General Business NewsMost firms in the East are optimistic on their prospects over the coming six months but want to see measures to encourage business growth and ‘digital transformation’ in the Budget ahead of more Covid support, according to a Grant Thornton UK survey. It shows that half of firms in the region believe the Chancellor should prioritise growth, compared to around a quarter who are looking for more help on Covid.
Support for digital transformation was cited as a top priority for 48 per cent of respondents. Incentives to support low carbon business strategies (40 per cent) and help with skills investment were also on the wishlist.Overall, some 86 per cent of businesses in the East felt optimistic on their revenue growth prospects over the next six months, up eight points on December.
James Brown, partner and practice leader at Grant Thornton UK in the region, said: “Increased levels of optimism suggest business leaders are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, no doubt driven by the ongoing success of the UK vaccine programme and the Bank of England’s predictions of a strong economic recovery. It is important that the government capitalises on this optimism as a driver for growth and backs business in the right way.”
