Responding to new ONS inflation figures, which show that the consumer prices index rose by 3.2% in the 12 months to November, Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive at BusinessLDN, said:
“Persistently high inflation, rising employment costs and heightened uncertainty around the Budget caused many businesses to freeze hiring and investment in the run up to the festive season.
“The Government should now double down on measures which can unleash animal spirits in the new year.
“Addressing barriers that risk delaying major infrastructure projects, thinking again about changes to the business rates system that could hit investment, and ensuring funds from a proposed visitor levy for London are used to promote growth would all boost confidence as firms head into 2026.”