UK’s position as a financial services leader is under threat

14th July 2025 Commercial Credit Management |

Four in ten (39%) senior financial professionals working in the UK say the country’s dominance in financial services has weakened in recent years, according to research by CRIF. As a result, nearly half (44%) say they no longer consider the country a global leader in financial services, with the top reasons behind this including Brexit’s…

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GDP fell by 0.1% in May – industry reaction

Latest ONS data has shown that GDP unexpectedly fell by 0.1 per cent in May, marking a second consecutive monthly decline. This follows April’s decline of 0.3 per cent and underscores the challenge the Government’s faces in terms of the overall economy. Manufacturing, retail, and energy sectors saw notable drops, including weaker car production and…

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Concern raised that Ofwat billing change will impact business customers

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) is concerned that Ofwat’s decision to change the billing accuracy requirement in the Customer Protection Code of Practice (CPCoP) will negatively impact business customers. The consumer watchdog strongly believes the change to the code, which now states that retailers only need to issue one customer bill a year based…

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One in five SMEs are currently struggling to pay tax bills

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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Global business optimism hits lowest level since 2023

A new Dun & Bradstreet report has highlighted the lowest level of business optimism for the upcoming quarter since late 2023.  Following a 12.9% drop in optimism for Q1 and a modest 1.3% drop for Q2, the Global Business Optimism Index declined another 6.5% amid continued macroeconomic uncertainty and mounting supply chain concerns around the world. The…

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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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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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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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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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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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Director banned owing HMRC more than £1m

27th June 2025 Commercial Credit Management |

The boss of four companies, which owed HMRC more than £1 million, including £400,000 in VAT they falsely reclaimed, has been banned as a Director. Hassan Waqar was the director of HN Restaurants Limited, Kiani Construction Limited and Moneemint Ventures Limited when they submitted falsified documents to HMRC. A fourth company, Zoya Investments Limited, failed…

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AI boosts productivity and profitability for businesses

The vast majority of businesses using AI say the technology has helped them to boost their productivity and profitability according to new research from Lloyds’ Business Barometer. The data showed that of the 59% of UK companies currently using AI, more than three quarters say it has improved their productivity (82%) or profitability (76%). Productivity…

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Lending Standards Board announces closure

The Lending Standards Board (LSB) has announced it will close. The UK’s non-statutory regulator will begin a solvency wind-down of its business operations, scheduled for 31st October 2025. The LSB’s decision to close follows the withdrawal from registration by the UK’s largest high street banks, who said that the FCA’s Consumer Duty provided sufficient protection…

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