FOR THE second consecutive month there has been no change in the overall RIBA Future Trends Workload Index, which remains at +8 in April 2011.

It is of concern that the positive growth trend in this index (the difference between those expecting more work and those expecting less) seen since December 2010 now appears to be somewhat running out of steam, with an increasing sense of uncertainty as to the future direction of travel for practice workloads.

Practices in London (balance figure +18) and the South of England (balance figure +42) continue to be significantly more confident about their work prospects than those in the rest of the United Kingdom.

The RIBA Future Trends Staffing Index for April 2011 (the difference between those expecting to employ more permanent staff in the next three months and those expecting to employ fewer) is -9, falling from -4 in March 2011. Practices of all sizes throughout the UK seem to remain in general very cautious about increasing their permanent staffing levels. However, there is now some indication of greater confidence about taking on more temporary staff; when asked about hiring intentions for temporary staff our practices returned a balance figure of +7.

Anecdotal evidence received this month focuses on a number of familiar issues, including delays and uncertainties in the planning system, intense fee competition and a general consensus that the situation remains very unpredictable which affects confidence amongst both architects and their clients.

Many respondents have noted the importance of practice reputation, whether based on their local profile or areas of sector expertise, as being of great importance in maintaining workloads.

Adrian Dobson is director of practice at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)