YouGov, the data analytics and polling company, has shown that demand for polling is big business, with full-year profits rising by more than 60 per cent.

Pre-tax profits rose to £56 million in the year to the end of July, up from £34.7 million last year. Revenues increased by 17 per cent to £258 million.

Despite what the AIM-listed business said was a “difficult trading environment”, it expects to hit its financial targets for next year, with medium term revenue of £500 million.

This figure excludes its €315 million acquisition of GfK’s consumer panel, which increased its size by 50 per cent, giving the views of shoppers and how they think, act and buy. The deal was agreed in July and is expected to complete