Barclays index shows UK business confidence rises to 63% in Q2 2026

• Barclays’ Q2 2026 Business Prosperity Index showed UK business confidence rose to 63% from 57% in Q1.
• Investment plans strengthened, with 56% expecting to increase spending in the next 12 months; 46% likely to seek new finance.
• Anonymized client data showed larger firms increased borrowing in Q2, with loan counts up 3.2% and lending values up 9.3%.
• Survey flagged policy uncertainty as a constraint, with calls for clearer direction on tax, digital infrastructure, and skills.
• Support for regional decision-making increased, with 60% backing devolution; 34% expected to benefit from the No.10 North initiative.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Barclays plc published the original content used to generate this news brief on August 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.