An increasing number of chief financial officers expect Britain's long-term business climate to worsen after the U.K. leaves the European Union.

Eighty-nine British companies' heads of finance participated in a Deloitte survey between March 26 and April 7, 2019. More than 80 percent predict a deterioration of business conditions, the most since the Brexit referendum in June 2016, Deloitte said in its quarterly survey. About half the CFOs expect to reduce hiring and capital expenditures in the short term, with 22 percent planning to freeze merger and acquisition plans, according to the survey.

Brexit-related turbulence is making it harder for companies to deal with rising costs and tighter credit conditions. About half of the CFOs will prioritize increasing cash through the year, while predicting a decline in revenue for 2019, according to the survey.