London Businesses Urge Chancellor to Tackle Skills & Tax in Upcoming Budget
Running a business in London isn’t just a matter of picking the right office. It’s about finding the right people, the right money, and a tax system that actually supports growth. According to Lloyds’ Business Barometer, most firms in the capital are calling on the Chancellor to make skills and tax top priorities in her first Budget.
What London’s Companies Want
- Skills shortage relief – 51% say this is the single biggest hurdle to scaling up.
- A competitive, growth‑friendly tax regime – 42% want rates that keep London businesses thriving.
- Quality, secure housing – 46% want to make sure staff can live close to work without breaking the bank.
- Research & Development support – 36% are eager for incentives that encourage innovation.
- Access to finance & lending – 30% want easier and cheaper ways to grow.
- Expanded waste‑recycling programmes – 53% want more support to hit the net‑zero target by 2050.
Industry Voices
Kirsty Sadler, London’s regional director at Lloyds, summed it up: “Our customers see skills gaps and a crystal‑clear, attractive tax system as the key to success. We’re here to help them grow, and that starts with the Budget.”
Barometer Snapshot
The Business Barometer surveys around 1,200 companies each month, giving real‑time market insights that shape policy both locally and across the UK.
So, if the Chancellor is listening, she knows where the goldmine lies. And if she’s not, these numbers are a polite nudge delivered straight to the top desk.
