Midland SMEs continue to be sceptical about Government support for growth according to a new survey.

Three quarters of West Midland SMEs - the highest proportion in the country - said the Government is not doing enough to help businesses grow, according to the survey conducted for accountancy firm RSM Tenon.

More than 300 senior managers in small and medium sized enterprises across the country were questioned for the RSM Tenon Business Barometer - a quarterly survey carried out by You Gov.

The Government was also criticised for failing to help businesses access finance, with 61 per cent of West Midlands SMEs claiming there had been no improvement in their ability to raise money since the coalition came to power in 2010.

Businesses in the Midlands have also remained cautious about borrowing, with just 24 per cent seeking to access finance.

Peter Whitehead, office managing partner at RSM Tenon in the West Midlands, said: “Uncertainty around the Government’s policies and also the eurozone have affected business confidence, with falling investment and rising commodity prices adding more pressure.

“However it is not all doom and gloom, with one in five businesses saying they remained ‘very confident’ about hitting revenue targets this quarter. There are signs of recovery in the financial sector that should hopefully have a positive impact going forward.”