London leads the way as small businesses hire at last
16 September 2013
Buoyed by rising confidence about the economy, small businesses are in the mood for hiring staff for the first time in three years.
Mon, 16 Sep 2013Buoyed by rising confidence about the economy, small businesses are in the mood for hiring staff for the first time in three years.
The confidence index of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) rose to 33.5 in the third quarter, the third successive three-month period of growth. Small firms in London were the most bullish, with their confidence index doubling to 46, with hiring expectations of firms in the capital showing a positive balance of +8.
Furthermore, the FSB says the proportion of firms with ambitions to grow has risen to 54.2% up from around 51% in Q3 2012. If realised the FSB believes that the small business sector could provide the momentum to further economic recovery.
In another positive sign, a report by temporary recruitment specialists Venn Group shows that vacancies across commerce and industry rose by 69% between Q1 and Q2 this year. Employment levels in financial services have stabilised, says Venn Group in its latest quarterly report – the ‘Venn Index’.
Robert Bowyer, director of Venn Group, says: “As predicted in the last edition of the ‘Venn Index’, the economy continues to show signs of stability, and professional contract and interim employment levels in the UK remain strong.”
The confidence index of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) rose to 33.5 in the third quarter, the third successive three-month period of growth. Small firms in London were the most bullish, with their confidence index doubling to 46, with hiring expectations of firms in the capital showing a positive balance of +8.
Furthermore, the FSB says the proportion of firms with ambitions to grow has risen to 54.2% up from around 51% in Q3 2012. If realised the FSB believes that the small business sector could provide the momentum to further economic recovery.
In another positive sign, a report by temporary recruitment specialists Venn Group shows that vacancies across commerce and industry rose by 69% between Q1 and Q2 this year. Employment levels in financial services have stabilised, says Venn Group in its latest quarterly report – the ‘Venn Index’.
Robert Bowyer, director of Venn Group, says: “As predicted in the last edition of the ‘Venn Index’, the economy continues to show signs of stability, and professional contract and interim employment levels in the UK remain strong.”
