Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
Nearly half (49%) of UK SME decision makers are positive about the year ahead – rising from 43% this time last year – but ongoing tax and cost burdens continue to impact growth prospects and productivity, according to new research from Simply Asset Finance. Carried out ahead of the Autumn Budget, the research highlights that…
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As many as seven in ten (71%) high-value decisions made by UK businesses are based on incomplete or partial data, according to a new study from EY. The research surveyed 250 leaders of UK companies with revenues above £100 million. In the last year, of these companies’ high-value business decisions – defined as decisions involving…
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New research from Capital Economics, commissioned by SME lender iwoca, has found that SMEs receiving a loan can increase their monthly revenues by an average of 19%. The analysis is based on data from current accounts of thousands of iwoca customers, finds that taking a loan is associated with an increase in revenues of nearly a fifth (19%) within…
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Retail footfall has declined for the sixth consecutive month, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Total activity fell by 0.7% in October, led by drops in shopping centre and retail park footfall. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said “While overall footfall fell for the sixth consecutive month, there was some…
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New research by Purbeck Insurance Services has revealed that one in three SME loans has a personal guarantee (PG) in place. With 36% of these loans for working capital to keep the business afloat, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being urged to avoid any further measures that would raise operating costs and increase the burden on…
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The latest IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leader optimism in prospects for the UK economy, remained at historic low levels of -73 in October 2025, little changed from -74 in September, which was the lowest reading of the Index on record. Business leader’ confidence in their own organisations crept up to ±0,…
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Thousands of small businesses could close over the next year due to rising tax bills and falling revenues, according to an Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). survey. Thirty per cent of small firms expect to downsize or shut, while 55% report lower incomes. FSB’s Small Business Index (SBI) for Q3 shows overwhelming pessimism, with the…
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Latest Red Flag Alert data has revealed a 78% year-on-year increase in ‘critical’ financial distress as higher taxes on businesses, economic uncertainty and inflation weighed on the UK economy. As of 30th September 2025, 55,530 companies were in ‘critical’ financial distress, a 12.6% rise on the previous quarter (Q2 2025: 49,309). Notably, this rise in ‘critical’…
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A proposed £1.7 billion business rates tax increase on large businesses could jeopardise 120,000 jobs, industry leaders have warned. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and UK Hospitality have expressed concerns over the Chancellor’s plans to raise business rates for superstores, hotels, and restaurants, arguing that it could lead to site closures. The proposals could mean…
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Latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data has shown that inflation held at 3.8 per cent in the year to September. Core Inflation came in at 3.5% in the 12 months to September, down from the 3.6% in August and below the forecast 3.7% forecast by the market Commenting on inflation figures for September, ONS Chief…
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One in five of the 64 profit warnings issued by UK-listed companies during Q3 2025 cited the impact of weaker consumer confidence, the highest proportion recorded for this cause since 2022 and up from just 6% during the same period last year, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report. While 19% of all profit warnings referenced falling…
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UK SMEs say specific Government initiatives designed to help them survive and grow don’t go far enough, according to new research from independent funder, Bibby Financial Services (BFS). The Q3 2025 SME Confidence Tracker, which surveys 1,000 UK SMEs, reveals that over half (52%) of small businesses believe measures such as the Fair Payment Code,…
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Rising insolvencies and supply chain shocks are quickly depleting emergency cash cushions, according to trade credit insurer Atradius. The report shows that UK SMEs face a widening resilience gap— the difference between the cost of escalating business risks and the limited accessible liquidity they hold to withstand them. Cash buffers that once offered protection are…
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