Nearly half of SMEs are more confident following the budget than they were before it according to a new survey.
However, despite the rise in optimism concerns remain about the ongoing skills shortage.
The survey carried out by accountancy group ACCA, also found strong support for the planned infrastructure investment with 52% of those surveyed saying that it was the most significant policy to support growth.
According to the survey, 46% of businesses are more confident following Tuesday’s announcement with just 9% less confident, reflecting broadly positive feedback from many in the SME community.
There was also strong support among small businesses for the planned €3bn investment in infrastructure with more than half of those surveyed (52%) stating that it was the most significant policy to support growth.
Indeed, 74% of SMEs want any future surpluses invested in infrastructure and housing compared to just 12% who want to see money returned to workers in the form of …