MOST firms in the region expect to take on more staff over the coming three months, according to a survey out today.

And more than a third of North West companies planning to recruit intend to do so through the Government's new Welfare to Work scheme.

The Enterprise Barometer survey carried out by 3i also found that more than half of companies expected turnover to increase in the coming quarter and a similar figure expect profitability to improve.

"These results are most encouraging for the North West. It also shows that small and medium sized companies are aware of the government's proposals and expect to make and full use of the Welfare to Work scheme," said Stephen Ross of 3i.

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