Number of Briton looking to move abroad to increase: Study

The number of wealthy Britons who were looking to move abroad is expected to increase over the next two years, according to the results of a survey declared today, as concerns rise over infrastructure, red tape and taxes.

Around 19 per cent of people with savings and investments worth over £250,000 are considering making a move overseas, up from 17 per cent six months ago and 14 per cent a year ago, according to Lloyds TSB International Wealth.

The new figure suggested that over half a million people having the level of personal wealth may leave the UK in the next two years.

According to Lloyds, investing in better infrastructure was seen as the most important way to make the UK a more attractive place to live, with 61 per cent of wealthy people choosing this option.

However, cutting regulatory red tape for businesses, slashing taxes and improving public services including healthcare, education and the police were all high on the agenda.

According to Nicholas Boys Smith, director at Lloyds TSB International Wealth, the number of people expected to leave the UK included a "large number of successful, affluent individuals who play an important role in powering the UK economy".