Legal Expert Backs Research But Warns Firms To Get Right Advice On Growth

By Rob Dixon

A top business lawyer has welcomed positive new figures which found that confidence is high that Yorkshire and Humber is the region most likely to see the creation of jobs over the next year, but warned that companies often need further advice to boost growth.

The new Job Creation Survey 2013 from Barclays revealed that 68 per cent of companies in the region expecting to offer new positions in the coming 12 months, while 84 per cent are not intending to cut any jobs either.

Yorkshire and Humber also showed the greatest improvement of all regions in the research. On a national level, 71 per cent of businesses surveyed overall are planning to create jobs, with 78 per cent not intending any job losses.

The research has been welcomed by legal experts at national law firm Irwin Mitchell who specialise in providing legal support to businesses across the country.

Steve Beahan, a Partner and business specialist based at Irwin Mitchell’s Sheffield office who is also part of the law firm’s SME Focus Group, said: “This research is clearly very welcome at a time when many companies across the UK continue to feel the impact of difficult trading conditions.

“These findings reflect the trends we are beginning to see within our own client base and clearly highlight the impressive opportunities emerging in the region as a whole.

“Government initiatives such as the £300 million funding to support SME growth announced last week will continue to support such developments and all of this will give great confidence to new entrants looking to get into their respective markets.

“However, the growth of companies and further job creation is dependent on many more factors than purely funding support, with our own work and research identifying how often SMEs need support in relation to employment law, disputes, real estate and general regulatory issues for their specific sector.

“Quite simply, all kinds of growth – including job creation – create challenges which businesses need to carefully consider if they are to thrive in the difficult conditions which continue to impact on the economy.

“We would urge companies to not underestimate the importance of getting the best advice at the right time.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Business Legal Services