Published 5 March 2025
UK-France Business Dashboard
Welcome to the UK-France Business Dashboard, designed to offer a snapshot of the Franco-British business landscape. Using the data collected between July and October 2024, explore key findings from the French Chamber Impact Survey and an economic overview of both the UK and France, providing valuable insights into the dynamics shaping our business community.
Numbers on Business in the UK
The UK continues to be seen as a good place to do business with 56% of members expressing confidence in the current business environment, a rise from last year’s 42%, the business community is seeing clear progress.
However, a fourth of participants still feel somewhat negatively confident, primarily in industrial and scientific fields, including manufacturing and construction, as well as education, indicating that while progress is happening, it has yet to reach everyone.
Indeed, though cost pressures remain prevalent, there are signs of gradual improvement and enduring confidence compared with sentiments observed previously.
Growth prospects
The survey reveals a generally optimistic outlook for businesses in the UK, with a significant majority expressing positive growth prospects. However, a notable portion of respondents, particularly those in larger industries such as construction and manufacturing, report more negative views. This mixed sentiment suggests that while many businesses remain hopeful, certain sectors face challenges that may impact their future growth.
Export & Investment Barriers
Customs and border procedures, along with logistics and transport costs, remain prominent barriers to trade, illustrating ongoing challenges in navigating cross-border operations.
On the growth front, labour costs and a shortage of skilled workers emerge as key concerns, underlining the importance of tackling workforce-related issues. Many members identify immigration rules and strengthening the UK-EU relationship as key regulatory priorities, highlighting the need for smoother talent mobility and closer collaboration in the post-Brexit landscape.
Economic Overview
Source: ONS
Sources: UK Parliament & INSEE
Sources: ONS & INSEE
Sources: ONS & INSEE
Sources: Bank of England & European Central Bank
Source: Department for Business & Trade
Overall, these findings highlight a steadfast Franco-British business community that acknowledges the persistent rise in operational expenses but remains confident about long-term opportunities. Challenges around customs, logistics, and labour persist, yet the overall sentiment is more confident than last year’s, with the majority viewing the UK as a market ripe for growth.