SFA survey finds growing positive sentiment

Over half of small businesses say they expect their businesses to grow in the coming year.

A survey by the Small Firms Association (SFA) has found that there is a growing positivity among smaller businesses.

Some 41% of firms said they rated business as 'good' or 'very good', and 61% believe they'll be moving into a growth phase in the coming year.

SFA spokesperson Avine McNally is calling on the Government not to increase employment costs in the next Budget:

"What we're saying to Government now is that they must create the environment that's going to help businesses continue to retain the employment that they have, and hopefully create new employment into the future," she said.

"One of those critical aspects has to be no new employments costs, or no increase in employment costs in Budget 2014.

"The more costly it is for a business to employ someone, the less likely they are to do so."