The UK’s SMEs say that the current economic climate is worse than during COVID, according to a survey commissioned by Bibby Financial Services (BFS). Almost four out of five (79 per cent) UK SMEs say that the current economic landscape is worse than during the pandemic. The survey, conducted independently by Critical Research, examined the views of 500 SME owners and decision makers in the middle of August 2022. It showed that 51 per cent of UK SMEs would prefer two more lockdowns rather than more inflationary rises.