situation.
