Business confidence climbs Business confidence has reached the highest level since May 2022, according to the latest monthly sentiment index by Lloyds Bank. Confidence reached 33% in April, marking a slight increase from 32% recorded in March. The survey of 1,200 businesses found that overall economic optimism rose by five points to 28%, which is also close to a one-year high. The increase follows an 11-point rise in March. The survey shows that 61% of businesses expect to increase their prices in the coming year, while 47% are looking to recruit. Pay growth has hit its highest level in seven months, with 27% of businesses expecting to increase wages by at least 3%. Paul Gordon at Lloyds, said: “It is great to see business confidence continuing to increase, hitting a near one-year high.”