Start-up boost for the region

NatWest and RBS yesterday revealed that they had seen a 12 per cent rise in the number of business start-up accounts opened in Yorkshire and the Humber during the last year.

During this period, the banks reported that 7,251 start-up accounts were opened.

Michael Burrow, regional director, branch business banking for the north of England and north Wales, said: "These figures tell us that confidence is there and entrepreneurs are seizing opportunities."