Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
The Resolution Foundation has warned that 2026 could be a turning point for UK productivity, but expects short-term pain from the collapse of struggling ‘zombie’ firms. Rising interest rates, energy costs, and higher minimum wages are likely to force inefficient businesses to exit the market, creating opportunities for more productive replacements. The Foundation says that…
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A KPMG survey has found that two-thirds of people believe the economy is worsening. Despite almost no change in how households feel about their own finances throughout the past year, 2025 saw a steep decline in sentiment towards the economy. Entering 2026, the majority of people (56%) feel secure in their personal finances, a 1%…
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The UK economy unexpectedly contracted by 0.1% in October, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows, matching the 0.1% decline recorded in September. Economists had anticipated growth of 0.1%. Quarter-on-quarter, the economy shrank by 0.1% in three months to October, primarily due to a decline in manufacturing and stalled services growth. Production output…
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The UK economy grew by 0.1 per cent in August, according lates to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data, after contracting by 0.1 per cent in July. The data comes ahead of the Budget next month and new forecasts by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) which have said that the Chancellor Rachel Reeves…
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The UK economy grew just 0.3% in the second quarter (Q2), down from 0.7 per cent in the first, according to latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) Growth slowed from 0.7% in Q1, with services up 0.4% and construction up 1.0%, offset by a 0.8% fall in production. The figures show resilience but also highlight…
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The UK government may be celebrating favourable tariffs with the USA and new trade deals with countries outside the EU, but the vast majority of UK small businesses are now focused on the domestic British market to secure growth over the next 12-months, according to new research from Novuna Business Finance. The nationally representative survey…
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The UK economy is expected to grow by 1.3% in 2025, revised up from the previous forecast of 1.1% according to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). The BCC says that the upgrade reflects better-than-expected economic performance in Q1, supported by public spending. However, GDP is expected to slow slightly in 2026 to 1.2%, before…
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Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG shows that retail sales in the UK increased by 2.5% year on year in July, with this driven by warm weather and major sporting events. Total retail sales increased by 2.5% year on year in July, against a growth of 0.5% in July 2024. This was…
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Total like-for-like retail sales (in-store and online) grew by just +2.8% in July, compared to a base of +3.0% in July 2024, according to the latest High Street Sales Tracker from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. Sales in bricks-and-mortar stores grew by just 0.8% compared to July 2024, delivering a result significantly below inflation and therefore…
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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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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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More than 7,000 British businesses are set to see their electricity bills slashed by up to 25% from 2027, as the Government unveils its new Industrial Strategy. Lowering energy costs for thousands of businesses by exempting them from some green energy levies will be the central part of the refroms. The modern Industrial Strategy sets out a…
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The UK economy is facing considerable domestic and international headwinds that are set to weigh on growth prospects this year and into next, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) latest Economic Forecast. While the economy began 2025 on a strong note, our surveys suggest that underlying activity remains sluggish due to persistently weak…
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