UK businesses slash investments due to soaring prices and Brexit

As many firms are now planning to cut investment as to increase it, latest polls find

UK business leaders are slashing investment plans as soaring prices, Brexit trading difficulties and political uncertainty all leave bosses pessimistic about the economic outlook.

As many firms are now planning to cut investment as to increase it, according to the Institute of Directors' latest poll of business chiefs. That is the weakest reading since October 2020, as nervous firms rein in spending.