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'Investment magnet' financial services injected huge £281bn into º£½ÇÊÓÆµ economy

Financial services have been a key battleground in the spat between the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ and EU over market access, with the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ government recently unveiling plans to make the City more competitive

London Skyline (Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Financial services contributed £281bn to the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ economy and provided approximately 2.5m jobs, as per a new industry-led report.

The sector, which plays a crucial role in the Square Mile's business landscape and manages trillions of pounds in assets, has navigated several tumultuous years marked by Brexit negotiations, a pandemic, and tariff upheaval, as reported by .

A fresh report from TheCityº£½ÇÊÓÆµ suggests that financial services have emerged as a driving force for º£½ÇÊÓÆµ economic growth in the post-Brexit era. The research underscored that financial services' economic output reached £281bn in 2024, enhancing gross value-added, a key metric in calculating º£½ÇÊÓÆµ growth figures.

Productivity levels – or output per hour – in financial services are nearly triple that of the entire economy, according to TheCityº£½ÇÊÓÆµ. The average output generated by the whole economy was £39.30 an hour in 2023.

Financial services seem to have elevated the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ figure beyond what it would have been, given that only seven areas of the economy exceeded the national average compared to numerous sectors producing less each hour.

International investment 'magnet'

As an international investment 'magnet', º£½ÇÊÓÆµ financial services have attracted a cumulative total of £51.2bn in foreign direct investment in the four years leading up to 2024, largely due to a surge in 2020.

Anjalika Bardalai, chief economist at industry group TheCityº£½ÇÊÓÆµ, highlighted that financial services are a "strong magnet for international investment" and have swiftly adapted to shifts in demand, with an increasing number of consumers seeking technology-assisted decision-making.

"In the midst of domestic and international policy turbulence, acknowledging the industry's broad contribution is crucial for devising strategies that will protect and enhance its competitiveness, ensuring it continues to drive º£½ÇÊÓÆµ prosperity," Bardalai stated.