A report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has revealed that company bosses in the UK are amongst the most confident in the world.

Nearly two-thirds of chief executives in the UK were planning to take on more staff this year, compared to a global average of 50%, with only Taiwan, Korea and the Middle East predicting more hires.

In all, 93% of chief executives in the UK are confident about their company’s financial outlook in 2014, compared to just 78% in 2013.

Ian Powell, chairman of PwC UK, said: "Companies right across the UK are moving beyond the private optimism they've been expressing in the boardroom to real activity in the market."