Businesses across the region are feeling more positive when it comes to hiring and firing with more showing an interest in taking on former public sector workers – according to a new report.

Findings from the latest Barclays Job Creation Survey found that 63pc of firms in the region said they would be creating new jobs in the next year – up from 55pc in the previous 12 months. In addition, 87pc said they were not planning any job cuts in the next year.

And there has been a sea change in attitudes from firms when it comes to taking on former public sector workers, with 42pc of firms now interested, equal to Wales and rising from 33pc.

Meanwhile a separate survey found that six out of nine English regions achieved growth last month. The Lloyds TSB Purchasing Managers Index indicated a further rise in business activity in the East of England, with the rate of expansion reaching a five-month high. The number of incoming new businesses also increased, while the rate of job creation was the fastest in nine months.

However 20pc of firms reported a rise in costs, with only 4pc noting a fall.

David Farrow, managing director, corporate banking eastern at Barclays said: 'Eastern businesses have weathered the economic storm well, and still have room to flourish and grow, which explains their willingness to hire. It's also positive to see that the vast majority of businesses in the region are not expecting to lose jobs in the coming year.

'The largest companies are the most interested in taking on public sector workers, as they are the best suited to a large company environment, yet unfortunately they are less likely to be recruiting this year. Having said that, the Eastern region's increased interest from a year ago in taking on ex-public sector workers could mean that when the time is right they will be considered for recruitment.'

David Oldfield, managing director of small business and mid-markets banking at Lloyds, said it was encouraging that firms were continuing to find opportunities to expand their businesses, despite weather disruption and worries of a triple dip recession across the wider UK economy. He added: 'The survey shows that UK firms remain resilient.'