BUSINESS managers across the UK have given a pessimistic outlook for the economic outlook over the next 12 to 18 months but the outlook remains positive in the Bradford district, according to one business boss.

A total of 48 per cent of those surveyed said Brexit will have a negative impact on growth, according to the Chartered Management Institute’s (CMI) annual Future Forecast report which was published today.

Only 39 per cent of organisations described themselves as seeing growth, the lowest figure since 2012. But the picture is more optimistic closer to home. A total of 57 per cent remain positive about their organisation’s own prospects, while 25 per cent feel negative.

Managers became six per cent more confident, at 54 per cent, in senior executives’ ability to lead their own organisation too.

Meanwhile, 35 per cent of managers said they lacked confidence in UK leadership and management’s ability to capitalise on post-Brexit opportunities.

A total of 74 per cent agree that investing in skills is even more important after the last summer’s EU vote.

The report also discusses the impact of Donald Trump’s election as US president. A total of 40 per cent believe that it will have a negative impact on UK business, while 31 per cent think it will have a positive impact.

There was also support among the 1,118 UK managers surveyed for the next generation of home-grown leaders and managers through the apprenticeship programme.

Marketing firm boss Howard Martin, who is honorary president of Bingley Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said the UK picture did not reflect the situation in the Bradford district.

“The people that I deal with at the chamber and networking groups seem to have a full order book at the moment. The businesses are very positive,” he said.

“There is still a lot of individual confidence in businesses in the district.

“Nobody knows what the future holds. But nobody knows what type of impact Brexit will have on UK businesses in a year or two.”