Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Growth to remain 'sluggish' in 2011

Alan Jones
Tuesday 18 January 2011 01:00 GMT
Comments

Business growth is likely to be "sluggish" at best this year after economic recovery in private firms lost momentum in 2010, according to the Federation of Small Businesses.

Its survey of more than 1,500 firms showed that the severe weather last month coupled with the increase in VAT at the start of the new year had an impact on business confidence, especially on restaurants, and retail and transport sectors.

Confidence fell for three successive quarters to the end of 2010, said the FSB, which called for interest rates to be held at 0.5 per cent. The FSB's chairman John Walker said: "Small firms cannot rely solely on the consumer for growth in 2011."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in