Business Confidence Boosted by Autumn Budget, Investment Plans Resume

Following the Autumn Budget, Barclays' research found that 42% of businesses agree that the Budget has given them a clear direction for future plans. 38% of business leaders now plan to increase investment, prioritizing areas such as cybersecurity and data protection, AI, and digital infrastructure. The Budget has made 37% of businesses more confident in their prospects over the next three years, with 40% more likely to borrow to invest for growth.