Andy Burnham’s Plans Surrounding Investments: The Westbrooke Associates Perspective

Since taking office in July 2026, Burnham has spoken about building a pro-business culture and an innovation-led economy, supporting British start-ups and scale-ups and encouraging greater cooperation between government, businesses and investors. For private investors, this raises an important question: what could the government’s new direction mean for investment in growing UK companies and the wider alternative investment market?

As such, these developments are particularly relevant to Westbrooke Associates, given our focus on opportunities across EIS, SEIS, private companies, property and bond-based investments. Changes in government policy, support for UK businesses and the wider economic environment can all influence the conditions in which these opportunities operate, making it important to consider the broader investment landscape as it continues to evolve.

Westbrooke Associates Looks at Andy Burnham’s Plans for UK Investment

In his statement to Parliament on 1st September, Burnham described his aim of creating an innovation-led economy and specifically referred to backing UK start-ups and scale-ups so that successful businesses can continue to grow in the country in which they were founded.

The government has also promised a stronger relationship with the private sector, with greater certainty, faster decision-making and greater involvement for businesses in policymaking. This is particularly significant for growing companies, where access to capital is fundamental to supporting expansion, recruitment, innovation and longer-term development.

Government support alone cannot provide all of the capital required by ambitious and growing businesses, which is why private investment continues to play an important role in helping companies develop, recruit, expand and bring new ideas, products and services to market.

For investors willing to look beyond traditional listed markets, this renewed focus on UK enterprise could therefore create a more supportive environment for private investment. As such, developments in government policy, business funding and economic growth are likely to remain important areas to watch.

What Could Burnham’s Plans Mean for EIS Investment?

The Enterprise Investment Scheme, better known as EIS, is already an established part of the UK’s approach to encouraging investment into smaller, higher-risk private companies.

EIS provides eligible investors with a range of significant tax reliefs in return for accepting the additional risks associated with investing in qualifying businesses.

The latest HMRC figures demonstrate the scale of the market. During the 2024 to 2025 tax year, 3,735 companies raised approximately £1.575 billion through EIS. Around £333 million was raised by companies using EIS for the first time.

Moreover, the Finance Act 2026 increased the annual and lifetime investment limits for most companies raising finance under EIS. For non-knowledge-intensive companies, the limits increased to £10 million in any 12-month period and £24 million over the company’s lifetime. Qualifying knowledge-intensive companies can receive up to £20 million in a 12-month period and £40 million over their lifetime.

That change sits comfortably alongside Burnham’s stated ambition to help British start-ups and scale-ups remain and grow in the UK. For Westbrooke Associates and investors interested in EIS opportunities, this is an area worth watching closely.

Westbrooke Associates on the Growing Role of SEIS

The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme, or SEIS, focuses on businesses at an even earlier stage of their development. These businesses naturally carry significant risk, but the scheme provides enhanced tax incentives to eligible investors to encourage investment into young UK companies.

Encouragingly, recent figures suggest that interest in SEIS continues to grow. HMRC reports that 2,430 companies raised £276 million through SEIS during 2024 to 2025. This represented a 14 per cent increase in the amount raised compared with the previous year, while around 1,775 companies raised funds under SEIS for the first time.

Moreover, this growth is particularly relevant in the context of the government’s wider emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation and support for early-stage UK businesses. It also underlines the continuing role of private capital in helping younger companies secure the funding they need to develop and grow.

Burnham has repeatedly spoken about supporting start-ups and scale-ups and major UK pension providers are exploring the establishment of a new UK Scale-up Fund of more than £1 billion, with the British Business Bank working alongside the providers to support its development. This is intended to increase the amount of growth capital available to promising British science and technology companies.

Not every growing business will qualify for EIS or SEIS and government support for entrepreneurship does not remove the risks associated with early-stage investment. However, the political focus on keeping successful young businesses in Britain could make this an increasingly important part of the investment landscape.

Why Are Private Investors Paying Attention to UK Start-ups and Scale-ups?

The challenge for policymakers is not simply creating new businesses. It is helping successful British companies find the funding they need to move beyond the start-up stage.

Burnham told Parliament that his government wants to build a pro-business culture and an innovation-led economy across the UK, with businesses, academia and government working more closely together.

Moreover, he has also said he wants Britain to become the world’s leading “innovation nation”, with greater backing for scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs and creatives. He has linked this directly to helping British businesses remain at the forefront of new technology and compete internationally.

As such, this creates an interesting environment for private investors, since early-stage and growth investment gives individuals the opportunity to participate in businesses before they reach the public markets. Schemes such as EIS and SEIS can add tax advantages for qualifying investors, although these investments remain higher risk and should always be considered carefully.

The latest HMRC statistics show that substantial amounts of private capital are already being channelled into UK companies through these schemes. The government’s emphasis on growth could make the relationship between private capital and British enterprise even more significant.

What Could the Current Economy Mean for Bond Investors?

Bonds are another area investors may be watching closely. The current economic picture is not without challenges. On 2nd September, the UK 10-year gilt yield reached its highest levels since August 2007, amid a wider global bond sell-off and renewed concerns around inflation and borrowing costs.

This is important for the wider fixed income market. When interest rates and government bond yields are higher, investors naturally pay closer attention to the income available from different types of investment.

Corporate and other non-government bonds may offer fixed rates of interest, depending on their terms and may be structured differently from investments in company shares. However, they also involve different risks, including the financial strength of the issuer, the security supporting the bond, liquidity and the ability of the issuer to repay investors.

The wider economic environment can therefore make income-producing investments more interesting to examine, but headline interest rates should never be considered in isolation.

Is 2026 an Important Year for UK Private Investment?

There are several reasons why 2026 is proving significant for investors interested in private markets. The government is openly talking about attracting investment, supporting British businesses and helping start-ups and scale-ups grow. EIS limits have increased and SEIS investment has continued to grow, whilst private capital is being discussed as part of the solution to funding innovation and economic expansion.

At the same time, the UK faces economic uncertainty, higher borrowing costs and an important Autumn Budget on 28th October, which could bring further changes affecting businesses and investors.

That combination makes this a particularly important period to follow. It does not mean that every investment is attractive or that now is automatically the right time for every individual to invest. What it does mean is that there is a great deal happening within the UK private investment market and investors may want to understand the opportunities available to them.

Westbrooke Associates and the Changing UK Investment Landscape

Westbrooke Associates continues to follow the political, economic and market developments affecting private investment in the UK.

As the appointed agent for a select portfolio of exclusive investment opportunities, our focus includes EIS and SEIS qualifying companies, private businesses, UK property and alternative investment structures including bonds.

The Prime Minister’s focus on British businesses, innovation and private capital makes the months ahead particularly interesting. As further announcements are made, Westbrooke Associates will continue to examine what they could mean for investors and the companies seeking capital to grow.

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Explore the current alternative investment opportunities represented by Westbrooke Associates by visiting the website or contacting the Investment Relations team for further information.

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Investments involve risk. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change. Prospective investors should undertake their own due diligence and seek appropriate professional advice where required.