Lloyds Bank's business confidence barometer rose to 35 percent from 28 percent in December, a nine-month high.

  • Lloyds survey of 1,200 companies
  • over the first half of January

Showed the proportion of businesses that were positive about Brexit grew to 31 percent from 16 percent

  • Hiring intentions also improved. "Although business prospects have softened from last month's high, overall business confidence has started the year on a strong footing," said Hann-Ju Ho, economist at Lloyds.

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