# UK Economic Policy Criticized Amidst Business Exodus and Investment Decline Rising taxes and regulatory uncertainty drive major corporations to divest from British markets. - **Source:** [Daily Express :: Finance Feed](https://www.express.co.uk) - **Published:** 2026-10-16 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4b93d533-934c-4cbe-8cdf-6ff4ad331b2a ## Business Creation Hits Lows The United Kingdom has seen 160,000 businesses close within the last six months alone. Business creation rates have plummeted to their lowest levels in decades, signaling a severe contraction in the domestic market. Critics argue that current Labour Party policies prioritize increased government spending over fostering a stable environment for private enterprise. ## Energy Policy Stifles Investment Ed Miliband’s ban on new North Sea oil and gas drilling has severely impacted energy security and investment. Major players like Equinor have threatened to halt further UK investments if projects like Rosebank and Jackdaw remain stalled. This regulatory uncertainty forces companies to seek more predictable environments for their capital-intensive energy operations. ## Corporate Exodus to Venezuela BP, a FTSE 100 stalwart, has sold its North Sea assets and shifted its exploration focus to Venezuela. Despite the Latin American nation's history of economic instability, corporate leaders now view it as a more viable investment destination than the UK, citing the 78% windfall tax on North Sea oil production. ## Engineering Sector Retreats Jim Johnson, CEO of Hunting, has shuttered 80% of his group's UK operations, declaring the country less investable than Venezuela. He explicitly blamed the nation's volatile political climate and untrustworthy leadership for his decision. The firm has abandoned hope for future growth within the UK, opting to focus on more stable international markets. ## Financial Services Under Pressure Chancellor John Healey labeled the banking sector a jewel in the crown, yet reports suggest he is considering hiking windfall taxes on banks. Jamie Dimon of JP Morgan warned that such levies could jeopardize a planned £3 billion investment, potentially harming consumer credit access, slowing economic growth, and increasing mortgage rates nationwide. ## Lack of Entrepreneurial Spirit Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently visited the UK, criticizing the nation for lacking necessary entrepreneurial spirit. He suggested that British leadership consistently finds reasons to avoid success rather than pursuing opportunities. This high-profile critique highlights a growing perception among global tech leaders that the UK is becoming increasingly hostile to innovation. ## Wealth and Talent Flight The UK experienced a record departure of 69,000 workers last year, reflecting a broader trend of talent migration. Bloomberg reports that the country has lost approximately £120 billion in wealth as billionaires and high-net-worth individuals loosen their ties. This exodus suggests a significant erosion of the nation's long-term economic base and competitiveness. ## Urgent Need for Reform The combination of high energy costs, aggressive taxation, and regulatory unpredictability creates a challenging environment for businesses. Unless the government shifts its approach, the current trend of capital flight and industrial decline is likely to accelerate. The economic consequences of these policy choices threaten to leave the nation significantly poorer in future. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/2257871/andy-burnham-just-made-britain-global-laughing-stock-new-venezuela — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._