The latest national Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) shows that the Iran War significantly dented confidence as it dropped to a near four-year low and suffered its sixth successive negative quarterly score. Companies reported rising costs pressures, weaker expected sales and profits growth for the coming year, while late payment concerns hit a five-year high.

Kim Johnston, ICAEW Regional Director Yorkshire and the Humber, discusses insights for the Yorkshire and Humber region from the latest ICAEW Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) Q2 2026.

The accountancy profession has made significant strides in widening access over the past decade. Across Yorkshire and the Humber, firms are working harder than ever to recruit talent from a broader range of socio-economic backgrounds. School outreach programmes, apprenticeship pathways, contextual recruitment and partnerships with organisations focused on social mobility, such as Ahead Partnerships and Access Accountancy, are increasingly becoming part of the mainstream.

Energy security and regional growth are often treated as separate goals. In reality, they can reinforce each other. As the UK builds a cleaner energy system, the Humber and the North East are well placed to become national hubs for low-carbon hydrogen.