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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Simply Asset Finance has joined the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) as a Patron lender, further strengthening its commitment to supporting professional brokers across the UK’s commercial finance sector with flexible, tailored SME lending products. Mike Randall, CEO of Simply Asset Finance said “Brokers are the backbone of SME lending in the UK. Their…
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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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The National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) has announced the appointment of Charlotte Loomes as its new Operations Director, as the trade body continues to expand its membership and strengthen its operational capabilities. Loomes joins the NACFB with extensive industry experience, having held senior operational roles at NACFB Patron Arkle Finance and Member firm Tower…
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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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Skipton Business Finance (SBF) has appointed Katrina Nolan as Head of Restructuring and Recoveries. Nolan joins SBF from Close Brothers, where she served as Recoveries Manager (North) since 2019, managing all recoveries across commercial and corporate lending portfolios. Her earlier career includes senior client-care and customer-facing roles at Moorepay and HBOS/Lloyds Banking Group, bringing a…
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The boss of a property maintenance company who lied about his turnover to secure a maximum-value Covid Bounce Back Loan has been jailed. Craig Smith set up C.A.S. Property Maintenance (Midlands) Limited in April 2020. The 42-year-old applied for a Covid Bounce Back Loan in August 2020 using his own name as the loans were…
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Two key enablers of a scheme designed to undermine insolvency legislation by allowing business owners to keep their assets and drop debts have been banned as company directors. Sisters Karen Mortimer and Joanna Seawright put the creditors of 138 companies at risk of financial loss after taking control of the businesses which were referred to…
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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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A bankrupt builder who persuaded a customer to pay him more than £30,000 for home improvements he never completed has been sentenced. Wayne Miller deliberately concealed his status as a bankrupt from his victim and abandoned the building project in Canterbury when it was nowhere near finished. He also promised to repay the customer for…
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Plans to retire or step back are the primary motives for business owners looking to sell as part of business acquisition deals, commercial finance brokers have told SME funding provider Asset Advantage. When asked what are the main reasons why business owners are looking to sell, nearly seven in ten commercial finance brokers (69%) said…
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