65% of small firms to retain current staff levels this year - survey

Sixty five per cent of small firms will retain current employee numbers this year, according to the findings of a jobs sentiment survey carried out by the Small Firms Association.

The results show that the level of lay-offs and reduction in employee hours has slowed.

Director of the SFA Avine McNally said companies still faced challenges, however.

"There are still job losses in some sectors, particularly labour-intensive ones such as construction and manufacturing," she said.

"However, we're beginning to see growth in other sectors such as hospitality and service (which are showing signs of recovery. I think this is a positive sign for people that we are getting stabilisation.

"In the small business sector, one in four are saying they're going to recruit in the near future."