Financial services and the UK: the public’s verdict
Jamie Selig
A strong majority of the public believe the financial services sector is essential to the UK’s economic future, according to new polling by Public First.
The survey of 2,012 UK adults found that 61% believe a strong financial services sector is essential to the UK’s future economic success, while only 22% believe it does little for the wider economy.
Positive views of the sector are shared across the political spectrum. Around two-thirds of Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Reform voters believe financial services are important to the UK’s success:
- 68% of Conservative voters
- 68% of Liberal Democrat voters
- 66% of Labour voters
- 63% of Reform voters
Green voters were more sceptical, although a majority (54%) still viewed the sector positively.
The public are split evenly on the influence of financial markets in politics
Voters are evenly divided on the role of financial markets in political decision-making. When offered a choice between two competing statements, voters split:
- 40% for “Financial markets have too much influence over decisions made by elected governments.
- 40% for “Financial markets improve political decision marking by requiring elected governments to budget prudently.
Left-leaning voters are more likely to believe the financial markets have too much influence – although only Green voters held this view by a majority (54%). Labour voters were closely divided at 46% to 42% respectively.
By contrast, only 30% of Conservative voters believe financial markets have too much influence, compared to 57% who believe they improve decision making.
Market confidence matters more than political change
When tested in practical terms, voters placed greater emphasis on maintaining market confidence than delivering political change.
When asked which statements comes closest to their view:
- 52% said “the next Prime Minister must maintain the confidence of financial markets and investors in order to govern effectively”
- 33% said “the next Prime Minister should prioritise delivering political change, even if financial markets react negatively”
Only Green voters are more likely to prioritise ‘political change’ over maintaining market confidence – with 50% backing the statement. Conservative and
Labour voters strongly supported maintaining market confidence at 65% and 57% respectively.
Despite positive views of the industry – there is little public appetite for watering down regulation on financial services.
Despite broadly positive views of the financial services industry, the public show little appetite for reducing regulation or encouraging greater risk-taking.
When given a choice between growth and stability:
- 32% agreed that “The UK should allow the financial services sector to take more risks if this helps drive investment and economic growth.”
- 52% agreed that “The UK should prioritise financial stability and consumer protections, even if this limits investment and economic growth.”
The public were similarly cautious about major changes to the UK’s post-2008 bank ringfencing regime.
When asked which is closest to their view:
- 64% agreed that “Financial stability should be the priority.”
- 26% agreed that “Economic growth and prosperity should be the priority.”
Notes
Public First online opinion poll, with a nationally representative sample of UK adults (n=2,012), conducted 15 to 16 May 2026.
These findings form part of Public First’s ongoing research, policy and advisory work on financial services.