Research

SMEs and entrepreneurs drive economic recovery and growth. ICAEW advises on improving business support, streamlining regulation and encouraging entrepreneurship.

• Q1 2012 business confidence monitor  

  Business confidence steadies but recession still a threat

• ICAEW submission to Parliamentary inquiry into entrepreneurship

  On 13 January 2012, ICAEW submitted written evidence the All-Party Parliamentary Small Business Group (APPSBG) inquiry into The Barriers to Entrepreneurship.

• ICAEW and the Regional Growth Fund

  ICAEW has been working closely with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Parliamentarians to create a cost-effective and efficient application process for the allocation of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

• UKCES report: Building Future Skills in Accountancy  

  As a part of the Government’s growth review, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) was asked to investigate whether the accountancy profession has the skills it needs to support current and future economic growth. ICAEW were represented on the steering group which oversaw the review.

• ICAEW Learning curve: Schooling & skills for future jobs    

  Our ICAEW and Centre for Cities research into raising skills profiles in weaker city economies.

• ICAEW SME Conference 2011 (PDF 332KB/2 pages)  

  Our 5th annual conference for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) included a keynote speech from the Minister for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk MP.

• ICAEW Enterprise Survey 2011 policy brief (PDF 235KB/2 pages)

  ICAEW’s annual survey of businesses shows that a raft of new regulation introduced this year has reversed last year’s slight improvement in the UK’s business environment, and that exports remain the best prospect for growth.

• Q4 Business Confidence Monitor (PDF 159KB/2 pages)

  UK economy expected to contract 0.2% in the last quarter.

• ICAEW Business Advice Service (BAS)  

  Our new scheme harnesses the expertise of ICAEW Chartered Accountants to offer a free advice session to businesses facing a tough economic climate.

• Businesses frustrated at lack of progress on improving business environment

  The BCM shows a significant fall in business confidence for the third quarter of 2011, its lowest level since Q3 2009 when the UK was still in recession.

• ICAEW and UKTI unite on export

  Trade minister Lord Green and ICAEW chief executive Michael Izza write to ICAEW members on how crucial SME exporting is to economic recovery.

• Setting up Local Enterprise Partnerships

  LEPs will replace Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) – read our guide to how these new regional business support bodies should be set up.

• ICAEW SME Access to Finance Report, July 2009

  Continuing the ICAEW’s policy leadership on the issue of SME access to finance, this research presents a new and up-to-date snapshot of the availability of credit for SMEs.

• An SME Policy for a Competitive Europe (PDF 39KB/1 page)  

  A Fresh approach to SME policy is needed: one that is framed by a coherant set set of principles throughout the policy cycle.

• ICAEW Summary - EU SBA Consultation (PDF 49KB/2 pages)

  A Fresh approach to SME policy-making in Europe.

• ICAEW High-tech and clean-tech public policy forum (HTCT) (PDF 50KB/2 pages)  

  We created the forum to advise ICAEW policy in these strategically and economically important industries.

• ICAEW representation to the Conservative Party taskforce on innovation (PDF 100KB/7 pages)

  ICAEW representation to the Conservative Party taskforce on innovation

• ICAEW briefing on four steps to innovation (PDF 74KB/2 pages)  

  The accountancy profession is well positioned to advise the public sector on obstacles that need to be addressed to support the growth of innovative sectors.

• ICAEW submission to the European Commission on EU innovation policy (PDF 121KB/9 pages)

  Consultation document on community innovation policy

• How to finance a low-carbon economy  

  The transition to a high value-added, innovative and low carbon economy has risen to the top of the major parties’ agendas.

• Conservatives consult ICAEW members on business priorities  

  Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury Philip Hammond outlined measures the Conservatives hope will tackle the public deficit, encourage growth and counter problems with access to finance for business.