Survey by FRP Advisory shows private sector growth not strong enough to absorb public sector cuts

An overwhelming 83% of senior financial and legal professionals believe private sector growth over the next 2 years will not be enough to support the influx into the labour market caused by public sector spending cuts, according to a recent survey by FRP Advisory LLP, the restructuring, recovery and insolvency specialist.

The firm surveyed more than 100 senior managers and partners in July from banks, commercial lenders and law firms.

Commenting on the results, Simon Glyn, partner at FRP Advisory, said: “The experience of advisers is that clients are still wary of expanding too quickly and do not envisage significant levels of growth over the next couple of years. Forecast growth would have to be exceptionally high among privately-held businesses to absorb the 40% public sector cuts – which equate to thousands of jobs, and that simply isn’t the case.”

The survey also found that 57% of respondents believe it is no easier now, versus 12 months ago, for businesses to secure bank funding. Simon Glyn believes that this, coupled with a stumbling recovery highlighted today by the Bank of England revising its 2011 economic growth forecast down from 3.4% to 2.5%, means the private sector will remain cautious in the short-term.

“The recovery is tentative, making business leaders circumspect in their outlook. Particularly in the SME community where, for many owner-managers, it is very much about nurturing and protecting signs of growth and consolidating the business. This caution is being mirrored by banks and, while securing finance is relatively challenging, the appetite for aggressive expansion will also remain subdued.”

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Contacts for FRP Advisory:

Kate Macnamara, Grayling

 Tel:   +44 (0)121 265 2761 Mobile: +44 (0)771 422 2793 Email:   kate.macnamara@grayling.com

Georgina Swain, FRP Advisory Press Office

Tel:  +44 (0) 207 467 4297 Mobile: +44 (0) 7881 523 345 Email: nationalpressoffice@frpadvisory.com

Click here for information about Simon Glyn:  http://www.frpadvisory.com/aboutus_people_simon_glyn.html

About FRP Advisory

FRP Advisory LLP is focused on creating, preserving and recovering value for its clients.

The firm offers a comprehensive suite of services to the mid-market and financial community. These focus on enhancing the performance of businesses, as well as saving businesses in distress. 

Services include: commercial & asset finance, corporate insolvency, restructuring, independent business reviews, interim management & placement services, personal insolvency & advisory, creditor services, insolvency investigation services and banking live-side support.

With 28 partners and 200 staff, FRP Advisory is one of the largest restructuring, recovery and insolvency firms in the UK, operating out of 9 locations including London, Bexleyheath, Hornchurch, Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester, North East, St Albans and Worthing.

To find out more, visit www.frpadvisory.com

http://www.frpadvisory.com/news_2010-08-11.html