15.10.201722:32:00UTC+00UK Businesses’ Brexit Jitters Eased Slightly - Deloitte

The Brexit jitters of some of the U.K.'s largest businesses have eased marginally over the past three months and confidence is higher from a low hit following June's surprising election outcome, according to a survey by accountants Deloitte.

The poll of chief financial officers who make investment decisions at Britain's largest firms showed that the proportion who think Brexit will pull down the business environment has declined to 60 percent from 72 percent in the previous survey.

The survey was conducted between Sept. 14 and Oct. 4, which indicates that the majority of the responses came ahead of the political infighting in the ruling Conservative Party and another inconclusive round of negotiations on the terms of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union.

The Deloitte poll's headline measure of business morale also increased after plunging following Prime Minister Theresa May's sudden failure to hold a parliamentary majority in an early election she called for June 2017.

The prospects of withdrawing from the EU in March 2019 continues to be a huge concern for businesses. UK economic growth has also fallen behind its peers.

Economic consultants EY ITEM Club forecast Britain's expansion to slow to 1.4 percent in 2018 from 1.5 percent in 2017, well below record averages of more than two percent.