According to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking (BSCB), business confidence in Scotland rose 17 points in February to reach 35% (the overall ‘balance’ of opinion weighs up the percentage of firms that are positive in outlook against those that are negative, with responses weighted to reflect the composition of the economy).

Companies’ recruitment intentions showed that 27% of businesses in Scotland now expect to hire more staff during the next year, up 23 points on l January.

Across the UK, overall confidence fell two points to 33%, driven mainly by a fall in firms’ confidence in their own business prospects.

The Business barometer questions 1,200 businesses every month and provides ‘early signals’ of economic trends both regionally and nationwide.

Fraser Sime, BSCB regional director (pictured), said: “It is encouraging to see confidence rise among Scottish businesses, but one positive month doesn’t reflect the entire picture seen across the country.

“While notably higher than in January, firms’ overall confidence and their hiring intentions are now only in line with the average across the UK. As such, these figures reflect a return to cautious optimism for Scottish businesses, which is understandable given the economic uncertainty they still face.”

Overall confidence was highest among businesses in London (50%), followed by the North East and East Midlands (both 42%).

The manufacturing sector reported the highest level of overall confidence at 41%, overtaking construction.

Hann-Ju Ho, senior economist at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Across the country, firms remain resilient and have maintained January’s increase in economic optimism.

“Nationwide, the survey is consistent with slightly stronger growth in GDP in the first quarter of 2018 than was seen in the last quarter of 2017.”