UK faces financial literacy crisis as households misjudge credit risks

The UK is facing a growing financial literacy crisis, with millions of households navigating credit without fully understanding how it works, according to new research from Creditspring.  As borrowing becomes faster and more accessible, consumers risk making costly, but entirely avoidable, financial decisions. Across the UK, understanding of even the most basic credit concepts remains…

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Third of people use ‘No‑spend February’ to tackle life admin

Research from the Current Account Switch Service shows that a third of people (34%) say ‘No‑spend February’ is the point in the year when they finally tackle the life admin tasks they have been putting off, from cancelling unused subscriptions to checking whether their financial products still offer great value. The findings highlight the financial…

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Government announces water bill support reform

The Government has announced that hundreds of thousands of households will benefit from lower water bills after the Government announced a major reform of WaterSure.   Low-income households that use high amounts of water can qualify to have their bills capped. They must have a water meter and either a specific medical condition or three or…

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PKF Littlejohn Advisory announces Partner promotions

9th March 2026 Appointments | #appointments

PKF Littlejohn Advisory has announced that it has promoted Oliver Collinge and Stratford Hamilton to Partners. Hamilton heads up the PKF Littlejohn Advisory Contentious Insolvency team and has played a central role in several significant and high-profile matters, including the extensive and highly complex investigation into Public Interest Lawyers. Collinge handles all aspects of restructuring,…

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One in high street businesses go cashless

One in seven high street businesses has transitioned to cashless payments in the past year, according to a survey by ATM and cash access network Link. The research revealed that 77% still accept cash. Despite this shift, 46% of in-person transactions remain cash-based. The biggest driver to becoming a ‘cashless’ business was fraud prevention (22%) followed…

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FLA Members provided £163 billion of new lending in 2025

9th March 2026 Consumer Lending | #lending

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that FLA members across the asset finance, consumer finance and motor finance markets provided a record £162.8 billion of new lending in 2025, 5% higher than in 2024. Of this total £40.3 billion was provided to businesses for investment in machinery, equipment, and vehicles,…

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SMEs embrace AI as half consider replacing headcount with technology

New research from Paragon Bank has shown that SMEs are rapidly adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI), with half of businesses (50%) saying they are likely to replace some staff roles with AI or other technology‑based solutions. One in four (24%) SME leaders have no plans to reduce headcount through AI, while the remainder remain uncertain about…

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One in three have done nothing to prepare for their death

6th March 2026 Consumer Lending | #cost of death

New research from Aegon’s Money has found that one in three adults has done nothing to prepare for their death, while 83% of adults say financial preparation for death matters with 43% deeming  it ‘very important.’ A third (32%) have taken no steps at all, with only 38% having written a will, 26% having communicated…

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Asset finance business grew by 1% in 2025

Latest figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that total asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew by 3% in December 2025 compared with the same month in 2024.  In 2025 as a whole, new business was 1% higher than in 2024. The business equipment finance and plant and…

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Hampshire Trust Bank appoints Deputy Managing Director

6th March 2026 Appointments |

Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has promoted Henry Manley-Cooper to Deputy Managing Director of Bridging Finance. Manley-Cooper joined Hampshire Trust Bank as a senior underwriter within the second line credit function and has since contributed to strengthening credit discipline and commercial alignment across the bridging business. In his new role, he will report to Alex Upton,…

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Second charge mortgage new business grew by 17% in 2025

New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that second charge mortgage new business volumes grew by 17% in 2025. Commenting on the latest new business figures for the second charge mortgage market, Fiona Hoyle, Director of Consumer & Mortgage Finance and Inclusion at the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), said “The…

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R3 appoints Northern Ireland Chair

6th March 2026 Appointments |

Restructuring, turnaround and insolvency specialist R3 has announced that it has appointed Scott Murray as its new Chair in Northern Ireland. Murray, who is Managing Director at Keenan CF, will support R3’s programme of events and represent the interests of restructuring and insolvency professionals across the country. A licensed insolvency practitioner, Murray brings extensive experience…

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Consumer finance grew by 6% last year

Latest figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer finance new business grew by 10% in December 2025 compared with the same month in 2024. In 2025 as a whole, new business in this market was 6% higher than in 2024. The credit card and personal loans sectors together reported new business…

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