Scottish Business Confidence Declines Sharply, Survey Finds – Scottish Business News

Business confidence in Scotland experienced a significant decline in November, dropping at a much faster rate than the UK average, according to the latest survey by Bank of Scotland. Despite this downturn, confidence levels remained positive overall, with businesses continuing to focus on growth through strategic investments.

The Bank of Scotland’s business barometer revealed that confidence among Scottish businesses fell by 13 points to 31% in November. This measure reflects the net balance of firms with a positive outlook against those with a negative one, on a scale from -100% to 100%.

While optimism about their own trading prospects dipped slightly by two points to 43%, Scottish firms’ confidence in the broader economy saw a more pronounced drop of 25 points to 18%. In comparison, overall UK business confidence decreased by three points to 41%, with firms’ confidence in their trading prospects rising slightly but economic optimism falling.

Looking forward, Scottish businesses have identified key areas for growth over the next six months. These include investing in team development through training (57%), evolving their product and service offerings (41%), and integrating new technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation (28%).

Martyn Kendrick, Scotland director at Bank of Scotland commercial banking, commented: “While business confidence has fallen this month, Scottish firms are identifying fresh avenues for growth – whether that’s by investing in new technology or developing new skills.”

The survey highlights both the challenges and opportunities facing Scottish businesses as they navigate an uncertain economic landscape while seeking to maintain a competitive edge through innovation and strategic investment.