More than two-thirds of private companies think the tax system is "fairly good" for enterprise, according to a recently-published survey, indicating that the tax regime may be less cumbersome for business than previously thought.

The surprising response was to a question posed by PwC, the professional service firm, in the annual Global Tax Tracker study published by Lighthouse management consultancy. Of the 300 companies surveyed - including mid-sized FTSE 350 and those listed on Aim as well as private companies, 63 per cent said the tax system was "fairly good".