Businesses and consumers less confident as Covid and Brexit fears remain elevated, new surveys show

Mounting Covid uncertainty is rapidly diminishing consumer positivity, while Brexit issues and supply chain bottlenecks are causing hardship for businesses

Bank of Ireland said 75% of households still plan to spend the same or more on presents and celebrations this Christmas as was the case last year.

Conditions are continuing to tighten for Irish consumers and businesses, two new surveys show.

A study by recruiter Hays has found that as much as 91% of Irish-based employers have faced recruitment and staffing challenges inside the last 12 months, with rising skills shortages undermining productivity levels, business growth, revenue generation and profitability.