Technology manufacturers are Britain's most confident companies, according to research, which could see a rise in IT contracting work during 2011.

Research by General Electric found that 71 per cent of companies in the hi-tech sector are confident their performance will improve over the coming year, the Independent reports.

In addition, results revealed that almost half of those surveyed reported that they are planning on hiring more staff in 2011.

Mark Elborne, chief executive of General Electric in the UK told the newspaper: "[Our research] shows a vibrant and positive sector that can help revitalise the UK economy over the next few years."

This comes after e-skills UK revealed in its Technology Insights 2011 report that 500,000 new permanent and contract posts will be created in the UK over the next five years.

It was also discovered that if the full technology was exploited to its full potential, the UK economy could see a resultant boost of £50 billion over the next five to seven years.