Contractors may get more work from medium-sized businesses in the coming year after one expert said that they are feeling optimistic for 2011.

A spokesman for the Forum of Private Business said that one in three medium-sized businesses saw an increase in order books from shareholders while only 16 per cent saw a decrease.

However, he added that the government could do more to help them, as most medium-sized businesses reported that costs are rising across the board.

"We think that is one thing the government need to keep a very close eye on, because inflationary pressures could mean that it could [impact] the economy."

This comes after the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills found that 58 per cent of mid-cap businesses are expecting an increase in turnover while 93 per cent of those seeking finance managed to obtain what they needed.

It showed that medium-sized businesses are emerging from the recession well.