Small Scottish firms’ confidence dips below UK average, index shows

Confidence among small Scottish firms dipped below the UK average in the third quarter of the year.

However, industry body FSB’s latest Voice of Small Business Index showed optimism levels had fallen sharply but remained firmly in positive territory at +26 for the period. The UK as a whole produced a measure of +41.

“Scottish small business confidence has been on a broadly upward trajectory and we need to remember that we’re still in positive territory,” FSB Scottish policy convener Andy Willox said.

“While Wales and some English regions saw similar dips, we need to understand if this fall is a one-off blip or marks the start of a trend.”