Business investment growth in the United Kingdom decelerated markedly in the third quarter of 2026, easing to 0.4% quarter-over-quarter from 1.8% in the previous three-month period. The latest figures, updated on 12 November 2026, highlight a significant loss of momentum compared with the second quarter, when investment had posted a much stronger gain.
The current reading reflects a comparison of the change in business investment in Q3 2026 relative to Q2 2026, while the previous figure captured the change in Q2 2026 versus the first quarter of the year. The sharp slowdown suggests that, although companies are still increasing capital spending, they are doing so at a far more cautious pace than earlier in the year.
The weaker quarter-on-quarter performance may signal rising uncertainty or a more guarded outlook among UK firms as they assess conditions heading into the final months of 2026. Investors and policymakers will be watching upcoming data closely for signs of whether this softer trend in business investment persists into the fourth quarter.
