2026 Credit & Collections Technology Awards shortlist announced

Credit Connect has announced the shortlist of companies and partnerships for this year’s ninth annual Credit & Collections Technology Awards. The finalists for this year’s awards consist of 112 entrants (whittled down from nearly 130 entries) from over 60 companies on the shortlist. There are also 20 partner entries in the running to win across…

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FCA sets out steps to support small businesses’ access to finance

A review by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found no evidence that its regulation is a major barrier to SME access to finance. Many of the challenges identified relate to wider market, information and capability challenges.  The review found that the challenges are often greatest for microbusinesses, which make up 95.5% of all SMEs…

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Inflation tops 3%, spelling bad news for the Chancellor ahead of a difficult Autumn Budget

17th September 2026 Industry opinion |

CPI inflation rose to 3.1 per cent in August, up again from 2.9 per cent in July, in line with market expectations, driven largely by higher petrol and diesel prices, the Resolution Foundation said today (Wednesday). With price rises not expected to peak until the winter, the renewed climb has ramifications for families, the Bank…

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Help to Save scheme take-up remains low with millions still missing out

17th September 2026 Consumer Lending | #housing

New statistics published by HMRC today show 293,000 people currently have an open account with the Government’s Help to Save scheme. Due to a widening of eligibility to all working Universal Credit claimants, the number of people opening accounts has risen by around 53% year on year. While this is a welcome rise, up to…

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Four in five say paying off debts is important before retiring

17th September 2026 Consumer Lending | #retirement

New research from Standard Life has found that among those aged 55-70 with a defined contribution pension found 90% of those yet to retire want to have their finances as simple and straightforward as possible before retiring, whilst over half of all those aged 55-70 with a DC pension (54%) view retirement as an opportunity to…

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