Retirement prospects are improving slightly among recruiters, according to research from Clifton Asset Management (CAM).

The research shows that even though 77% of business owners say their retirement is further away now than it was a year ago, this is down from 80% three months ago.

In the East Midlands, 90% claim their retirement hopes have receded, up from 83% while the North East figure remains at 86%. By contrast, in the South West only 68% of business owners say their retirement has moved further away, down 13%.