The UK is positioned to come out of recession more quickly “and with less blood on the carpet than its European counterparts”, the CBI’s director-general Richard Lambert told a London audience on Wednesday.

Speaking at a client breakfast briefing sponsored by Hays, Lambert said because the UK recognises the value of flexible labour, as well as its flexible currency, these are factors which are likely to contribute to a quicker recovery.

A number of stabilising factors will likely kick in, in the short term, he said. Such factors include the need to re-order cleared stock, the Bank of England’s printing more money and rising public spending. Also, Lambert said, exports will likely pick up because sterling has been devalued by 25% since summer 2007.

While increasing public spending will help stabilise the economy in the near term, Lambert said that the current state of public funding was a worrying issue. The UK must see more investment in infrastructure and green technology to drive the economy forward, he said.

The Hays breakfast was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel.