Deloitte (UK): Policy Changes Worry UK CFOs

Policy change has emerged as the biggest concern for UK chief financial officers, ahead of economic uncertainty, according to the Deloitte UK CFO Survey for Q2 2014. The 28th quarterly survey of chief financial officers and group finance directors of major companies took place last month.

CFOs were asked to rate (on a scale of 0 to 100) the level of risk individual policy issues pose to their business. CFOs gave the 2015 General Election and a potential referendum on the UK's EU membership ratings of 55 and 50 respectively. Interest rate rises and tightening of monetary conditions were rated at 46, volatility in emerging markets rated at 45 and a housing bubble was given a 39 rating. The referendum on Scottish independence was given a 38 rating by CFOs.