Institute for Family Business Response to Unemployment Figures

Responding to today's figures which show that unemployment fell by 63,000 to 2.33 million in the three months to January, IFB Director General Mark Hastings said:

"The figures today demonstrate what many of our members are already telling us, that they are now committing to investing in new staff.

"In a recent survey of our members, eighty six per cent (86%) of family businesses said they are planning to increase staffing levels this year.  Seventy eight per cent (78%) also plan to increasing investment in staff training and development.

"Business confidence is growing amongst family firms, which is demonstrated by their commitment to investment and business growth.  We hope that today's Budget will provide further a further boost for family firms."