56% of UK firms with delayed investment plans look to increase spending after Budget, Barclays finds
SPY•Barclays research found 56% of UK businesses with delayed investment plans are likely to increase spending after the Autumn Budget, up from 38% previously. Businesses expect spending to rise 6.7% over the next 12 months, averaging £564,000 each.
1. Investment plans
Barclays research found that 56% of UK businesses with delayed investment plans are likely to increase investment following the Autumn Budget, compared with 38% previously. Planned spending is expected to rise 6.7% over the next 12 months, averaging £564,000 per business; AI adoption is a priority for 58%, followed by cybersecurity and data protection at 55%.
2. Business and consumer confidence
Policy certainty is sufficient for 51% of business leaders to invest, while 26% plan to resume investment at a reduced scale. Consumers remain cautious: 32% are less confident about nonessential spending, and 29% report weaker confidence in household finances.
