Overview

• The Institute of Directors’ confidence index fell to -53 in June, down from -35 in May.
• Business leaders’ investment intentions tumbled to -10, erasing May’s neutral outlook.
• Headcount expectations dropped to -10, and 30% of bosses plan job cuts while 19% expect to hire more staff.
• Leaders cited President Trump’s trade war, looming packaging taxes and employment rights reforms as additional cost pressures.
• IoD chief economist Anna Leach warned that further autumn tax increases could undermine growth and shrink government revenues.