'Workers confident of job security'

Workers felt increasingly safe in their jobs and were more optimistic about employment prospects, a new survey has showed.

A poll of 2,000 people by Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets revealed a slight rise in confidence about employment in recent months.

Chief Economist Trevor Williams said: "It is encouraging for economic growth going forward that consumers feel their job security has improved, which could reflect strong rises in employment over the past year, something that has been masked by disappointing labour market statistics.

"Faster economic growth suggests that employment gains can continue and that job confidence should strengthen further in the months ahead."

The survey also showed most consumers expected prices and the rate of inflation to increase over the next year.