Small businesses will create more than 36,000 jobs this year, more than double last year's number, according to the Small Firms Association (SFA).
SFA director said the group's annual employment survey had shown a "remarkable" turnaround from last year and that small businesses were now geared firmly towards investment and expansion.
For the first time since 2000 small companies will create more jobs than the previous year. These results reverse a five-year trend of falling labour demand and demonstrate that small business will respond positively to market conditions. Reasons behind the improved outlook for small business included positive changes in last December's Budget, lower interest rates and inflation and increased acceptance of the need for wage moderation.
