Quarterly Economic Survey (QES)

Help shape the future of business in Suffolk

The QES is Suffolk Chamber’s flagship survey and part of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) national survey, the largest independent business survey in the UK. It provides unique insight into the health of the local and national economy by capturing what really impacts businesses in Suffolk.

The findings help shape our lobbying and support work, ensuring your voice is heard both locally and nationally on the issues that matter most.

QES Results

Explore past Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) results to discover the trends, challenges, and opportunities local businesses have reported, and how your feedback helps shape our work and influence decision-makers.

Q2 2025

“No more business taxes during this Parliament” call as some hope, much uncertainty revealed in latest authoritative Suffolk business survey

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for the period April to June 2025 reinforces the evidence from earlier waves of research that local business activity and future prospects are at their lowest level overall over the previous four years. 

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QES Q1 2025 results released

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for the first three months of 2025 shows clear evidence that local business activity and future prospects are at their lowest point since 2020/21.

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Business conditions in Suffolk: grim for manufacturers, volatile for service companies as tax hikes hit confidence

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for the last three months of 2024 suggests that local business activity and future prospects have taken a sharp downward turn, with concerns about increased business taxes the most common reason given for the growing pessimism.

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Suffolk business sentiment “still trapped in a snakes and ladders mode”

Across the last two years or so, for every quarter of improving trading activity and sentiment, the following one inevitably sees most of those gains being at least partially reversed. Sadly, the latest results from Suffolk Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is further confirmation of the stubborn endurance of this snakes and ladders pattern.

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QES Q2 Results: Business survey underlines case for Government infrastructure boost in county

Newly-released Suffolk business data covering the last three months of the previous Government suggest a steadily improving trading picture, albeit with some specific setbacks.

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Q1 Economic Survey Highlights Potential Two-Speed Economy Amidst Rising Sector Optimism

Whilst manufacturers showed further slippage in a number of key activity indices, the service sector experienced a pronounced surge, albeit with a sting in the investment tail.

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QES Results: Mixed Sentiment and Activity Levels Persist in Suffolk Businesses, Reflecting Economic Challenges

The data for the fourth quarter of 2023 confirms the longer-term picture of a trading environment still some way off its post-pandemic peak – and one defined by a series of ongoing challenges.

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Suffolk Businesses Enjoy Strong Q3 Rebound, But Uncertainty Looms: How Long Will the Prosperity Last?

Suffolk businesses – especially exporters – enjoyed surprisingly strong trading conditions across July to September, according to the latest results from Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).

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Q2 Economic Survey Results Published - Hopes of Sustained Recovery Fade

In recent years, Suffolk’s economic performance has been a lead indicator in predicting later nationwide trends. That is why it is essential that policymakers in Westminster and Whitehall sit up and take note about these significant falls in the county’s export activities. This doesn’t augur well for an economic recovery anytime soon.

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Suffolk businesses: first signs of improvement in activity, but inflation and interest rate worries mount

Suffolk Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) for the first three months of the year has recorded a welcome boost in some of the measures recorded, especially for service companies, although manufacturers in the county continue to face a more complex trading environment.

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For more information or any questions about the QES, please contact policy@suffolkchamber.co.uk.

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