Pandemic and Brexit deadline cause slump in number of foreign firms planning to invest in UK’s financial services industry
The pandemic and Brexit deadline have caused a slump in the number of foreign firms planning to invest in the UK’s financial services industry.
Only 10 per cent of global financial services companies plan to establish or expand operations in Britain in the next year, down from 45 per cent in April, according to accountancy firm EY.
Overseas investors are increasingly focusing on the digital sector, real estate and construction and healthcare.
Slump: Only 10 per cent of global financial services companies plan to establish or expand operations in Britain in the next year
Despite the downturn in short-term sentiment, 53 per cent of firms surveyed now expect the UK to be more attractive for foreign investment in three years’ time, up from 40 per cent earlier in the year.
Douglas McWilliams, of the Centre for Economics and Business Research, suggested that pessimism surrounding the UK’s post-Brexit prospects may be being overdone.