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SME Confidence Report Q2 2026

Green shoots for some, while most struggle with rising costs

Understand the changing business landscape for small and mid-sized businesses. Plus: 5 ways Government can better support SME growth.

Download the report
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22%

SMEs confident about the UK economy

51%

Confident about their own business

97%

Say employment taxes impact hiring

72%

Say late payments affect how they operate

Revealed:

What’s Stopping SME Growth

Business confidence is beginning to recover, but many UK SMEs still face significant barriers to growth. Rising costs, recruitment challenges and access to finance are holding businesses back.
  • Inside the report:
  • Why confidence is improving but caution still dominates
  • The growing challenge of accessing business finance
  • How rising costs and employment pressures are affecting growth
  • Why AI adoption has stalled for many SMEs
  • Five ways policymakers could boost growth
Download the report

Access to finance is getting harder for SMEs

Smaller businesses are exploring alternative finance as traditional bank loans decline

The number of SMEs struggling to access finance has jumped by 18%, Q1-Q2.

40%
Difficult or very difficult to access finance, Q1 2026
58%
Difficult or very difficult to access finance, Q2 2026
Download the report to see the full findings

“These quarterly reports help us – and the wider network of partners, policymakers and regulators – better understand and support this vital powerhouse of the British economy.”

John Rozenbroek
COO & CFO, Capify