CBI highlights increased recruitment

There was an increase in the number of people employed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector in the past three months, according to a new study by the CBI.

Research by the organisation shows that for the third quarter the balance of employment was +7 per cent, which is the fastest growth in headcount for the industry since April 2008.

Commenting on the figures, chairman of the CBI's SME Council Russel Griggs pointed out that many manufacturers will be increasing production in order to satisfy greater demand in the UK.

He said: "It is encouraging that firms have increased their headcount this quarter and are now planning to invest in plant and machinery, and innovation."

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This week, the CBI's senior policy adviser for SMEs Dan Morgan welcomed the extension of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and noted that it was one of the measures the institution had been calling for.