Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
Lloyds Bank has cut its UK growth forecast to 0.5%, warning that the Iran conflict could trigger stagflation. The bank expects higher inflation, rising unemployment and a slowdown in the housing market. Elevated interest rates are likely to persist, further weighing on economic activity. Lloyds Business Barometer. shows that while overall business confidence fell 11…
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The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to keep interest rates on hold at 3.75%. At its meeting ending on 29th April 2026, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 8–1 to maintain Bank Rate at 3.75%. One member voted to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 4%. The conflict in…
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The Bank of England has maintained the base interest rate at 3.75% but warned that rates could increase this year as officials look to curb inflation following a ‘significant energy price shock’ from the conflict in the Middle East. The Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted eight to one to keep rates unchanged, with Chief…
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The IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leader optimism over prospects for the UK economy, rose to -64 in April 2026 from -76 in March, but remained close to historic lows. Business leaders’ confidence in their own organisations also rose, to +8 in April from -2 in March. The data showed that cost…
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Sonia Jordan, a solicitor and partner at Knights, with more than 30 years’ experience advising on corporate restructuring and recovery, has been appointed President of R3, the restructuring, turnaround and insolvency trade association. As President, Jordan will work with R3’s CEO, senior management team and Council to help shape and deliver R3’s strategy for the…
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Three million households are being forced to skip meals and cut family visits, according to new research from Which? Which?’s latest Consumer Insight Tracker shows that households across the country are having to take more and more drastic measures to mitigate rising costs. In the month to 10th April, analysis found consumer confidence fell to…
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Two men have been sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to a combined two years and eleven months for working together to sell fraudulent SMS spamming services online to fraudsters. The sentencing follows investigation and arrest by a specialist banking industry-sponsored police unit, the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU). Between June 2020 and November…
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New business debt resolution company, Rezolva, has launched with the aim of helping businesses recover overdue invoices faster. Late payment remains a persistent challenge for businesses. More than half of firms experience delayed or frozen payments, placing pressure on working capital and limiting growth. Rezolva focuses on early debt resolution. The aim is to help…
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Latest data from Rightmove has found that higher mortgage rates have pushed monthly repayments above the cost of renting for the first time since June 2025. The average advertised monthly rent across the UK is currently £1,547, compared to an average new monthly mortgage payment of £1,670. Rightmove used the current average asking price for…
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GB Bank has announced that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Says will retire from his role at the end of April 2026, he will be succeeded by Eddie Trahearn, currently Chief Strategy & Financial Officer, subject to regulatory approval. Since joining in 2021, Says has overseen rapid growth and transformation. Under his leadership, GB Bank…
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Britain is losing 3.4 pubs and restaurants per day, with more than 350 closures in the first quarter alone. Rising energy costs, higher taxes and weaker consumer demand are placing sustained pressure on the sector, with further closures expected throughout 2026. Soaring costs for businesses and consumers led to a 0.3% drop in Britain’s number of licensed premises in the…
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New research by Age UK has found that 3.4 million (28%) pensioners, more than one in four, are struggling financially, and nearly half of them have been struggling for three years or more. Notably, a fifth (22%) of those struggling, equivalent to 740,000 aged 66+ said they have been struggling financially for more than five…
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The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a review into whether Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) help consumers understand borrowing costs, with the regulator seeking views on whether it should change how these are communicated in credit advertising. APRs indicate the yearly cost of borrowing, including interest and fees. A representative APR means at least half…
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