Businesses press go on investment plans following Autumn Budget

Following the Autumn Budget, Barclays conducted research to capture sentiment amongst business leaders, revealing that:

• 42 per cent of businesses agree that the Budget has given them a clear and stable direction for future plans, compared to 31 per cent that disagree
• Four in 10 (38 per cent) business leaders who delayed investment until the Budget now plan to increase investment, compared to a fifth (23 per cent) who say they are now less likely
• The areas businesses are prioritising for investment are cybersecurity and data protection (56 per cent), AI (53 per cent) and digital infrastructure (52 per cent)

Barclays’ post-Budget Business Prosperity Index research¹ of 1,092 business leaders shows four in 10 (38 per cent) say the Budget has made them more likely to proceed with growth or investment plans that they had been delaying, compared to 23 per cent who say they are now less likely.

Businesses resume growth and investment plans post-Budget

• As a result of the Budget, almost four in 10 (37 per cent) now feel more confident in their business’ prospects over the next three years, while confidence is unchanged for 27 per cent
• In a pre-Budget survey, Barclays research showed 55 per cent said they were delaying growth or investment plans until after the Autumn Statement². This latest post-Budget research shows almost four in 10 (38 per cent) say they plan to increase investment now that they have certainty on the path ahead. This compares to 25 per cent who said their plans were unchanged and 23 per cent who are less likely to invest
• Clarity has also encouraged 40 per cent of businesses to say they are more likely to borrow to invest for growth, compared to 19 per cent that said they are less likely. This was more prominent amongst large firms (48 per cent are more likely) compared to small businesses (35 per cent are more likely)
• Businesses remain divided on whether the Budget addressed their needs, with 54 per cent saying it somewhat addressed their needs and 39 per cent saying it did not
• The most common areas businesses are investing in are: cybersecurity and data protection (56 per cent), adoption of AI (53 per cent) and improving digital infrastructure (52 per cent)
• Budget measures that will positively impact businesses included funding for employment and skills support (57 per cent), permanent lower business rates (51 per cent) and fuel duty (51 per cent), while increasing National Minimum Wage (30 per cent) and electric vehicle tax (30 per cent) could have a negative impact
• Almost half (47 per cent) of SMEs are now considering hiring more apprentices. This follows the Chancellor’s announcement that funding will be provided to make training for under-25 apprenticeships completely free

Matt Hammerstein, CEO of Barclays UK Corporate Bank said: “With the Budget measures now announced, many businesses have the confidence they need to move forward. We’re committed to helping them achieve their goals, supported by our plan to provide around £45 billion in additional consumer and business lending over the next three years.”

Barclays Business Prosperity Fund

To support business to invest for growth, The Barclays Business Prosperity Fund is available for new and existing Business Banking customers and UK Corporate Banking clients across the UK to apply for lending and refinancing on existing projects. Businesses can find out more at: home.barclays/businessprosperity.

£22bn is the total amount of lending Barclays has available to lend and support business growth among Business Banking and UK Corporate Banking clients in 2025. Subject to normal lending assessment, status and application. Terms and conditions apply. Over the next three years, Barclays will increase consumer and business lending by approximately £45 bn. Find out more here.

Notes to editors

For more information please contact: [email protected]

¹ Barclays post-Budget Business Prosperity Index research

This post-Budget research was conducted among 1,092 business decision makers, between 27 November-1 December 2025, by Focaldata on behalf of Barclays, as part of the Q3 Barclays Business Prosperity Index.

The wider Index also includes Barclays proprietary data, with economic modelling produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). The insights within this press release are purely from the research from 1,092 business decision makers.

² Barclays Business Prosperity Index