The company’s interim growth survey for SMEs also found that, despite the shortfall in lending, 80% of chief executives are expecting growth of more than 6% and more than three-quarters of those questioned are expecting to take on extra staff.

Most of the survey’s 122 respondents cited lower corporate taxes as what they most wanted from the 2012 budget, with over half naming it as a priority. Other initiatives that SMEs would like the Government to implement include increased tax breaks for research and development and a reduction in National Insurance.

John Hayhurst, ECI investment director and former board member of document management company EDM, said: "Some of the markets within the print sector are growing. For example, we are seeing increasing demand for managed print services all the time and cost efficiencies are key. Corporates are now realising the cost attached to print and are seeking to optimise it via a managed print service."

View the survey results at www.ecipartners.com.