Our first report calls for Britain to ACT urgently in three areas: Ambition, Capital, and Talent.
Download the report →THE CHALLENGE
Britain is an extraordinary place, capable of great things. But a narrative of decline has taken hold — eroding confidence and dulling ambition. YouGov polling commissioned by Enterprise Britain shows:
74%
believe Britain’s position on the global stage is declining
73%
aren’t willing to take financial risks
16%
feel a significant impact when the economy grows
THE SOLUTION
Our first report calls for Britain to ACT urgently in three areas.
01
Ambition
Reinvigorating Britain’s sense of ambition — and reducing the drag that stops companies from achieving their full potential.
02
Capital
Making it easier for ambitious businesses to access capital — and broadening capital ownership so society shares in their success.
03
Talent
Unlocking the full potential of our homegrown talent — and attracting the world’s best and brightest to build their futures here.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Achieving the aims we set out in this report will depend on creating the right enabling environment.
01
Infrastructure
Ensure that the UK has affordable energy, efficient transport, dependable water and waste systems, and strong digital connectivity.
02
Universities
Leverage the UK’s world-leading academic institutions, and make it easier to commercialise the ideas they generate.
03
Sustainability
Ensure that growth is delivered sustainably, including boosting the mix of renewable energy sources and using energy more efficiently.
04
Cities & regions
Embrace devolution and create thriving regional economies that generate jobs, attract capital, and create shared national prosperity
05
Markets
Ensure market access and a reliable flow of goods, investment, and talent to fuel our next-generation industries.
06
Procurement
Ensure that public procurement is a driver of business growth and innovation, and that start-ups and scale-ups have a real chance to compete.
THE REPORT
A thriving private sector is essential to Britain’s prosperity. To build one, we need more companies to make the leap from start-up to scale-up to global champion. But right now, too many British businesses are stagnating.
To turn things around, we urgently need policies to help businesses scale, but these lack widespread public support. That’s because most people don’t feel they will benefit from companies’ success — or from the success of our wider economy.
feel they benefit significantly when the economy grows
feel they benefit significantly when the stock market goes up
THE CHALLENGE
Britain is an extraordinary place, capable of great things. But a narrative of decline has taken hold — eroding confidence and dulling ambition. YouGov polling commissioned by Enterprise Britain shows:
THE REPORT
A thriving private sector is essential to Britain’s prosperity. To build one, we need more companies to make the leap from start-up to scale-up to global champion. But right now, too many British businesses are stagnating.
To turn things around, we urgently need policies to help businesses scale, but these lack widespread public support. That’s because most people don’t feel they will benefit from companies’ success — or from the success of our wider economy.
At the same time, trust has broken down between the British public, the private sector, and the government.
We need change. Big, bold, ambitious change. Not just in our policies but in our attitude. It’s time to ACT: to reignite our ambition, to unlock the capital that fuels growth, and to harness the talent that drives it.
Reinvigorating Britain’s sense of ambition — and reducing the drag that stops companies from achieving their full potential.
Making it easier for ambitious businesses to access capital — and broadening capital ownership so society shares in their success.
Unlocking the full potential of our homegrown talent — and attracting the world’s best and brightest to build their futures here.
We’re ambitious. A lot of time and energy inside the “Westminster bubble” is focused on debating the details of policies already being considered by the government. This is important work, but it limits the range of measures being discussed. We will put out bold, ambitious policy ideas that go beyond what is already on the table.
We're collaborative. We don’t want to reinvent the wheel. If there are ideas put forward by think tanks or industry organisations that we believe will make a big difference, we will amplify and draw attention to them. We will also look for opportunities to forge consensus and launch collaborative campaigns — while acting as an “outrider” on some critical policy areas, going further and faster.
We’re nimble. As the last several years have demonstrated, the economic and political landscape can shift very quickly. Our independence, our structure, and our campaign ethos will enable us to react to changing dynamics and jump on emerging opportunities.
We’re focused. A lot of think tanks and lobby groups have very broad remits — often by design. One day, they are talking about housing policy and planning permissions, and the next, they are talking about artificial intelligence. We will remain focused on advancing policies that support ambitious businesses to scale and succeed.
We're direct. A lot of the language used to discuss economic policy is inaccessible, at best, and offputting, at worst. We will speak in plain language and launch campaigns that engage the public and mobilise support for ambitious policy proposals.
We face a closing window of opportunity. If we act boldly, we can set Britain on a path to shared prosperity. If we hesitate, we risk slipping into long-term decline.
Greatness has never come from playing it safe. Britain must reward ambition, embrace risk, and back those who aim high.
We want you to join us. The recommendations in this report are a starting point, developed in consultation with a wide range of entrepreneurs, investors, economists, and current and former senior government officials. Now, we want to hear from you.
We welcome your views on any of the areas outlined in this report. One that we think deserves special attention is how to create a nation of shareholders. Most people today do not feel invested in the future of British businesses. How can we change that?
No idea is too bold or ambitious. Given the scale of the challenge we face, we cannot afford to leave anything off the table.
The future belongs to those who build it. Let's build a better one here.
