Firms should prepare themselves for a "modest" economic recovery, one business expert claims, as the United Kingdom shows the first signs that the economy escaped recession following a 0.1% growth in the last quarter of 2009.

Business confidence is set to rise over the coming months, according to economists.

Such is the assertion of David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), who notes that although the overall optimism of firms should increase, the recovery from the economic downturn will be at "a very modest pace".