Nearly half (44%) of the UK's plumbers, electricians, builders, carpenters and other trades say they are quoting for more work than they were 12 months ago, according to Screwfix's latest survey.

Of the 95% of tradespeople currently working, the majority (67%) said they have enough work to keep them busy and 16% claim to have more work than they can handle, with nearly half (48%) believing business will improve for them over the next year.

However, the latest Trade Pulse report also revealed this optimism is tempered with a degree of concern around the general UK economy. Nearly one in three (32%) think it will worsen in the next 12 months, increasing from 20% who felt the same way one year ago.

Trade Pulse is a monthly index from Screwfix, which surveys more than 500 UK tradespeople including plumbers and heating engineers to track work levels and optimism among the trade. The retailer undertakes the research to gain greater insight into the needs of its customers to ensure it provides the services and products required.

Andrew Livingston, chief executive officer of Screwfix, said: "The optimism seen among the UK's tradespeople at the start of 2016 is continuing, however, there also seems to be more uncertainty on the nation's economic outlook from the trade. Despite this, it is very encouraging to see that many continue to be in work, with more jobs to come, which is something we see reflected by our busy trade customers across our network of trade counters."