Business

Consumers in the South West prefer to do business with businesses employing apprentices, a new report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) has revealed. The Benefits of Apprenticeships to Businesses study finds that offering apprenticeships were perceived by three quarters of consumers in the South West as contributing to society and providing opportunities for young people, with 5 million consumers nationwide more likely to make a purchase from an apprentice employer. More than one in four consumers in the South West say they would go as far as even paying more for...

The jobs market in the South West has fallen this quarter but remains firmly in positive territory at +6%, according to Manpower, the world’s workforce experts.

This Outlook is in line with the UK national average and puts the South West on a steady course after a couple of quarters of ups and downs in hiring intentions.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is based on responses from 2,100 UK employers. It asks whether employers intend to hire additional workers or reduce the size of their workforce in the coming quarter. It is the most comprehensive, forward-looking...

Regus, the leading workspace provider, is offering free Business Lounge access to anybody buying a raffle ticket in support of three UK charities.

Tickets are available from any of Regus’ 300+ UK locations, and customers purchasing tickets at centres with a Business Lounge will be able to use the facility free of charge.

The raffle aims to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, Debra and the Hilton in the community Foundation.

For the price of a £1 ticket, buyers have the opportunity to work in a Regus Business Lounge for a day – modern, comfortable, well-...

PMI® survey data signalled a loss of momentum in the South West private sector economy in February, with new business rising at the slowest rate since May 2013. Output growth moderated, and backlogs declined for the first time since last August. That said, firms continued to expand workforces during the month, and raised their charges at the strongest rate since last June.

The seasonally adjusted Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking South West Business Activity Index lost the ground gained at the start of the year in February, falling to 54.8 from 58.0 in January. That signalled the...