Perceptions of cultural differences between the UK and its European neighbours are supported by a survey of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Perceptions of cultural differences between the UK and its European neighbours are supported by a survey of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Only 8 per cent of Germans accept the need to take a gamble when running their business, compared with 29 per cent of Brits and 38 per cent of French entrepreneurs, according to the poll of nearly 1,000 SME owners from insurance company Hiscox.

Inflexible labour laws are highlighted as a threat to entrepreneurship by 73 per cent of French SMEs, while in the UK 55 per cent of business owners share this view, confirming perceptions that employment legislation is more favourable to workers across the Channel than it is in Britain.

However, it is the Germans who seem most disgruntled with their government overall. Some 54 per cent believe there is not enough state support for SMEs, compared with 32 per cent who hold this opinion in the UK and 37 per cent in France.

This lack of support does not seem to be adversely affecting optimism, with 61 per cent of Germans confident about the year ahead compared with 55 per cent of British business owners and 51 per cent of French SMEs.