Startups.co.uk:
Business owners in the UK are unfazed by the prospect of rising taxation levels and remain resoundingly optimistic about the year ahead, a new survey has claimed.
The research, conducted by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) revealed that business owners feel confident of success in 2007, despite the general consensus that business costs will continue to rise.
There is significant concern that rising inflation and interest rates will affect business performance and increase expenditure, and over half of UK businesses predict escalating business taxes.
However, the survey revealed that business owners remain hopeful in spite of this, with 75% insisting that they feel positive about the year ahead, and 1 in 5 claiming to be ‘very optimistic.’ Just 3% of respondents confessed to being nervous about their business prospects in the new year.
‘Given that the past year has been one littered with concerns about skills shortages and the knock-on impact on UK performance and productivity, it is encouraging to see such high levels of confidence about the year ahead,’ said Jo Causon, director of marketing and corporate affairs at CMI.
According to CMI, the survey also highlighted an encouraging response to the current skills crisis, with 34% of employees intending to undertake training courses and further education during 2007.
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