Over half of UK businesses delaying investment decisions until after the Budget
- 43 per cent expect to increase investment once the Budget has taken place
- 45 per cent cite business tax cuts as the measure they would most like addressed
- 73 per cent feel that tax cuts will increase confidence in business success
- The £22bn Barclays Business Prosperity Fund is available for all business to help support growth
New research from the Barclays Business Prosperity Index reveals that while two in five (43 per cent) UK businesses surveyed are expecting to increase investment once the Autumn Budget measures are announced, over half (55 per cent) are opting to delay investment decisions until the Chancellor’s statement has been made so that any implications can be assessed1.
Research among 1,000 UK business decision makers shows that 43 per cent expect to increase investment following the Budget, rising to 58 per cent among large businesses and 53 per cent among medium-sized firms.
Among the 55 per cent that currently have investment plans on hold, the top four decisions being postponed include:
- Facility upgrades or expansions: 37 per cent
- Research or development of new or improved products: 36 per cent
- New equipment, machinery or vehicles: 35 per cent
- Staff training plans: 34 per cent
Tax cuts number one Budget priority for UK businesses
Business tax cuts top the list of desired measures businesses would most like to see from the Budget (45 per cent). This is especially important for small businesses (51 per cent) and micro businesses (51 per cent). Other priorities include investment incentives (37 per cent), public infrastructure investment (36 per cent), and support for workforce training and upskilling (36 per cent).
In a period of global uncertainty, three quarters of businesses (73 per cent) feel that business tax cuts will increase confidence in business success. Two in three (65 per cent) say that investment incentives would increase confidence, while others reflect that measures to reduce the regulatory burden (63 per cent) and increased funding for regional business development (63 per cent) would also increase confidence if included.
Matt Hammerstein, Chief Executive of Barclays UK Corporate Bank, said: “Our research shows businesses are eager to invest in facility upgrades, new and improved products and staff training, but they need clarity from the Government to move forward. The Autumn Budget presents a critical opportunity to unlock that investment and drive long-term growth.
“At Barclays we support businesses of all sizes to realise their growth ambitions and help build confidence in the UK as a place they can flourish through investment.”
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. To see how Barclays can work with you to support your business visit: 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.
Notes to editors
Contact
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The Barclays Business Prosperity Index
This research is conducted as part of the Barclays Business Prosperity campaign. In November 2024 Barclays launched the Business Prosperity Index – a trackable measure of business performance and future growth – with economic modelling produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).
1The survey data was conducted among 1,000 business decision makers, between 12th – 22nd August 2025, by Opinium Research on behalf of Barclays.
The businesses represented in the survey include 200 micros (1-9 employees), 200 small businesses (10-49 employees), 200 medium businesses (50-249 employees), and 400 large businesses (250+ employees) representative across sectors, and regions of the UK.
For more information on the Business Prosperity Index visit: home.barclays/businessprosperity
About Barclays
Our vision is to be the UK-centred leader in global finance. We are a diversified bank with comprehensive UK consumer, corporate and wealth and private banking franchises, a leading investment bank and a strong, specialist US consumer bank. Through these five divisions, we are working together for a better financial future for our customers, clients and communities.
For further information about Barclays, please visit our website home.barclays
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