| Practice area: | Data & technology |
|---|---|
| Client: | Starling Bank |
| Published: | 5 February, 2026 |
| Keywords: | SMEs AI adoption digital technologies economic modelling productivity |
To understand the economic opportunity adoption of digital financial tools present to UK SMEs, London Economics undertook economic modelling using the survey data gathered from SMEs. The model uses survey evidence on time savings, staff involvement and adoption levels and links the time saved on routine financial tasks to higher economic output at firm and economy level, scaled using official ONS business population data.
Digital financial technologies were found to offer a huge opportunity to increase the productivity of the UK’s SMEs. The study demonstrates how digital financial tools can dramatically reduce the time spent by SMEs on administrative tasks, boosting productivity and allowing SME leaders to focus on their core business and growth of their firm. Our analysis shows that these tools have already delivered cost savings and efficiency gains of between £45.8 and £59.0 billion. Yet, a vast amount of untapped potential remains; further adoption could unlock additional economic benefits of between £18.4 to £25.3 billion annually.
Read the full study here.