More than three quarters of businesses in Surrey are set to grow in the next two years, Surrey County Council has said.

A survey produced for the county council revealed that 77 per cent of companies in the county are hopeful about their future, with 30 per cent of companies already reporting annual increases in turnover or budget.

Of the 1,300 businesses taking part in the survey, nine out of 10 said they were putting plans together to develop their company while 15 per cent of firms said they had hired more staff in the past year.

Peter Martin, Surrey County Council’s deputy leader, said: “Surrey packs one of the country’s biggest economic punches so it is hugely encouraging that our firms are clearly gaining confidence in their prospects for growth.

“Their success will accelerate Surrey and the nation’s economic recovery and that’s why the council is investing in infrastructure so firms run more efficiently, rolling out high-speed broadband to help do business online and creating hundreds of apprenticeships to provide the skilled workforce of the future.”

The county council launched a range of initiatives to support businesses, including incentivising employers to hire apprentices and pledging to ensure 60 per cent of its spending is with companies in the county.