| Britain’s turning a corner, says its new Chancellor, but British business owners are ploughing ahead. Our new 2026 Business Owners Sentiment Survey (The BOSS) show they’re highly optimistic about the opportunities, particularly around AI: |
  71% strongly or somewhat agree that AI tools have significantly increased their business’s efficiency or productivity |
| 73% strongly or somewhat agree it’s enabled them to develop new products or services |
| 67% say the same when asked if their business has seen significant returns on investment |
| 81% are planning to increase spending on AI in the coming year |
| Many are also surprisingly bullish about their growth prospects and hopeful about some government policies. For example, a quarter (25%) strongly agree and more than four in ten (43%) somewhat that giving regional or local government greater control over local taxes would make businesses more likely to invest, expand or create jobs in their area. But other developments predicted for the Autumn Budget would get a cold reception from business owners. In particular, a rise in capital gains tax (perhaps the most likely candidate for increases) is a key concern, with 41% naming it as among their biggest Budget worries. Only further increases to employers’ NI – already deeply unpopular– equal it. Six in ten agree strongly (23%) or somewhat (37%) that they would be deterred from starting a new business if higher capital gains tax (CGT) rates were introduced at the Budget. British business owners are pressing ahead, but that confidence could be undone, and it’s a crucial Budget for the government and for them. To find out more about the opportunities and risks they see, read the executive summary or download the whole report below. To discuss any of the themes or issues raised here or in the full report, please reach out to your usual S&W contact or Sophie below. |
| Download the report Sophie Long – Partner London +44 204 617 5628 |
