Despite record high unemployment figures released today, businesses say they are cautiously optimistic about hiring.

Professional network group LinkedIn asked 1,500 of its members whether their company would be hiring in the near future, and 52% said they are already hiring to grow the business, recruiting above and beyond natural staff turnover.
 
Kevin Eyres, managing director of LinkedIn Europe, said: "Although the latest unemployment figures show that the jobless rate is still high, our poll illustrates optimism among professionals as companies are increasingly starting to look at hiring new staff as part of their growth strategies."
 
Other respondents in the same poll are more cautious though. Some 16% said they still don't know when their company would be hiring again, while 8% said they would delay hiring until 2011.
 
James Caan, Dragon's Den entrepreneur and CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw, said: "There's no doubt that it has been a tough time in the job market over the past 18 months. The positive news is that we're beginning to see an upturn in activity with more people moving and more opportunities opening up. While unemployment figures remain high, it's great to see indicators of UK businesses hiring to grow."