In July 2021, Buckinghamshire businesses highlighted the following issues and trends to Buckinghamshire Business First business advisors..
- Staff having to self-isolate either due to catching Covid or having been identified as a close contact of someone who has
- Recruitment difficulties. This is due to: a surge in recruitment meaning that many employers are recruiting at the same time; a reduction in the availability of overseas workers (due to Covid-19 travel restrictions and post-Brexit immigration rules); a reduced number of students entering the labour market; reluctance amongst some to take up opportunities in Covid-19 high risk sectors; and on-going mismatches between the labour needs of local employers and the skills and aspirations of residents.
- A lack of availability and inflated cost of construction materials
- Supply chain issues, particularly within the food and drink sector, as a result of export and health certificates requires when trading with EU countries. Some report difficulties importing from China.
- Some businesses have reported increased trading with non EU countries, and increased use of UK businesses within supply chains.
BBF use this intelligence to inform local business support activity, and share it with central Government (BEIS) on a weekly basis to inform national strategy.
