Business

THE FUTURE OF BREXIT BRITAIN: BUSINESSES DETERMINED TO GROW DESPITE ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY

Published by Gbaf News

Posted on March 31, 2017

3 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

Add as preferred source on Google
Graph showing record property deals in Portugal, highlighting affordable housing crisis - Global Banking & Finance Review
This image illustrates the surge in property transactions in Portugal, with a record high of 9.05 billion euros in Q3, emphasizing the worsening shortage of affordable homes.
Global Banking & Finance Awards 2026 — Call for Entries

44% of businesses in the UK (48% in London) plan to grow this year 80% of business owners are planning to invest in their company in 2017 Over a quarter (27%) of business owners seek financial advice from other professionals compared to 23% approaching their bank manager Research conducted by RateSetter Business Finance shows that, despite the uncertainty […]

  • 44% of businesses in the UK (48% in London) plan to grow this year
  • 80% of business owners are planning to invest in their company in 2017
  • Over a quarter (27%) of business owners seek financial advice from other professionals compared to 23% approaching their bank manager

Research conducted by RateSetter Business Finance shows that, despite the uncertainty created by Brexit, more than 40% of businesses in the UK – and nearly half (48%) of those based in London – are expecting to grow this year.

Four in five businesses owners (82%) intend to invest in their company in 2017.

The findings contrast with recent statistics from the British Business Bank (BBB) which showed that half of UK SMEs have not sourced external finance for three years and that 70% borrowed less than £25,000 on the last occasion.

The total value of business lending dropped by 11% in 2016 compared with 2015 and, more recently, borrowing by non-financial companies decreased by £1.6bn in February.

Paul Marston, RateSetter’s Managing Director, Commercial Finance, commented:

“While the exact impact of Brexit on small and medium sized businesses will not become clear for some time, it’s reassuring to see that almost half expect to grow this year and are considering the finance they need to make this possible.”

“For the best SMEs, 2017 will present many opportunities, and we’re already seeing high-calibre businesses approaching us for finance in order to grow and become more productive.”

  • 44% of businesses in the UK (48% in London) plan to grow this year
  • 80% of business owners are planning to invest in their company in 2017
  • Over a quarter (27%) of business owners seek financial advice from other professionals compared to 23% approaching their bank manager

Research conducted by RateSetter Business Finance shows that, despite the uncertainty created by Brexit, more than 40% of businesses in the UK – and nearly half (48%) of those based in London – are expecting to grow this year.

Four in five businesses owners (82%) intend to invest in their company in 2017.

The findings contrast with recent statistics from the British Business Bank (BBB) which showed that half of UK SMEs have not sourced external finance for three years and that 70% borrowed less than £25,000 on the last occasion.

The total value of business lending dropped by 11% in 2016 compared with 2015 and, more recently, borrowing by non-financial companies decreased by £1.6bn in February.

Paul Marston, RateSetter’s Managing Director, Commercial Finance, commented:

“While the exact impact of Brexit on small and medium sized businesses will not become clear for some time, it’s reassuring to see that almost half expect to grow this year and are considering the finance they need to make this possible.”

“For the best SMEs, 2017 will present many opportunities, and we’re already seeing high-calibre businesses approaching us for finance in order to grow and become more productive.”

Related Articles

More from Business

Explore more articles in the Business category