With the uncertainty induced by the prolonged run-up to the general election having come to an end and renewed signs that consumer and business sentiment has begun to improve, it now seems as if the economy is poised to emerge from the recession over the coming months. It may be some while before the evidence of any improvement emerges from the official statistics and it is quite possible that the various monthly sectoral and industrial surveys will continue to give conflicting signals as to the strength of the economy at the present time.