Optimistic investors could help grow the UK economy, according to new research

August 2025 - Central Government

Optimistic investors could help grow the UK economy, according to new research: Just over half (53%) of retail investors are confident with their investments over the next 12 months, compared with just over two in five (42%) back in May. This comes after the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech on the 15 July where she spoke about supporting more private investors in the UK with the help of the financial regulator.

The research was carried out by Find Out Now in mid July on behalf of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Insights Unit immediately after the Chancellor’s speech. Over 2500 investment platform users were polled as part of the new Retail Investor Sentiment survey. The data helped provide insight into investor confidence after the Chancellor’s comments which can then be used to make decisions regarding the UK economy.

Investor confidence is clear at the moment, with two fifths (40%) of investors saying they will increase the amount of money they devote to their portfolio in the next year and nearly half (47%) expecting their investments to stay the same. A mere 8% predict the level of their investment will decrease.

The findings suggest the government may be able to harness the confidence of young investors to promote growth. Nearly three in five (56%) 30 to 39 year olds expect to invest more in the next year, with 18 to 29 year olds not far behind with just over half (52%). Research has shown that young investors like to diversify their portfolios more than their older counterparts, with over a quarter (28%) of 18 to 29 year olds investing in crypto compared to less than one in ten (8%) 55 to 64 year olds. This late teen to early twenties age group also increasingly track their investments, with more than a third (34%) checking their accounts multiple times a week.

The survey also revealed many investors are in favour of the BCC’s key policy recommendation for a UK Growth ISA to incentivise retail investment. More than half (51%) of respondents agreed they would use one, with 18 to 29 year olds making up a large proportion of that figure; more than three quarters of this younger age group (76%) expressed their support. The BCC believes this would make a real difference to the UK economy if introduced.

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