SMEs could create 50k jobs

Some 50,000 jobs could be created by SMEs this year, according to one of the leading small business sector representatives.

Lobby group ISME said yesterday that the 50,000 jobs figure is “an achievable target” if the Government takes relevant action to help tackle business costs.

Supporting its outlook, ISME’s latest quarterly business survey shows a marked improvement in sentiment amongst SMEs, with 18% of employers expecting to increase their staff levels during 2014. That figure is the highest for nearly seven years.