Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
More than half of UK businesses plan to increase investment in AI over the next year, according to a Barclays survey of 900,000 firms. The report found that 68% of companies plan to invest in cybersecurity, while 54% expect overall investment to grow. Six in ten firms are already using AI agents to improve productivity…
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The percentage of UK small businesses citing barriers holding their business back from growing has hit a six-year peak (84%), with the impact of overseas conflict on energy and fuel prices in the UK now a serious concern for one in three enterprises (32%), according to new findings from Novuna Business Finance. The data show…
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New data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has shown that furniture and health and beauty products are among the items that have risen most in recent weeks, driving an increase in shop prices of 1.2% year on year in May, with the rate slightly above the three-month average of 1.1%. High oil prices and…
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The Government has announced that the Small Business Protections Bill has been introduced to Parliament, aiming to end the scourge of late payments. The Small Business Protections Bill (formally known as the Commercial Payments Bill) delivers the toughest crackdown on late payments in a generation – putting a clear duty on large firms to pay…
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More than half (57%) of businesses say a combination of supply chain pressures and higher energy and fuel costs are among their biggest challenges as they grapple with the impact of conflict in the Middle East, according to new research from accountancy and advisory firm BDO. The bi-monthly survey revealed that supply chain pressures including…
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The conflict in the Middle East is forecast to weigh on the UK economy and exacerbate longstanding challenges for retail and hospitality businesses, according to the new EY UK Economic Outlook. The analysis shows that, prior to the outbreak of the conflict in the Middle East, UK GDP was on track to grow by 1.3% in…
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UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are facing a wave of mounting pressures, with recession fears hitting a two-year high and concerns over energy costs and supply chain disruption rising sharply, according to iwoca’s latest SME Expert Index. The survey found that 70% say their SME clients are worried about the conflict’s impact on energy…
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The number of SMEs using some form of credit to pay for one or more insurance policies has significantly increased, according to new research from Premium Credit. The data, which monitors insurance buying and how it is financed, shows 90% of SMEs use some form of credit when they buy insurance, compared with 54% recorded…
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UK businesses facing ‘critical financial distress’ have surged by 36.9% to 62,193 in Quarter1, according to BTG, while those in ‘significant distress’ rose 9.6% to 634,867 Rising labour costs, higher National Insurance contributions and sustained energy price pressures are hitting margins, particularly in hospitality and leisure. Industry experts warn that many “zombie” businesses are now…
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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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UK retail sales fell sharply over Easter as concerns over the Iran conflict weakened consumer confidence according to data from the Confederation of British (CBI) Industry which showed its retail index dropped to minus 68 in April, the lowest level since records began in 1983. Most retailers reported declining sales and expect conditions to worsen…
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New figures on small business lending reveal a 65% surge in applications for Personal Guarantee Insurance in Q1 2026. The data from Purbeck Insurance Services, shows the scale of risk that comes with running a small business, as more directors sought cover in the first quarter of 2026 than at any time previously, each having…
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Almost half (49%) of the 55 profit warnings issued by UK-listed companies in Q1 2026 cited the impact of policy change and geopolitical uncertainty as a leading factor, according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report. Since the start of the conflict in the Middle East on 28 February, more than two in five (42%) of…
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