Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
New research has revealed that while SME confidence in Government remains fairly lukewarm, this support is fragile in the face of mounting economic pressures and uncertainty – and may well turn sour without urgent action on tax and costs at the Autumn Budget. The survey of 1,000 SME leaders and decision makers, commissioned by FTSE…
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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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Business confidence sank to its lowest level in three years as record high tax worries ravaged firms ahead of next month’s Budget, according to research by ICAEW’s Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) quarterly index. Sentiment in Q3 stood at -7.3, down from -4.2 in the previous quarter. Confidence is now at its weakest level since Q4…
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The percentage of small business owners predicting growth has fallen for the fourth consecutive Quarter to a new five-year low (25%) – and in every industry sector, the percentage of enterprises predicting growth is down on the start of the year, according to new tracking research from Novuna Business Finance. Following last summer’s General Election…
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New data from Millbrook Business Finance has found that four in ten (35%) said access to affordable finance is one of their biggest challenges. The survey data asked SMEs what the single biggest challenge facing their business right now, with 14% highlighting rising operational costs, whilst 14% noted economic uncertainty, and 13% cited late payments. A…
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Latest data from Allica Bank has revealed that 48.5% of brokers have seen an increase in applications over the past six months. That’s up from 40% in Q4 2024, and comes despite a period marred by global uncertainty, trade tensions, high costs, and the introduction of higher employer National Insurance contributions. Only 20.3% of brokers…
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The IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leaders’ optimism in prospects for the UK economy, rose to -61 in August 2025 from -72 in July. The August reading of the Index takes us back to the sort of levels seen immediately after last year’s Budget, having dropped to its worst reading on record…
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The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has reported that over 800 late-night venues have closed since 2020, marking a 26.4% decline in the sector leaving just 2,424 late night venues still operating. According to the research, compiled by the NTIA and CGA by NIQ, losses have stepped up over the past three months with three…
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Firms across the private sector expect activity to fall in the next three months (weighted balance of -18%), extending a run of negative sentiment that began in late 2024, according to latest Confederation of British Industry research. The downturn is expected to be broad-based, with business volumes in the services sector set to decline (-19%),…
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UK-listed companies issued 59 profit warnings during Q2 2025, a 20% rise compared to the same period last year (49), according to EY-Parthenon’s latest Profit Warnings report. The leading factor behind profit warnings during the second quarter was policy change and geopolitical uncertainty, cited in nearly half (46%) of warnings. This marked a significant increase…
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Around one in five SMEs believe it will become more difficult to pay tax bills in the year ahead as business tax rises come into effect, new research from Premium Credit shows. The study by the leading provider of finance for businesses found worries about paying tax bills are a long-standing issue for SMEs but…
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New analysis from Premium Credit has shown that the Construction sector borrows the most to fund insurance premiums. The Professional and Scientific sector saw the most growth in terms of using credit for insurance. The data showed that 54% of SMEs use some form of credit to pay for insurance premiums, borrowing an average of…
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More parts of the economy saw higher activity levels in May, according to the latest UK Sector Tracker from Lloyds. Four of the 14 sectors monitored by the Tracker grew in May – two more than in April. Software services expanded at the fastest pace (55.8), while food and drink manufacturing (51.1) grew for the…
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