The Small Business Service has just mailed to say the executive summary of the annual Small Business Survey is on its site now. Details will follow later but the main points include:
* 56 per cent of small businesses think the Government is listening to their concerns, as opposed to 44 per cent in 2003; * 31 per cent of small businesses are reporting regulations as a barrier to conducting business compared to 38 per cent in 2003; 27 per cent of small businesses increased their number of employees during 2004 compared to 16 per cent the year before.
2005's figures, out this time next year, should be an eye-opener with confidence in the economy faltering.
