Global top bosses rank UK as second most attractive country for investment
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Britain has leapfrogged Germany, China and India to become the second most attractive country for investment behind America for the first time in PwC’s annual UK CEO survey. In a boost to embattled Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the poll showed the UK moved up from being the fourth most important destination for investment the previous year, while it also revealed top bosses see a brighter economic outlook for Britain in 2025.
The PwC survey cheered the findings as a “vote of confidence in the UK”, showing that 14% of worldwide CEOs believe the UK will receive the greatest proportion of international investment, behind only the US, with 30%. They are followed by Germany with 12%, China with 9% and India with 7% in the top five.
The survey found that nearly two thirds (61%) of UK chief executives are optimistic about UK economic growth in the next 12 months, up from just 39% in 2023. It comes after Ms Reeves faced mounting questions over flagging UK growth, the impact of her recent Budget measures and rising UK debt levels, with concerns seeing the pound slump and Government borrowing costs spike sharply earlier this month.
Last week’s weaker-than-expected growth figures, showing a meagre 0.1% expansion in November, heightened fears of a stalling economy. The recent sell-off in UK Government bonds – also known as gilts – has calmed, but experts worry the rout could resume on further disappointing data or unfavourable trade policies from new US President Donald Trump.
