| Thursday, 27 August 2009 |
Credit restrictions 'tempering business confidence'The confidence of small businesses such as freelance consultants and contractors would be higher if credit restrictions were eased, it has been suggested.Phil McCabe of the Forum for Private Business made the comment while reviewing recent research by Barclays, which found 49 per cent of organisations are planning to expand their operations over the next year. He remarked: "The survey does suggest that there is a degree of optimism out there and entrepreneurs are typically very positive, but the economy is yet to prove whether these business ambitions can be realised." The bank's Have Your Say report stated consolidation is on the agenda for 34 per cent of firms over the next 12 months, with the retail sector the most confident of expansion 54 per cent of respondents in the industry said this was on the cards. Marketing (44 per cent) and IT abilities (18 per cent) were among the skills companies argued they needed better access to. Meanwhile, British Bankers' Association figures released last year revealed lending to small enterprises rose by GBP 319 million in June. Insurance deals for PCG members |
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