German-British Business Outlook

Autumn 2026 – Executive Summary

Holding Steady, Feeling the Strain: German-British Businesses call for closer EU Ties

At present, 47% of respondents rate the current performance of their UK operations positively, 35% describe it as stable, and 18% report a more negative performance. These results mark a deterioration since spring, suggesting that while the overall picture remains broadly positive, conditions have become more challenging for some. Expectations for their own operations in the UK over the coming year have also weakened. By contrast, confidence in the wider British economy has improved over the past six months, although it remains subdued: 30% expect overall conditions to worsen, compared with only 20% who anticipate an improvement.

Investment plans within the German-British business community present a mixed picture. Over the last six months the proportion planning to expand their activities has risen from 14% to 23%, while 10% are scaling back investment and 7% are putting all such plans on hold. Meanwhile, 31% expect to recruit additional employees over the coming year (same as in spring 2026) but the proportion anticipating staff reductions has risen sharply, from 8% to 27%. This divergence may reflect geopolitical uncertainty and technological change.

Improving relations with the EU remains the community’s clearest policy priority. Three-quarters of respondents (75%) believe the UK Government should make this its foremost objective, consistent with previous surveys. Measures to make the UK’s regulatory framework more competitive also remain high on the business agenda.

Increasing competition from China is a major concern for only 14% of respondents, while 51% report no impact at all. This suggests that the community’s strong focus on the UK market and its substantial services sector presence offer some protection from these competitive pressures.