Business confidence takes a hit in December

BUSINESS confidence in the North East fell seven points during December to match the national level, a new survey suggests.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

The Business Barometer from Lloyds had previously seen the North East recording much higher confidence levels than other parts of the country.

But the latest survey showed a significant fall in businesses’ confidence in their own prospects - down 23 points at 49% - though there was a slight jump in firms’ optimism in the wider economy, which was up nine points to 45%.