‘Made in Britain’ needs more than markets – it needs credit
7 July 2025
A run of new trade deals has lifted the outlook for UK businesses after years of anemic growth. Access to alternative sources of capital, including securities-backed finance, can help overcome some of the structural constraints that continue to hold them back.
The United Kingdom is stuck in a high-income trap.[1] The average British worker is about 20% less productive than peers in France and Germany, and 30% behind those in the United States.[2] Had pre-2008 growth trends held, annual income per capita would be £11,000 higher today.[3]
This lag is due to decades of under-investment — in capital equipment, R&D, training, and infrastructure. Nearly one-third of the productivity slowdown since the 2008 financial crisis is linked to a lower capital-to-labor ratio.[4]
British businesses fail to invest in capital, partly due to lower access to funding. Business investment in the UK has been the lowest among G7 nations for three consecutive years.[5]
A boost to trade could shift this trajectory. Exposure to global markets can lift productivity by pushing firms to raise standards, improve efficiency, and expand revenue. Despite an international environment of rising protectionism — particularly with US trade policy jolting global trade — the UK has managed to strike new trade agreements with the US, India, and Europe.[6][7][8] In May, a newly reconstituted Board of Trade met for the first time, placing exports as an important channel to boost economic growth.[9]
Access to credit key to capturing trade tailwinds
Exporters are already responding.
Made in Britain, an industry body, reports a surge in membership applications, and Q1 2025 data showed the UK was the fastest-growing G7 economy, partly due to pre-tariff stockpiling.[10][11]
UK trade volumes, badly hit during the pandemic, still lag those of other high-income countries.[12] That means the new trade deals have given export-oriented businesses an opportunity to grow. Mid-sized companies are especially important: just 13,000 account for nearly a third of the UK workforce, yet this segment often struggles to scale.[13] Expanding or exporting overseas is a top priority for many mid-sized businesses, according to an April survey of 500 such firms.[14]
Access to credit will determine whether such UK businesses can capitalize on tailwinds in British trade. Mid-sized firms consistently struggle to secure funding. Banks still demand burdensome personal guarantees, and the government says nearly half of SME loan applications are rejected. The UK has one of the lowest levels of borrowing by non-financial businesses among the G7 economies.[15]
In particular, “scale-ups” — rapidly growing, VC-backed firms — face a £15 billion (US$20 billion) annual funding gap, according to the Confederation of British Industry.[16]
Meanwhile, tight credit conditions persist, with the Bank of England expected to delay rate cuts due to inflation pressures — including an April surge and volatile global energy prices.[17] Wage hikes and payroll tax increases loom, further squeezing margins.[18][19]
Even as improving investor sentiment has lifted the FTSE 100 to a record high,[20] British businesses cannot fully ride the wave of improved global positioning without reliable access to credit.
For a country that urgently needs growth outside its financial services stronghold, enabling trade-oriented businesses to thrive is essential. UK’s new trading momentum offers a path forward — but only if funding ecosystems evolve to match.
Alternative credit will be important for this shift. For long-term shareholders or trading business owners, non-recourse securities-linked lending offers one route to unlock value and reinvest into operations.
From private credit funds to fintech-driven lending platforms, a more diverse and less risk-averse capital environment could bridge the financing gap.
The question facing the UK isn’t whether it can start businesses. It’s whether it can grow them. Growth will depend not just on where British goods can go — but whether British firms can access the credit they need to get them there.
[1] https://www.ft.com/content/bc830276-c8d0-465a-88fc-e06eb83be90b
[2] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/mar/12/uk-drops-down-list-of-affluent-nations-after-decade-of-stagnation-niesr-finds
[3] https://ifs.org.uk/news/decade-and-half-historically-poor-growth-has-taken-its-toll
[4] https://www.productivity.ac.uk/news/mind-the-capital-gap/
[5] https://www.ippr.org/media-office/revealed-investment-in-uk-is-lowest-in-g7-for-third-year-in-a-row-new-data-shows
[6] https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/05/uk-india-free-trade-deal/
[7] https://www.the-independent.com/politics/us-uk-trade-deal-trump-tariffs-savings-b2747901.html
[8] https://www.ft.com/content/befa60a3-916f-4c29-a0e9-8f4ded2e7807
[9] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/board-of-trade-meet-to-help-uk-exporters-take-advantage-of-new-trade-deals
[10] https://www.madeinbritain.org/news/membership-applications-surge-us-tariffs-impact-global-trade-may-25
[11] https://apnews.com/article/uk-economy-growth-g7-reeves-2d7b9761e53d3d490c3181a1fa89651b
[12] https://www.cer.org.uk/insights/perfect-storm-britains-trade-malaise-weak-growth-and-new-geopolitical-moment
[13] https://www.ft.com/content/9b0c51e5-e26f-4b3b-aacd-9a2658efe3c6
[14] https://www.bdo.co.uk/en-gb/news/2025/uk-mid-sized-businesses-target-new-international-trade-routes-amid-shifting-landscape
[15] https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/small-business-access-to-finance/small-business-access-to-finance
[16] https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/131004/html/
[17] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-18/uk-inflation-holds-at-highest-level-in-more-than-a-year
[18] https://www.wsj.com/economy/u-k-labor-market-cools-ahead-of-rise-in-payroll-taxes-cbd0337b
[19] https://www.pricebailey.co.uk/blog/how-will-the-nmw-rise-impact-smes/
[20] https://www.ft.com/content/9cebcd0c-e11a-4bbd-95f8-1ba075e3b66b
Disclaimer
Past performance does not guarantee future returns, and individual returns are not guaranteed or warranted.
