London cannot compensate for UK-wide challenges facing entrepreneurs, writes Opinium head of policy James Crouch

London has long been recognised as a global centre for business and innovation. Despite the capital’s many advantages, however, the UK has not ranked among the top 20 global markets for entrepreneurs since 2019. So why is the UK struggling to maintain its reputation as a leading hub for startups and business growth?

The recently released Opinium Global Entrepreneurship Index gives us a clue. The index evaluates 137 countries across five ‘pillars’ that determine the attractiveness of a country for entrepreneurship. Since 2011, the index has highlighted both strengths and weaknesses in the UK’s business landscape. Unfortunately, despite London’s key advantages, systemic challenges continue to hold the UK back, preventing it from reclaiming a spot among the world’s best markets for entrepreneurs.

The UK’s lagging digital infrastructure

One of London’s long-standing strengths has........

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