The majority of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK expect to grow this year but are concerned that barriers like red tape will hinder their plans, according to research published by Siemens Enterprise Communications.

Just under 80% of small firms expect to expand in 2010 but one third cite banks' reluctance to lend to business as the biggest barrier to their growth followed by 19% that said red tape and 17% that named government taxes.

"The campaign research shows that Britain's entrepreneurs have great faith in their business' to achieve growth but there are many different factors which could potentially undermine their efforts," said Leon Mangan of Siemens Enterprise Communications.

The research was commissioned for the launch of a business support initiative aimed at owner-managers and entrepreneurs called The British Business Boost. For more information please visit www.britishbusinessboost.com [1]