This Document is intended solely for accredited investors, sophisticated investors, professional investors, or otherwise qualified investors, as may be required by law or otherwise, and it is not intended for, and should not be used by, persons who do not meet the relevant requirements. The content provided herein is for informational purposes only and is general in nature and not targeted to any specific objective or financial need. The views and opinions expressed in this Document have been prepared by third parties and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of EquitiesFirst. EquitiesFirst has not independently examined or verified the information provided herein, and no representation is made that it is accurate or complete. Opinions and information herein are subject to change without notice. The content provided does not constitute an offer to sell (or solicitation of an offer to purchase) any securities, investments, or any financial products (“Offer”). Any such Offer shall only be made through a relevant offering or other documentation which sets forth its material terms and conditions. Nothing contained in this Document shall constitute a recommendation, solicitation, invitation, inducement, promotion, or offer for the purchase or sale of any investment product by Equities First Holdings, LLC or its subsidiaries (collectively, “EquitiesFirst”), nor shall this Document be construed in any way as investment, legal, or tax advice, or as a recommendation, reference, or endorsement by EquitiesFirst. You should seek independent financial advice prior to making an investment decision about a financial product.
This Document contains the intellectual property of EquitiesFirst in the United States and other countries, including, without limitation, their respective logos and other registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks. EquitiesFirst reserves all rights in and to their intellectual property contained in this Document. The Document should not be distributed, published, reproduced or otherwise made available in whole or in part by recipients to any other person and, in particular, should not be distributed to persons in any country where such distribution may lead to a breach of any legal or regulatory requirement.
EquitiesFirst make no representation or warranty with respect to this Document and expressly disclaim any implied warranty under law. You acknowledge that EquitiesFirst is not liable under any circumstances for any direct, indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages whatsoever, including, without limitation, any lost profits or lost opportunity, even if EquitiesFirst has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
EquitiesFirst makes the following further statements that may be applicable in the stated jurisdiction:
Australia: Equities First Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd (ACN: 142 644 399) holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number: 387079). All rights reserved.
The information contained on this Document is intended for persons located in Australia only and classified as a Wholesale Client only as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. The distribution of information to persons outside this criteria may be restricted by law and persons who come into possession of it should seek advice and observe any such restriction.
The material contained in this Document is for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell financial products.
The information contained in this Document is intended to be general in nature and is not personal financial product advice. Any advice contained in the Document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. You should seek independent financial advice and read the relevant disclosure statements or other offer documents prior to making an investment decision about a financial product.
Dubai: Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Ltd (DIFC Representative Office) at Gate Precinct Building 4, 6th Floor, Office 7, Dubai International Financial Centre (commercial license number CL7354) is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”) as a Representative Office (DFSA Firm Reference No.: F008752). All rights reserved.
The information contained in this document is intended to be general in nature, and, to the extent that it is perceived as advice, any advice contained in this document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation, suitability of the financial products or your needs.
The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice, including an offer or solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell financial products. The information contained in this document is intended to be general in nature and any advice contained in this document is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation, suitability of the financial products or your needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided and the nature of the relevant financial product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.
This document relates to a financial product which is not subject to any form of regulation or approval by the DFSA. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with this financial product. Accordingly, the DFSA has not approved this document or any other associated documents nor taken any steps to verify the information set out in this document, and has no responsibility for it.
Hong Kong: Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Limited is licensed under the Money Lenders Ordinance (Money Lender’s Licence No. 1659/2024) and to carry on the business of dealing in securities (Type 1 licence) under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”) (CE No. BFJ407). This Document has not been reviewed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. It is not intended as an offer to sell securities or a solicitation to buy any product managed or provided by Equities First Holdings Hong Kong Limited and is only intended for persons who qualify as Professional Investors under the SFO. This document is not directed to individuals or organizations for whom such offers or invitations would be unlawful or prohibited.
Korea: The foregoing is intended solely for sophisticated investors, professional investors or otherwise qualified investors who have sufficient knowledge and experience in entering into securities financing transactions. It is not intended for, and should not be used by, persons who do not meet those criteria.
United Kingdom: Equities First (London) Limited is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”). In the UK, this Document is only being distributed and made available to persons of the kind described in Article 19(5) (investment professionals) and Article 49(2) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.) of Part IV of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (‘’FPO’’) and any investment activity to which this presentation relates is only available to, and will only be engaged in with, such persons. Persons who do not have professional experience in matters relating to investment or who are not persons to whom Article 49 of the FPO applies should not rely on this document. This Document is only prepared for and available to persons who qualify as Professional Investors under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive.
