UK regions and nations

10 ideas for the government's 10-year plan

26 October 2026

5 minutes

We have called for a clear roadmap for more consistent and ambitious devolution across England, alongside stronger local growth partnerships across the UK.

Our work through our Regions and Nations programme, which has seen us work with national, devolved and local leaders since 2017, has reenforced our view that decisions are often best taken closer to the communities and businesses they affect. Empowered local leadership must be matched by meaningful business engagement so that investment, skills and economic development plans reflect the experience of employers and investors.

We have offered to connect No 10 North with business leaders, investors and industry experts. Our partnership with government on the Scotland Investment Accelerator Programme and the Strategic Investment Opportunities Unit demonstrates how industry expertise can help build stronger pipelines of investable projects.

1 Rewire the British state to support prosperity in every postcode

We have called for a clear roadmap for more consistent and ambitious devolution across England, alongside stronger local growth partnerships across the UK.

2 Build skills for the future

We have urged government at every level to work with industry on a more responsive skills system that reflects employer demand and regional labour markets.

Our priorities include greater flexibility in the Apprenticeship Levy, support for retraining throughout people’s careers and locally tailored partnerships connecting employers, education providers and communities. We continue to support the Financial Services Skills Commission and the Yorkshire and Humber Financial and Professional Services Skills Commission.

3 Finance excellent public services over the long term

We have made the case that excellent public services depend on a strong, predictable and sustainable tax base – and on the UK remaining internationally competitive for capital, talent and investment.

Our industry contributed an estimated record £110.2bn in tax revenue, equivalent to 12.3% of all UK tax receipts. Frequent changes, sector-specific increases and additional levies risk weakening investment and, ultimately, the tax base.

We have also called for a long-term programme of tax simplification. HMRC estimates that businesses face at least £15.4bn a year in compliance costs. We believe HMRC should have an objective to support growth and international competitiveness, bringing greater discipline to the design and administration of the tax system.

4 Finance defence and resilience

We have proposed a structured partnership between government and industry to support the UK’s defence, resilience and national security objectives.

Public spending alone will not meet the scale of the challenge. Government and industry need to unlock institutional and private capital through a clear pipeline of investable opportunities, long-term policy certainty and a regulatory environment that improves investor confidence.

5 Finance a sustainable and climate-resilient economy

We have called for a coherent, long-term transition strategy, supported by sector-specific roadmaps and delivery plans to support the transition to a clean energy economy.

The UK’s public finance institutions can share risk, crowd in private investment and support innovative financing for emerging technologies and infrastructure. This partnership will be essential to strengthen energy security and compete for internationally mobile capital.

Adaptation is also an economic priority. The Climate Change Committee estimates that the UK needs around £11bn of investment each year in adaptation and resilience. With deep capital markets and world-leading insurance, reinsurance and risk-modelling expertise, the UK can become a global leader in climate resilience and adaptation finance.

6 Connect capital to national priorities

We have highlighted how closer collaboration between government and the financial and related professional services industry can mobilise capital for infrastructure, housing and energy.

Capital is available, but too many projects struggle to progress at the pace and scale required. Planning reform, long-term infrastructure pipelines and effective blended finance can create a more predictable environment for investment and delivery.

Our work with the Office for Investment and the Strategic Investment Opportunities Unit shows the value of combining government and industry expertise to remove barriers and develop investable opportunities.

7 Create a nation of investors

In our report with PwC, ‘No time to lose: Reasserting UK leadership in financial and related professional services’, we set out a 10-year vision that includes building a genuine nation of investors – spreading opportunity and the benefits of investing to every postcode.

We have asked HM Treasury (HMT) to lead a cross-government strategy that aligns tax, regulation and education. Priorities include financial education at key life stages, a stable and simple ISA regime, stronger links between household savings and UK growth, and the removal of barriers to investing in UK businesses.

Digital identity and a fully digitised system for recording ownership of shares and bonds would also make investing simpler and more accessible.

8 Lead at the forefront of technology

We have welcomed the appointment of a Cabinet-level AI Minister and a Wholesale Digital Markets Champion and have offered to work with them to turn technological leadership into stronger growth and productivity.

Our proposals include a joined-up roadmap for tokenisation and digital market infrastructure, clearer supervisory guidance for responsible AI adoption, an interoperable approach to digital identity and faster digitisation of processes such as homebuying and small and medium-sized enterprise finance.

The UK also needs investment in technology and data skills, alongside coordinated preparation for emerging technologies, including quantum.

9 Boost international trade and investment

We have urged government to put financial and related professional services at the heart of its trade and economic diplomacy agenda.

The UK should build on its relationships with the US and Europe while deepening engagement with high-growth corridors linking India, ASEAN, the Middle East and Africa. Government and industry should develop clear propositions that improve market access, support long-term commercial relationships and attract investment to the UK.

We have also proposed a more coordinated ‘Team UK’ approach for international firms and investors, continued support for trusted cross-border data flows and digital market access, and stronger bilateral dialogues between industry, regulators and policymakers.

10 Build a regulatory and legal system fit for the future

We have called for a simpler, more proportionate, predictable and modern regulatory environment that supports innovation, investment and growth while maintaining high standards.

A strategic review of the boundary between retail and wholesale services would help ensure requirements reflect the scale and true risk of activities. Regulators also need deeper expertise in complex wholesale and capital markets, tokenised assets, private capital and next-generation market infrastructure.

The UK must also recognise legal services as a strategic growth industry. They contribute £38bn to the economy, generate an £8.9bn trade surplus and employ around 364,000 people. Continued investment in courts, digital infrastructure and dispute resolution will sustain confidence in English law and the rule of law.

Next steps

These 10 ideas reflect a strong alignment between the government’s ambitions and the priorities of our industry. Delivering them will require government and industry to work together with purpose and urgency at UK-wide, national, devolved and local levels.

We will continue to engage government on these proposals and work with members to develop the detail.