Welsh firms lead way on business confidence in UK

Nation’s businesses confident about the future

- By OWEN HUGHES Business Correspondent [e-mail]

BUSINESS confidence in Wales was the highest of any UK nation or region for a second month in a row in July according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds.

While Welsh firms’ optimism in the economy dipped two points to 66%, their optimism in their own trading prospects rose 20 points to 86%.

Taken together, this gives a headline confidence reading of 76% (vs. 67% in June).

A net balance of 68% of businesses in the region also expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up nine points on last month.