The dynamism of the UK’s private sector has plunged to its lowest ebb for eight years as bigger firms hit the rocks and new company creation according to research by Cynergy Bank. The Bank’s research draws on latest ONS data finding that in 2024, new company formations plummeted to 306,995, the lowest since at least…
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Better access to mortgages, banning ‘harsh’ personal guarantees, and ensuring entrepreneurs can have a comfortable retirement will encourage more people to launch small businesses, research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows. The research found that a quarter (25%) of entrepreneurs say that being self-employed has made it more difficult for them to get…
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Small business owners across the are facing a harsh realitywith many are too overworked and financially stretched to take a much-needed holiday, potentially pushing themselves to the brink of burnout. According to new research from InsureandGo, a significant portion of the UK’s 5.51 million small business owners are missing out on holidays to keep their…
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More than a third (38%) of finance brokers say lower taxes are needed to boost SME growth this year, according to iwoca’s latest SME Expert Index. This is double the next choice of reforming business rates (19%). With almost three-quarters (70%) of finance brokers saying conditions for SMEs have worsened since the Labour Government took…
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Consumer confidence in the UK economy has plummeted to an 11-month low, with the British Retail Consortium’s survey revealing a net balance of -37 in February, a decline of 40 points since last summer’s general election. This is the fifth consecutive month in which expectations have worsened. The survey indicates that two-thirds of retailers anticipate…
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According to the Office for National Statistics, inflation jumped to 3% in January, up from 2.5% in December, marking the highest level since March last year. The increase was driven primarily by increases in the cost of transport, food, and non-alcoholic beverages (The Times). Private school fees were also a factor, rising by almost 13…
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New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that total asset finance new business (primarily leasing and hire purchase) grew in December 2024 by 7% compared with the same month in 2023. In 2024 as a whole, new business was 3% higher than in 2023. The commercial vehicle finance and plant and…
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Despite promising UK infrastructure investments announced, many small businesses could still be left with unanswered questions following the Chancellor’s speech on growth, leaving many uncertain of their ability to achieve their growth ambitions this year. Research from Simply Asset Finance, which surveyed 500 UK small business owners before and after the Autumn Budget, revealed that…
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A new EY ITEM Club forecast has predicted bank-to-business lending growth to increase from 2.9% in 2024 to 4.5% in 2025 – the highest rate since 2020 – and 5.6% in 2026 as borrowing rates continue to fall Bank lending to UK businesses grew by 2.9% in 2024, as falling interest rates boosted market confidence…
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A Bank business manager and his friend have been sentenced following an investigation into fraudulent accounts that helped them steal over £7.3 million. The two men from East London were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court to a combined nine-and-a-half years in prison for opening bank accounts used to launder money from fraud. The sentencing follows…
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Small business confidence hit its lowest recorded point outside the Covid pandemic in the fourth quarter of last year, according to FSB’s Small Business Index (SBI). The headline confidence reading fell from -24.4 points in Q3 to -64.5 points in Q4.This is a fall of 40.1 points, and the lowest reading on this measure since…
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Latest data from Money.co.uk has found that on businesses are facing 47-day payment delays. The FSB has described late payments as one of the ‘biggest problems’ facing small businesses and with the Government announcing plans to crack down on late payments with stricter laws to help smaller businesses and grow the UK economy The research…
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The UK economy grew by 0.1% in the final months of 2024 according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data showed growth in the quarter was driven by a range of industries, from pubs and bars to machinery manufacturers, having a strong December. Responding to the figures, ONS Director of Economic Statistics Liz…
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