• Barclays research found 85% of UK business and professional services firms plan to increase investment over the next year, averaging 40% growth.
• Sector loan balances rose 9.6% year over year in Q3 2026; the number of loans increased 5.7%.
• AI and automation lead investment priorities for 22% of firms; 68% reported increased demand for AI-related services over the past year.
• Skilled-labor shortages constrain growth for 71% of firms, with staff upskilling and experienced recruitment the biggest challenges.
• Business confidence reached 95% for the next three years, compared with 84% among UK businesses overall.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Barclays plc published the original content used to generate this news brief on November 12, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.