#sme-confidence

#sme-confidence

With the Autumn Budget approaching, new research from Simply Asset Finance reveals that smaller businesses are increasingly worried about the pro-business credentials of the Government. Almost half (46%) of smaller SMEs say they're not confident that the Government will drive a 'pro-business' agenda compared to only 22% of medium sized businesses. Notably, the research reveals that much of the goodwill that had been granted to the new Government early in its tenure has ebbed away.

The quarterly confidence index, which is based on responses from business leaders, has declined to 88, down from 89.5 in Q2 2025 and 107.1 in Q2 2024. The results also indicate that SMEs are in an era of cautious optimism amidst economic uncertainties. While more than half of all those surveyed anticipate increased revenue (57%), 22% foresee a decline in profitability in the next 12 months.