Digital and Technologies was the largest sector by fundraising, taking £11.6 billion, or 80.8 per cent of all UK equity investment in the period. Barclays said the number of digital and technology businesses rose in every UK region. Barclays and Beauhurst put the number of UK businesses active across the eight sectors named in the Government’s Industrial Strategy at more than 1.3 million. Wales recorded the largest percentage increase of any UK nation or region, with investment rising 530 per cent to £159 million. Defence intentionsBarclays’ Business Prosperity research found that 40 per cent of UK businesses surveyed across multiple sectors intend to increase their involvement in UK defence over the next year.