Dragon's Den star sees more start-ups

Date: 1st September 2009

Britain's entrepreneurs have been encouraged by a Dragons' Den star to start their own businesses - despite the ongoing recession.

James Caan pointed out that rising unemployment meant that many workers were feeling less guilty about leaving their jobs in order to strike out on their own.

He also said that economic downturns have a "jarring" effect on many people, leading them to reconsider their life choices.

The Dragon's comments follow a report from online jobs site Monster.co.uk, which revealed that almost one in six (15 per cent) of British workers were currently planning to start their own businesses.
London residents were also found to be the most entrepreneurial people by the poll.

Mr Caan commented: "When times are good and money keeps rolling into an employee's bank account, they don't take the time to think about the future. In fact, they tend not to think about their current situation at all.

"A recession is jarring and it forces people to reconsider their business situation."

Latest official figures have shown that unemployment in the UK is now over 2.4 million people.

This is the highest level in over a decade.