Many small and medium British businesses are becoming more confident about the near future despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, a new survey suggests.
After a dreadful 2020, two thirds of UK businesses have said they are optimistic about their prospects of growth in 2021, with younger business owners the most upbeat about the immediate future.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday set a date for the end of all restrictions - the 21st of June, the first day of summer - as he unveiled the Government s roadmap for gradually exiting lockdown in England.
Beam of hope? Two thirds of UK SMEs expect to grow their business within the next 12 months
As it was today announced UK unemployment figures have reached a five-year high, James Reed, from recruiting firm Reed, said the number of jobs available on his site was actually growing.
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HSBC says it wants to push towards more homeworking after Covid lockdown
It will look at axing office space as its leases come to a natural end in the future
The move will not impact on branches of its UK HQ in London s Canary Wharf
Today the banking giant announced profits had fallen by a third to £6.2billion
But the profit drop for the British multinational is said to be better than expected