Small business group ISME has said the sector continues to perform strongly with positive indicators on business confidence, employment and investment.
In its quarterly business survey, it says 36% of small companies expect to hire staff over the next number of months. But, it says, the construction sector is the least positive about business prospects despite recording the highest increases in employment. The retail sector was the most optimistic.
According to the ISME survey, half of companies plan to increase investment in the next 12 months, with only 8% anticipating reduced investment levels.
But ISME says delays in getting paid remain 'a significant impediment' to small business, with 22% of firms saying that the credit period being take in longer compared with a year earlier. Only 7% receive payment more quickly than last year.
Labour costs were the biggest concern, followed by increased regulation and the erosion of competitiveness.
