Scale-Up Founders Lack Confidence in Andy Burnham’s Pro-Business Stance

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New research published by Helm reveals that just six per cent of Britain’s top scale-up founders believe Prime Minister Andy Burnham backs the private sector. Drawing on members with a combined revenue of £8bn, the survey exposes a deep trust deficit ahead of the late October Budget, as 83 per cent of entrepreneurs expect business conditions to stagnate or worsen.

The Trust Deficit Facing Downing Street

Britain’s private sector is signaling profound skepticism toward the executive branch. According to membership group Helm, which surveyed over 400 scale-up founders representing £8bn in combined revenue, private sector confidence remains severely depressed. Andreas Adamides, the chief executive of Helm, pointed directly to a widening trust deficit despite recent government initiatives.

Adamides noted that while the administration avoided imposing the tax hikes seen over the previous two years, leadership ultimately owns the current fiscal reality. Scale-up leaders are calling for immediate structural reassurance rather than rhetorical support. Reversing the employers’ national insurance rise within the first 100 days of the term stands out as a primary demand from business leaders seeking proof of government alignment with wealth-creation goals.

Upcoming Fiscal Pressures and the Late October Budget

The sentiment polling precedes a high-stakes fiscal event scheduled for late October. During the recent Makerfield by-election campaign, Prime Minister Burnham hinted at addressing added business costs originating from Rachel Reeves’ national insurance hike. That specific tax measure had previously extracted roughly £25bn more in annual government revenue while constricting the domestic jobs market and youth employment.

Healey must simultaneously service mounting debt interest costs projected to exceed £110bn for the current financial year. Compounding these fiscal constraints, the government faces persistent pressure to elevate defense spending to three per cent of gross domestic product by 2030, an expansion that would add approximately £9bn annually. Cabinet ministers have received directives to locate internal departmental savings, though the depth of upcoming cuts remains uncertain amid energy price shocks rippling outward from the conflict involving Iran.

Manufacturing Sentiment and Capital Flight Risks

Broader industrial indices mirror the pessimism found within scale-up boardrooms.

Adamides warned that the business community cannot absorb another summer defined by speculation over wealth taxes and exit charges. Without decisive intervention from Downing Street, private sector investment flows risk remaining sidelined as businesses brace for autumn fiscal announcements.

As corporate leaders prepare for the autumn fiscal statement, enterprise risk management remains paramount.

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