PE players negative on UK

According to the most recent quarterly survey conducted by the British Venture Capital Association (BVCA), the proportion of private equity investors viewing the UK as an unattractive place to do business is up from 7% in September 2007 to 29% in the latest survey. These are by far the most negative results reported in recent memory on this measure. Furthermore, looking ahead into 2008 there is increasing pessimism about the overall attractiveness of the UK’s economic environment. The majority (70%) are expecting a worsening of the UK’s economic environment, an increase from the 48% reported in September. Despite the pessimism reported relating to the UK economy overall, there has been little difference in the past three months regarding members’ own business and fundraising climate.