LoanTube launches SME lending platform

Digital credit marketplace, LoanTube has announced the launch of its SME brokerage platform, bringing the speed, intelligence and transparency of its consumer lending platform to small and medium-sized businesses. Emerging from two years of stealth development, LoanTube’s SME brokerage matches applicants to a diverse panel of more than 50 finance providers including major high street…

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Almost half of small business owners don’t have a business credit card

New research by Capital on Tap has found that 46% of business owners don’t have a business credit card, with 54% of consumers actively avoiding them The data also showed that 36% of business owners have never owned a business credit card, and 54% of consumers said they actively avoid using credit cards. For business…

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SME loans for working capital fall by 24%

Latest data from Purbeck Insurance Services has found SME loans for working capital fell 24% in Quarter 1 (Q1) 2025.  The number of SMEs needing finance to keep their business on an even keel has not been this low since Q3 2024, based on Purbeck’s data. In contrast, refinancing deals grew dramatically year on year…

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UK rises up the list of attractiveness for investment

Deloitte’s latest survey of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) reveals that finance leaders view the UK as the most attractive destination for investment, alongside India, with 13% describing it as very or somewhat attractive. Richard Houston, Senior Partner and Chief Executive of Deloitte UK, said “These results reveal a shift in sentiment with the UK now…

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High street sales slump continues

Total like-for-like retail sales in discretionary categories (fashion, homewares and lifestyle) remained below inflation in June, compared to a positive base of +3.2% in June 2024, according to the latest High Street Sales Tracker from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. The disappointing performance was driven largely by low sales growth in stores, at just +0.6% compared…

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Tax concerns hit business confidence

Confidence among British businesses has significantly declined due to Labour’s tax policies, according to a survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), revealing that 56% of firms are worried about their tax burden. While price rise expectations have eased back from near historic highs in Quarter 1, tax remains the biggest concern cited by…

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Business growth expectations remain weak

A survey from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) indicates that private sector businesses anticipate a decline in activity over the next three months. The companies expect activity to fall at a firm pace in the three months to September (weighted balance of -18%). Expectations are less negative relative to May, but extend a period…

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Institute of Directors appoints Special Adviser

2nd July 2025 Appointments |

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has announced the appointment of Liz Barclay as Special Adviser for Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Barclay will work with the IoD to advise on ways that SMEs can adopt technology to help create a growth mindset and risk appetite which will allow them to succeed. Jonathan Geldart, Director General of…

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Global tariffs significantly impacting SMEs costs

UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are being significantly impacted by the upending of the global trading environment, propelled by the US administration’s tariff policies, according to new research from independent funder Bibby Financial Services (BFS). BFS’s Trading Places report, which surveyed over 500 UK SMEs that trade overseas, found over half (55%) see…

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Building contractor ordered to repay Covid loan with interest

A West London building contractor who overstated his company’s turnover by almost £200,000 to secure a maximum-value Covid Bounce Back loan has been banned as a director and ordered to repay the money he was not entitled to. Tahir Haq obtained a £50,000 Bounce Back loan for building completion and freight transport company Integral Maintenance…

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North West businesses see spike in demand for SME funding

Online businesses in the North West are securing much larger advances than their southern counterparts, reflecting the region’s growing digital economy and the impact of regional investment in tech hubs. The median advance approved for online businesses in the North West of the country has now increased by 483% year-on-year, to an amount of £175,000…

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New Companies House measures begin

A new Government report has highlighted how Companies House is transforming from a passive register to an active gatekeeper, providing examples of how the agency is actively tackling economic crime and improving register data. Key to Companies House progress is strengthened collaboration with The Insolvency Service and other law enforcement agencies to present a unified front…

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Business confidence falls

The IoD Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leaders optimism in prospects for the UK economy, fell back to -53 in June 2025, having risen to -35 in May. Business leaders’ confidence in their organisations also fell to +3, having reached +15 in May. Investment intentions fell to -10 in June 2025, from ±0…

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