The latest SME Confidence Tracker from Bibby Financial Services (BFS) has concluded that SMEs are at risk of a downturn.

Faced with challenging trading conditions, UK SMEs are experiencing a decline in sales and increasing costs as the value of the pound lingers at historic low levels, according to new data.

As SMEs prepare for another quarter of political and economic uncertainty, Bibby Financial Services is calling on the government to provide reassurance to Britain’s business community, amid concerns that a no deal would cause confidence to fall further still.

The research found that sales growth slowed for SMEs in 2018 as the number of businesses that saw their sales increase fell to just over a third (35%) in Q4 2018 from 39% in Q1 2018.

This outcome is set to flatten in 2019 as 36% anticipate increased sales in Q1 2019, compared to exactly half of SMEs (50%) a year ago in Q1 2018.

Meanwhile, 32% of SMEs have linked a rise in business’ costs to a fall in the pound and 27% say that uncertainty arising from the UK’s exit from the EU is holding back investment.

The research also found that SME confidence has declined by 6.7 points from 64.7 in Q1 2018 to 58 in Q4 2018. This decline in confidence has also impacted SMEs investment intent as those engaging in capital expenditure dropped 14 percentage basis points from 80% Q4 2017 to 66% in Q4 2018.

Edward Winterton, UK CEO of Bibby Financial Services, said: “Our research should be sobering reading for policymakers and the wider business community alike. Despite positive economic growth last year, many SMEs are feeling the full brunt of continued political uncertainty on the Brexit issue.

“Whatever happens between now and March 29, there is a real urgency for the government to create stability and act to support our SMEs and high streets. I fundamentally believe the UK is a good place to do business and there will be plenty of opportunities in 2019 for SMEs to thrive, but the storm clouds of uncertainty continue to loom large.”

The data also suggests that there has been a gradual decline in the amount SMEs are prepared to invest in their businesses. The data shows that the amount invested fell each quarter in 2018 from £103,648 in Q1 2018 to £68,697 in Q4 2018 leaving an investment gap of £34,951 since the star of the year.

Winterton added: “If SMEs are hesitant to invest in their businesses, it means they’re at risk of going into recession territory. Growth does not come from sitting on cash or waiting for things to get better, and so conversely even as costs are rising, I urge SMEs to look at their spending for the year and set aside capital to invest in their people, products and plans. Investment of this nature is crucial for generating growth.”