3i / MORI survey of Key Independent Businesses in Britain

Britain's independent businessmen are increasingly opposed to a single European currency, according to the third annual 3i / MORI survey of Key Independent Businesses in Britain. Two in five owner-managers of these business are against it while three in ten are in favour. By contrast, a similar survey conducted in 1995 recorded an even split in opinion on this issue.

Over 80% of these businesses surveyed are exporters and most see the EU as presenting a major opportunity for their business (45%). While the majority (54%) oppose the introduction of the Social Chapter in Britain, almost four in five think that the introduction of a statutory minimum wage (set at £4/hr) will have no effect on their business.

In general, owner-managers are more optimistic than they were a year ago, despite concerns they have about the challenge of competitors (57%), economic volatility (38%), late payment by customers (31%) and the availability of skilled staff (29%).

These businesses are also more likely to exploit the Internet for business purposes than they were a year ago; use of the Internet has increased from 21% to 34% and it is more likely to be used for E-mail (from 78% to 89%) and as a means of promoting products (from 26% to 45%). However, they are less likely to use it as a source of information (from 72% to 63%).

Technical details

The results of the survey are based on 1,067 completed questionnaires returned to MORI between 19 November and 4 December 1996 among independent companies with a turnover between £1 million and £100 million.