Business confidence hit a seven-year high in May

Business confidence hit a seven-year high last month as the UK’s vaccine rollout gathered pace. 

Bosses have not been as optimistic about their companies’ prospects since June 2014 – long before Brexit uncertainty began dragging on the economy. 

The figures – from a regular tracker survey by accounting firm BDO – are the latest to show that Britain is bouncing back. 

Optimistic: The jump was driven by the services sector, as the unwinding of Covid restrictions meant the leisure sector partially re-opened

Last month’s jump was driven by the services sector, as the unwinding of Covid restrictions meant the leisure sector partially re-opened. 

However, this was before the Delta variant took hold and put the June 21 ‘Freedom Day’ at risk. 

Kaley Crossthwaite, a partner at BDO, said the research showed that businesses had faith in the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown. 

Crossthwaite added: ‘While this is a dose of positive news, rising inflation serves as a reminder of the challenges on the horizon.’