Three-quarters of SME leaders are confident about their own growth prospects heading into 2026, yet only 39 per cent trust the government to create conditions for that growth to happen, says Mike Hackett

Here’s the paradox keeping Britain’s economy afloat: three-quarters of SME leaders are confident about their own growth prospects heading into 2026, yet only 39 per cent trust the government to create conditions for that growth to happen. Worryingly, we’ve seen a ten-point drop in confidence over the past year, which tells you everything about the state of play between Westminster and UK private businesses.

This disconnect matters because SMEs aren’t just economic statistics — they’re the engine of UK employment and growth. If we want the economy to grow, then they need to be allowed to flourish, not held back.

As a lender to mid-sized SMEs and reflecting on our latest research and recent conversations with business owners, there is a high degree of........

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