UK business confidence at strongest level in 20 years

UK business confidence has reached its strongest level in 20 years, according to a survey from Lloyds Banking Group.Lloyds said confidence has been boosted by rising expectations for orders, sales and profits in the next six months.Confidence has increased across all sectors and regions in the UK, particularly in the North and the West Midlands.Lloyds also revealed that companies are now more optimistic about the economy than they have been at any point since January 2007.The survey showed businesses have signalled that they intend to increase staff numbers, signalling a rise in 2014 employment figures. The UK economy grew at an annualised rate of more than 3% in the second and third quarters of 2013. RD