What’s next for the UK housing market in 2026? Outlook on interest and mortgage rates, first‑time buyers, rental reform and regional trends from Lloyds Banking Group.
What’s next for the UK housing market in 2026? Outlook on interest and mortgage rates, first‑time buyers, rental reform and regional trends from Lloyds Banking Group.
Business confidence fell 12 points to 41% in September, the lowest level since April 2025, according to the Lloyds Business Barometer. This decline follows August’s reading of 53%, the second highest recorded this year, and buoyant results since May. While confidence remained well above the survey’s long term average of 30%, it was six points below the 12-month average of 47%.
More than four in five UK businesses are confident in their regional economic growth in the next three years, with planning and investment in community and transport reported as the key drivers of future regional economic growth, but there is a divide in how businesses perceive public investment is distributed across the UK, according to new research from Lloyds.
Business confidence rose four points in August to 53%, according to the Lloyds Business Barometer, the highest reading since the start of the Middle East conflict in March (55%) and above the 12-month average of 47%. This is the second consecutive increase in business confidence, driven by a rise in economic optimism which is up 18 points since June.
Young women who invest are building significantly larger portfolios than their male peers and are more likely to actively manage their investments, despite remaining significantly underrepresented among younger investors, according to new data from Lloyds.
More than half (54%) of UK businesses say AI has created new jobs, according to research from the Lloyds Business Barometer, as firms increasingly view AI adoption as central to growth, skills and competitiveness.
The press releases in this section are for the sole use of journalists and media professionals. They are not intended for use by customers or members of the general public.