IN SPITE of a number of job losses announced in York, companies in North Yorkshire are among the most confident in the Yorkshire and Humber region according to new data.

The bi-annual regional survey from Yorkshire Forward and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) found that a balance of 14 per cent of companies in North Yorkshire expect their fortunes to improve in the next six months compared with a regional average balance of 11 per cent.

Companies in North Yorkshire also have the highest expectations for an increase in domestic orders over the next six months, following strong growth in orders since April 2006.

A balance of 19 per cent of companies in North Yorkshire have seen growth in their domestic order books over the past six months, compared to a regional average of 14 per cent.

In line with the rest of the region, companies in North Yorkshire have experienced a further fall in profit margins since April 2006, but firms are more optimistic about their profit margins for the coming year.

The loss of 300 jobs with the closure of Terry's of York, plus the axing of 645 jobs at Nestle Rowntree with a further 450 jobs to go at York-based Norwich Union Life and another 100 jobs vanishing with next year's closure of British Sugar (and countless more in the supply chain) are not having an immediate effect on the rest of the region.

However, the high concentration of businesses in York compared with the rest of North Yorkshire, means that a dip in expectations around employment in the city has impacted on the overall figures for the sub-region as a whole.

Yet, companies in North Yorkshire are more likely to invest in developing their staff in the coming year than any other area in the region.

Terry Hodgkinson, chairman of Yorkshire Forward said: "Despite the recent job losses in York and the resultant impact on employment figures, North Yorkshire's trading position is reassuringly strong."

Penny Hemming, Yorkshire regional director of the CBI said: "The region's businesses have experienced a cost-driven squeeze on profit margins and have become less optimistic about their overall business prospects.

"As a result, it is heartening that orders, output and jobs are expected to grow at an even more robust pace over the year ahead.

"Many Yorkshire and Humber companies are fully committed to funding staff training, but the results of this survey show that others in the region must raise their game in this vital area."