Confidence among businesses has slumped to a 12-month low, according to Accenture and IHS Markit.
Inflation worries and fears that it could get harder to hire skilled staff are weighing on bosses.
Best foot forward: Inflation worries and fears that it could get harder to hire skilled staff are weighing on bosses
But the UK is still ahead of France and Germany – with only Irish companies saying they are more confident than those in Britain. Less than half – 45 per cent – of UK firms expect an increase in trade in the year ahead.
This is down from a high of 58 per cent in June, when unwinding lockdowns led to a surge in business.
Almost 60 per cent of companies are planning to raise their prices, the researchers said.
