ALMOST seven out of 10 small businesses say they are unhappy with the actions taken by the Government to support them.

Despite the poor support for recent moves designed to support them through the downturn, a survey of more than 500 small firms also found the sector was remaining resilient in the face of the wider economic problems. Just 15% believed this Christmas would be their worse ever, while around a third believed it would be about the same as 2007 and 14% thought it would actually be better.

The survey, by telecoms company XLN Telecom, found just 2% predicted they would be forced to close next year while 18% actually thought they would thrive in the New Year.

Purchases and overheads were top of the list for cutbacks, with more than four out of 10 choosing this option to save money, while around a third planned to slash their marketing and a quarter said they would change their utility suppliers. Just 10% said they would “definitely” have to make staff redundant to cope with the downturn.

Anthony Karibian, XLN Telecom’s chief executive, said: “Small businesses are highly resilient. Much of this resilience comes from their ability to rapidly adapt to changing circumstances – this combined with a highly entrepreneurial drive.

“As a result, while many were certain about what they would and wouldn’t do, there were large percentages of “maybes” on key questions relating to their plans for 2009 – showing that if changes need to be made during the course of next year, they will be ready to make them at that point.”