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Birmingham Post

Business

Alistair Houghton

Business confidence grows in the North West as manufacturing and construction sectors remain optimistic and firms plan to create jobs

North West Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking United Kingdom

Business confidence in the North West saw double-digit growth this month, according to the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer - but optimism remains low in the retail sector as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.

The latest edition of the monthly survey from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking shows business confidence rose 12 points in May to 44%, the third highest in the UK behind London and the West Midlands.

The survey showed companies in the region reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 17 points at 60%. Their optimism in the economy was up seven points to 27%, giving a headline confidence reading of 44%.

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