South-east sees increase in business activity

Date: 11th April 2011

Small business operating in the south-east of England could be among those encouraged by the findings of a new report.

Research recently published by Lloyds TSB has revealed that the region is currently the strongest in the UK with regard to business activity.

According to the firm's latest regional Purchasing Managers' Index, the south-east saw activity increase at the fastest rate for three and a half years in March.

John Maltby, managing director of Lloyds TSB Commercial, commented: "March proved to be another relatively positive month for private sector companies compared to 2010, as business activity and employment increased throughout the English regions.

"However, recent global events and sharply rising input prices nonetheless are causing concern amongst companies about the sustainability of this growth momentum."

By way of contrast, the report indicated that the east Midlands dropped to the bottom of the table, while the west Midlands and Yorkshire & Humber saw weaker rates of output growth than in February.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher