The engine behind UK growth
14/07/2026
The Finance & Leasing Association (“FLA”) today said its members stand ready to support the Government's plans to drive economic growth by providing the specialist finance that enables businesses to obtain equipment, consumers to buy cars and households to invest in their homes.
Ahead of the Chancellor's Mansion House speech, the FLA said delivering sustainable growth will depend not only on public policy, but on maintaining a competitive financial services sector that helps investment flow into the real economy.
The FLA's recently published Impact Report, The Hidden Engine Behind UK Growth, highlights the essential role specialist lenders play in supporting investment across the UK. In 2025 alone, FLA members provided a record £163 billion of new finance to businesses and households, enabling businesses to acquire machinery, vehicles and technology, helping consumers purchase cars and other essential goods, and supporting households to invest in their homes. Every day, that finance supports jobs, productivity and economic activity in every nation and region of the UK.
Shanika Amarasekara MBE, Chief Executive of the Finance & Leasing Association (pictured above), said, ”The Government is right to focus on growth because growth begins with investment – when a business invests in new machinery, when a family buys a more efficient vehicle, or when a company adopts new technology to improve productivity.
"Our members are the hidden engine behind UK growth. As specialist lenders, they finance those decisions every day, turning ambition into investment, and investment into jobs, productivity and prosperity.
"The Chancellor's speech recognises the importance of a competitive financial services sector in delivering the Government's growth ambitions. We welcome that recognition and stand ready to work alongside Government, regulators and industry partners to turn today's ambitions into investment that benefits businesses, consumers and communities in every region in the UK."
The FLA said the Mansion House speech provides an important opportunity to strengthen the UK's position as a globally competitive financial centre while recognising the vital role specialist finance plays in supporting the wider economy.
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