Editorial & Advertiser disclosure
Global Banking and Finance Review is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.
Major UK businesses grow slightly more optimistic post-budget
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 6, 2026
Jan 6 (Reuters) – British company executives became a little more optimistic following finance minister Rachel Reeves’ budget and grew more willing to increase investment, although the mood overall stayed muted, a survey showed on Tuesday.
The quarterly net balance of business optimism from accountants Deloitte improved to -13% in the fourth quarter of 2025 from -24% in the third quarter, while remaining below average.
“Business sentiment is subdued but more positive than a year ago,” Deloitte chief economist Ian Stewart.
Reeves announced 26 billion pounds ($35 billion) of tax hikes in November but delayed most of them and the increases were much less focused on businesses than in her first budget in 2024.
The Deloitte survey of 55 chief financial officers at major companies was conducted between December 2 and December 14.
Preliminary figures from last month’s S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index – another closely watched set of surveys – also painted a picture of tentative improvements in morale across British boardrooms.
“While CFOs remain cautious about geopolitics and productivity, business confidence and risk appetite have ticked up from their autumn lows and perceptions of external uncertainty have edged lower,” Deloitte’s Stewart said.
The proportion of executives who see raising capital expenditure as a strong priority rose to a two-and-a-half-year high of 17%.
A final version of December’s PMI for the services sector is due later on Tuesday. Last week, the manufacturing index pointed to a tepid upturn in late 2025 for a sector that has struggled for momentum in recent years.
(Reporting by Andy Bruce; editing by David Milliken)
link