The Economy Update
Latest news
Since 1978 we've asked the public if they think the general economic condition of the country will improve, stay the same or get worse over the next 12 months - providing 47 years of data about Briton's economic confidence.
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These findings are taken from a survey measuring the political and economic attitudes of UK businesses, running quarterly through the Ipsos Business Omnibus.
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Case studies
SME Finance Monitor
Established in 2011, the SME Finance Monitor, commissioned by UK Finance, is the definitive source of insight into how small and medium-sized businesses in the UK view, use and experience finance. It tracks their access to funding, growth ambitions and business performance through shifting economic conditions, from the aftermath of the last recession, to Brexit, Covid-19 and the more recent economic challenges that have faced the UK.
As one of the most comprehensive and authoritative data sets of its kind, the SME Finance Monitor enables analysis by size, sector, region and a wide range of other factors. Its findings, regularly cited by government, banks and industry bodies, offer an unparalleled view of SME sentiment and behaviour, how these evolve over time and the role of finance in driving growth and innovation.
Advanced Propulsion Centre Impact Evaluation
Ipsos in the UK were commissioned by the Department for Business and Trade to undertake an impact evaluation of the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), a programme established to accelerate the development of low-carbon and zero-emission vehicle technologies in the UK automotive sector.
AI Skills in Work and Life
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) commissioned the AI Skills for Life and Work research programme. The project sought to understand the AI skills needed by individuals, employers and the wider workforce, and to identify how the UK can build the capabilities required to support economic growth, productivity and inclusive participation in an increasingly AI-enabled society.
Electrical Vehicle (EV) Tracker
The Department for Transport (DfT) commissioned Ipsos to conduct the Electrical Vehicle (EV) Driver Tracker, a survey research programme designed to build a detailed understanding of real-world battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) ownership, charging behaviour and travel patterns.
Consultation on the Land Use Framework for England
Ipsos in the UK were commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to design and deliver a large-scale consultation programme between January and April 2025. Our role encompassed both the delivery of stakeholder and public engagement activities and the analysis of consultation responses submitted through the formal consultation process. This included analysing more than 7,000 consultation responses, alongside evidence gathered through deliberative workshops and focus groups conducted across England, to provide Defra with a comprehensive understanding of stakeholder and public views on land use change.
Explore our teams' portfolios for more relevant data and research
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Trade, Innovation and Enterprise
We work to understand how businesses, government and the public interact, and shape these relationships with our trusted research and policy evaluation.
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Transport and Infrastructure
We help our clients to make evidence-based decisions in transport, mobility and infrastructure, through social and behavioural research and policy evaluation.
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Energy and Environment
We support the transition to Net Zero, climate resilience, nature recovery and a circular economy through trusted research, insightful analysis and expert evaluation.
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