Most people in Britain believe businesses are a force for good, providing they are compliant, pay their taxes and make a profit, it has been reported.

Research conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) found that 82 per cent of people support private sector enterprise, with 73 per cent believing they play an important role in local communities.

Nearly half of those surveyed (46 per cent) believe new or international companies will generate economic growth in the UK, while just 20 per cent believe this will come from the government.

But interviewees were very clear in their view over business priorities, with 72 per cent thinking employees should be the main focus.

Just 29 per cent said owners and shareholders should come first, despite UK law favouring people with a financial interest in a company over other stakeholders.

According to the BCC, this highlights tension between different business objectives, with the public "clearly less favourable toward business profits than to provision of employment".

Some 79 per cent believed creating new jobs should be a high priority for UK firms, compared to 43 per cent who said generating a profit.

Worryingly, 59 per cent of respondents held the opinion that the UK is no longer a major trading nation, despite its status as the third-largest exporter of services and tenth-largest exporter of manufactured goods.

John Longworth, director general of the BCC, said businesses up and down the country are doing their utmost to find new markets and grow, despite the difficult economic challenges they face.

"The British public is savvy and recognises that business is a force for good," he noted.

"They are the ones that live and work in business every day."

Mr Longworth added that business is at the centre of the economy, and only the private sector will drive recovery and help deliver public services, like education, healthcare and pensions.

"It is the foundation of local communities, creating the wealth that helps them thrive, providing hard-working people with purpose and self-respect, and employment and training for those that want to learn," he added.

"More than two-thirds of people said the private sector is better at delivering growth than the public sector. While the public sector has a vital role to play, the private sector is our real economic engine."

Commenting on the study, Prime Minister David Cameron, said Britain's history is built on having some of the most innovative, dynamic and creative businesses in the world.

"Their success is crucial for this country's future, so I want this to be the year we really get behind them, with more people starting and growing their businesses," he added.

"They are the engines of new job creation and economic growth that this country depends upon."

Posted by Dan Smith