The survey of 1,000 UK business owners reveals that while they are prioritising AI and believe that the private sector should lead the charge on AI skills development, many want government support and incentives to sustain growth and remain globally competitive.

Businesses are all-in on AI, but financial barriers persist

Despite economic pressures, UK business leaders are not slowing down on AI investment, with 78% either increasing or maintaining current investment levels in AI, automation, and digital transformation. When asked if corporation tax was to be reduced in the Spring Statement, most business leaders (45%) would reinvest the savings into AI as their top priority.

The good news for the government is that most UK business leaders (58%) believe current government policies support business growth. Nevertheless, many are calling for greater investment in AI reskilling and workforce development. When asked about preferred tax reforms, tax breaks for workforce upskilling and training came out on top (28%), highlighting the need for AI proficiency across all levels of business.

AI investment gap across the UK could slow national growth

AI adoption in the UK is not equal across regions, and this imbalance could undermine the country’s AI-driven economic ambitions. Greater London leads the charge, with 54% of business leaders stating they would direct corporation tax savings towards investing in AI – well above the national average of 45%. London-based businesses are among the most active AI adopters, with 87% already currently investing in AI and data to cut costs and boost efficiency.

In contrast, Scottish businesses are more cautious, with just 34% of business leaders willing to allocate potential tax savings into AI. These regional disparities must be addressed with targeted government support to ensure AI-driven growth across the whole country.

Private sector ready to lead AI skills agenda – with the right backing

The UK government has set an ambitious target to train tens of thousands of AI professionals by 2030 under its AI Opportunities Action Plan. The private sector is ready to play a leading role, with the majority of UK business leaders (80%) stating their belief that the private sector should lead the charge on AI skills development. However, 38% say they need government support and incentives to make it happen.

Martin Tombs, Vice President – Move to Cloud for Qlik said: "The UK is talking a big game on AI. Businesses have bought in and it’s clear that the private sector is willing to lead on skills development, it just needs some support. AI investment is booming globally, and while over half of UK business leaders back current government policies to support growth, AI support is still lagging. Right now, London is leading the charge but other regions risk being left behind. If the UK wants to compete on the world stage, it needs to democratise AI access, ramp up reskilling, and give businesses real backing – through tax breaks and training incentives. The Spring Statement is an ideal time for the government to kickstart the next stage of AI-powered growth."

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.