Business confidence at highest point of 2009

BUSINESS confidence has risen despite the recession, a new survey has found.

It has climbed to its strongest point since the start of 2009, with 64% of businesses surveyed feeling confident about the future of their business from a financial perspective, compared to 52% in the first quarter.

And a higher percentage of companies said they do not expect to shed jobs in the next 12 months compared to previous quarters.