UK companies step up hiring and wages amid reopening

British firms are expecting to boost hiring and wages after remaining coronavirus restrictions on the economy were removed in July, according to a survey published Monday.

The optimistic assessment comes amid continuing strong business confidence, which has dipped only marginally from the highest level in three years, the latest Lloyds Bank Business Barometer shows. Businesses are "clearly saying things have improved significantly and they expect better times ahead,” said Lloyds Senior Economist Rhys Herbert. "The big picture is that confidence has rebounded sharply from last year’s pandemic low.”