UK Business Confidence in Post-Budget Recovery, Lloyds Says

The renewed sense of optimism comes despite figures on Monday confirming that the economy slowed sharply in the second half of the year. 

Photographer: Jason Alden/Bloomberg

UK businesses ended 2025 feeling more upbeat about the economy’s prospects after they were spared much of the tax pain at last month’s budget.

Lloyds, a bank, said on Tuesday its business barometer rose five points to a net balance of 47%. It measures the difference between firms that are optimistic versus those that are pessimistic.