Two out of 10 small business bosses are planning to recruit extra staff over the next 12 months, a survey has shown.
Despite concerns over the strength of the UK economy, many British small business owners said they believe their firms will continue to grow over the next 12 months.
The latest quarterly Small Business Economic Confidence Survey from Bank of Scotland Business Banking showed 21% of small business bosses were looking to recruit over the coming year.
Only 7% forecasted a reduction in their number of employees in the next 12 months.
Regionally, small businesses in the Yorkshire and Humberside area are the most likely to invest more in their businesses, while firms in the north east of England are the most likely to reduce business expenditure, with 28% planning cutbacks in the year ahead.
However, Yorkshire and Humberside firms will apparently not be investing heavily in recruitment, as bosses revealed they were the most likely to reduce their number of staff.
Around 14% of small business bosses in the region said they intended to axe a number of workers in the year ahead.
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London-based businesses are the most likely to increase staff numbers over the next 12 months, with 24% looking to recruit employees, according to the research.
