Funding Britain's Growth

The UK’s alternative finance industry was worth £1.74 billion last year, up from £267 million in 2012, and has arguably been the fastest growing sector during the economic downturn. Nonetheless, traditional financing routes remain the big players in town, with less than one in ten companies attempting to secure capital from a non-bank source. This report explores the major political parties’ funding proposals for small and medium-sized businesses, the UK’s trade deficit, investing in British startups, the benefits of equity crowdfunding, and the funding lifeline needed for the creative industries