Growing confidence among UK employers, survey suggests

Recruiters are urging Chancellor Rachel Reeves to use her autumn Budget to tap into growing confidence among employers.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation said confidence in making investment and hiring decisions increased in recent months.

Its survey of more than 700 employers showed they were "less gloomy" than they have been, although concerns about the economy remained.

Rec Chief Executive Neil Carberry said: "The story of the last year has been businesses getting more confident in themselves, but holding off on investment and hiring because of wider economic, policy and technology concerns.

"That may be starting to change as last year's budget fades from view, some sectors like construction bounce back and interest rates are stable.

"But it just serves to triple underline that the impact on businesses of this autumn's Budget decisions needs to be the opposite of last year – only business confidence can drive growth, so the Budget must underpin it.

"Today's report shows the potential rewards if government makes it easier for firms to invest and create jobs, and growth, which creates better tax receipts, is also the only way out of the fiscal straitjacket the Treasury finds itself in."