UK businesses are feeling confident about increasing revenue and headcount in the year ahead, finds research.

UK businesses are feeling confident about increasing revenue and headcount in the year ahead, while more than three quarters may increase salaries, finds research.

Some 61 per cent of businesses surveyed by recruiter Adecco say that growth is their main focus for 2012, with just 7 per cent looking to consolidate their business within the next 12 months.

The news follows the BDO Optimism Index hitting a key mark that indicates growth in the economy.

Two fifths of businesses say they are confident that their company will grow this year and that they look to increase headcount, in comparison to just 23 per cent who think growth is unlikely, and 37 per cent expecting to remain the same size.

The key areas where companies are looking to increase their staffing levels are sales, customer services and operations.

Around 78 per cent of UK businesses may also boost employees’ salaries in 2012. Many companies (38 per cent) are committed to increasing salaries this year or have already increased them, with a further 40 per cent still undecided but considering a rise in wages.

Steven Kirkpatrick, managing director at Adecco UK & Ireland, says, ‘These figures show that there is a cautious sense of positivity out there. While cost control is still important, many UK businesses are taking steps to recovery following the recession and the period of caution which has followed it.

‘The focus on both permanent and temporary roles is especially positive, suggesting that many organisations are confident enough to make the commitment to long-term staff, and also that new legislation such as the Agency Workers’ Regulations has not had a negative impact on temporary roles. This positive feeling suggests that 2012 might be the year that the economy shows signs of recovery.’

See also: SMEs bullish about economy