The confidence of financial services professionals in the UK’s economic prospects has risen in the past six months, according to the latest survey by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.

The 45,000 member professional body, whose members work in Financial Planning, wealth management and capital markets, said that the UK’s rapid roll out of a Covid-19 vaccination programme has boosted positive economic sentiment.

Respondents were asked the question: “How do you feel about the UK’s economic prospects now compared with six months ago?” 

Nearly 1,000 replied with 18% saying they were optimistic with 12% less optimistic and 70% neutral. 

This compares to the last CISI survey on this topic in winter 18/19, when 55% were negative, 21% were positive, with 24% neutral.

The CISI confidence indicator (the sum of positives less the sum of negatives) is 6, reflecting the same level of positivity recorded for the same survey during winter 2015. The poll has been conducted on average every six-12 months since spring 2012. The latest survey was undertaken from December 2020 to March 2021. 

Positive respondents’ comments included:

• “Being ahead on vaccines feels like it will provide an economic advantage.” 
• “Things are going to take off. Although China has moved into dominant position.  Britain has done well through the vaccine distribution but only time will tell regarding the merits of Brexit. Short term it will do well especially as we are not at negative rates like the EU. “
• “If the EU doesn’t knock out London as the financial capital, I think the UK could enjoy some enduring growth in 2022-23 and beyond.” 
• “A Brexit deal with Europe and our vaccination programme set us up very favourably now to go out into the world and promote our skills as a nation. Need to invest in education and infrastructure, especially [energy] power.”

Negative comments included: 

• “Leaving the EU was a ridiculous move that will cause tremendous damage to the Brits. It would have been smarter to go to the EU leadership with 51% support to reduce EU fees, as the EU leadership does drain countries financially with little benefit.” 
• “I feel there is an element of make-believe propping up the markets temporarily. Structurally the economy (and not just the UK economy) is severely strained. The next few years are going to be very difficult.” 
• “Ballooning public and private debt, falling incomes, rising unemployment, end of furlough, end of property market stamp duty relief, increased post-Brexit export costs, oh, and an on-going pandemic.”

Simon Culhane, Chartered FCSI, CISI CEO said: “The result of our survey matches the recently reported GfK UK consumer confidence index, which showed the highest level since before the first March 2020 lockdown -16 points, the largest monthly jump in almost a decade. 

“Our survey outcome is also in line with the latest IPSOS MORI poll, which reported that economic confidence is the highest since 2015. A deal with Europe on equivalence would provide greater confidence and help to embed the promising recovery.”