Getting the banks to lend more to business as well as cutting fuel prices are among the prime concerns of recruiters surveyed by private equity vehicle HB RIDA.

Commenting on the findings of a snapshot survey among HB RIDA portfolio companies, managing director Helen Reynolds says: “The proposed fuel duty increase is causing a lot of distress at the moment among SME recruiters and their clients, and there have been several suggestions from our portfolio companies ranging from a tax rebate for individuals with rural postcodes to a reduction in VAT on fuel to reduce the cost.”

Warren Jesse, managing director of Excel Resourcing, which has a transport and logistics division, says: “The price of fuel affects everything – if it costs more for producers and manufacturers to transport their goods then that’s going to have a direct effect on the economy.”

Paul Payne, managing director of One Way Resourcing, the specialist construction recruiter, says he would like to see some clarity on government backed initiatives for construction and housing.

And Joseph Hathiramani, director at construction recruiter Trillium, would like to see the banks being given more encouragement to increase lending to the building and construction sectors to stimulate the economy.