The Monthly Business Survey, released today by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), shows a further 12% of businesses plan to cut staff wages this year.
Employers mainly hold the banks culpable for the economic downturn and recession (50%), with the Government being blamed by 37% of employers, while the Financial Services Authority has escaped with just 6% of the blame.
Speaking today in Birmingham at the BCC's Annual Convention, director-general David Frost said: "It is the country's private sector that has faced all the pain of this recession. The results of our most recent poll shows just how hard times are, with half of firms considering making redundancies.
"The Government must realise the private sector cannot bear all of the pain. There was some support in the Budget but more is needed to help Britain's embattled businesses so they can drive our economy out of recession, creating jobs and wealth in the process."
Majority of employers plan a pay freeze and half consider redundancies
Nearly six out of 10 employers (58%) intend to freeze salaries this year and half are either certain they will make redundancies over the next six months or are considering the option.
