The key services sector reported growth during December according to the latest activity index from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS).The index showed a reading of 56.8 in December, up from 56.6 in November - any reading above 50 indicates growth.Not only was the figure slightly above economists’ forecasts, it was just under [...]

More: Positive economic data boosts hope for end to recession

This certainly brightens our economic outlook... but will it translate into more jobs? Also - depending on our government post-election, the finance industry's performance could be threatened by the type of regulations they decide to impose.

As Angela Knight, head of the Banker's Association said recently:

"There are literally tens, if not hundreds of thousands of British jobs directly and indirectly related to banking - bringing billions of pounds in tax income. Some of this is now at risk and, although many are well aware of it, decision makers increasingly either wish to ignore it or - even more dangerously - choose not to believe it," said Knight.

I really do try to remain positive at the moment but it is awfully hard isn't it?

I mean with every bit of good news that we get, it is often followed by some bad news which isn't great really in my opinion!

I suppose we all just have to brace ourselves for the year ahead and hope it brings some good?

Personally I give little notice to such indices - it's not something based on economic data, but instead a questionnaire-type survey, which carries little weight in the real world of economic figures IMO.

The problem with this type of report is it is all about the slant a journalist wants to take. The press are full of recovery stories one minute and doom and gloom about a "double dip" the next.

I think anicdotal evidence can be a good barometer. For Example

• estate agents windows are filling up
• For Sale signs appear and disappear in your local area
• more job vacancies advertised
• restaurants are busier
• less news coverage of redundancies

Newspapers seem to report on extremes, even in the quality press we are seeing less and less balanced journalism.