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\t\tReeves tax policies have dented founders confidence. (Image: PA)\t<\/p>\n\t\t\tThursday 19 March 2026 11:01 am\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\tReeves tax policies have dented founders confidence. (Image: PA)\t<\/p>\n
A fifth of British entrepreneurs<\/a> expect to leave the country in the next 12 months as confidence in the government sinks to a new low.<\/p>\n Fresh data from the Entrepreneurs Network has revealed the growing fears of a \u2018brain drain\u2019 could be set to escalate<\/a> with just over one in five founders pencilling in plans to ditch the UK.<\/p>\n It follows a string of controversial fiscal policies from Rachel Reeves in a bid to shore up the public finances, which have targeted a number of the nation\u2019s biggest \u2013 or aspiring \u2013 wealth creators.<\/p>\n This has included the Chancellor abolishing the non-dom regime, applying VAT to school fees and freezing income tax thresholds.<\/p>\n Around 86 per cent of the 272 entrepreneurs surveyed by the network said the Labour government does not understand their needs. <\/p>\n Philip Salter, founder of The Entrepreneurs Network<\/a>, said: \u201cEntrepreneurs are inherently optimistic, so when confidence drops to this extent, it\u2019s worth paying attention. <\/p>\n \u201cFounders are telling us that the current climate is making it harder to invest, hire and innovate \u2014 and that has long-term implications for the economy.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tRead more<\/p>\n \t\t\tFemale entrepreneurs favour human connection as many see isolation a challenge<\/a><\/p>\n \t\u2018No party understands founders needs\u2019<\/p>\n The founders also reported major difficulties across raising investment, with three quarters of those surveyed citing concerns in the area.<\/p>\n