Economic data is falling thick and fast this week as experts try to get a handle on the mood of the country’s businesses amid all the political uncertainty.
Firms across the north and north-east are looking for signs in the current Brexit talks – anything will do – which allow them to be more confident about their future outside of the European Union.
A fragile UK Government and the continuing “will they, won’t they” speculation about another Scottish independence referendum don’t help to provide a stable economic environment.
Two reports out today, from banking groups CYBG and Bank of Scotland (BoS), paint a gloomy picture of the mood in Scotland’s private sector just now.
According to the latest Business in Britain study from BoS, Scottish business confidence levels have fallen during the past six months, while firms in England and Wales are more bullish about their prospects.
CYBG says its measure of the health of small and medium-sized enterprises across the UK has fallen to its lowest reading in three years.
The Office for National Statistics publishes its final estimate of first quarter UK gross domestic product later this week, which will shed more light on the economy’s likely direction of travel.
But for those north and north-east business owners still baffled about what to make of it all, don’t fret – a new generation of economic forecasters should help.
Professional services firm PwC says its new robo-economist, using the latest artificial intelligence, will be far more accurate than any human.