Bosses expecting a Brexit boom in 2017
BRITISH bosses are expecting 2017 to be a boom year following the vote to leave the EU, it was revealed last night.
A survey of the 34,000 members of the Institute of Directors has revealed that 60 per cent are “optimistic” or “very optimistic” about their prospects for the coming year.
The members, mostly drawn from small and medium sized businesses across the UK, cited expectations of higher revenue and profitability as particular bright spots.
Some 60 per cent expect to increase revenues in 2017.
The IoD said there are also notable improvements since the last survey in the number of firms looking to invest and increase staff numbers.
IoD chief Simon Walker said: “Businesses are becoming used to uncertainty.
“And while some speculate on what our relationship with Europe might look like in the years to come, employers are getting on with the job of growing their businesses and delivering jobs for the UK. A steady if unspectacular Autumn Statement has clearly settled nerves. “And the early signs of the industrial strategy are certainly positive.” His IoD colleague, economist James Sproule said: “Politicians must now look to build on this optimism with an ambitious pro-enterprise domestic agenda and a constructive start to our European negotiations. “Confidence is a funny thing, and it can’t be taken for granted – a misjudged speech or signs that we aren’t making progress in Brussels could signal a sudden downturn. “The Budget in March remains a vital moment for this Government and the economy as a whole. Encouraging firms to invest must remain top of the agenda.”