{
  "id": 10872840,
  "title": "UK business confidence hits 17-month low as Middle East tensions lift costs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/uk-business-confidence-hits-17-month-low-as-middle-east-tensions-lift",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-30T05:51:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/economic-indicators/uk-business-confidence-hits-17month-low-as-middle-east-tensions-lift-costs-93CH-4924127"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "British business confidence has plummeted to a 17-month low, according to a Lloyds survey, as Middle East tensions have driven up energy costs and raised concerns over inflation and the broader economy. The Lloyds Business Barometer fell 12 points to 41% in September, its lowest level since April 2025, although it remained above the survey's long-term average of 30%. Economic optimism dropped 18 points to 31%, while pessimism rose to 21%, as businesses grappled with higher energy prices, rising costs, inflation, and global uncertainty.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "Temasek to expand in the Middle East, plans to open offices in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/temasek-to-expand-in-the-middle-east-plans-to-open-offices-in-riyadh",
        "published": "2026-09-30T08:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Bloomberg",
        "title": "Singapore’s Temasek to Ramp Up Middle East Push, New Offices",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/singapores-temasek-to-ramp-up-middle-east-push-new-offices",
        "published": "2026-09-30T08:00:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}