New data from the Current Account Switch Service finds that UK SME decision makers might be optimistic for the year ahead, but a considerable proportion (24%) of those surveyed admit that they regularly feel anxious because of business worries. The poll of over 2,000 respondents found that continued and increased revenue (43%) and more work […]
New research from Bibby Foreign Exchange (BFX), reveals that UK SMEs trading abroad remain hamstrung by circumstances borne out of Brexit, as the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union approaches its four-year anniversary. Data from BFX’s 2024 Trading Places report finds that more than half (55%) see the ongoing impact of Brexit as a significant challenge, ranking second only to […]
Small businesses are finding it harder to access finance and are seeing credit costs rise, according to new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The figures show barely more than half (53%) of SME credit applications were successful in the final three months of 2023, significantly down from a 62% success rate in […]
Contractors, freelancers and small business owners are focused on building up cash savings but that is hitting retirement savings, new research from Workwell shows. The study by Workwell and IPSE found three out of four (75%) save regularly into cash accounts but just over half (51%) put money into their pension each month. However nearly […]
Twice a year we ask business leaders across the country to share their aspirations for the next six months and track business confidence. Our latest Owner Managed Business (OMB) survey carried out in December 2023 looks at these consistent measures as well as new issues affecting UK businesses today. Our latest survey findings show […]
The British Business Bank announces today that the third iteration of its Recovery Loan Scheme (RLS) has supported £1bn of finance offers to smaller businesses since its launch in August 2022. The guarantee scheme, which has more than 60 participating lenders, has enabled lending to smaller businesses across the whole of the UK. Approximately two […]
More than eight in 10 small businesses (85%) plan to invest in sustainability measures in the coming year, with energy efficiency ranking as the top priority for 2024 – according to new research from Novuna Business Finance. The survey asked a representative sample of 1,000 small business leaders which investments they were thinking of making […]
The number of UK sectors reporting growing demand more than doubled in December 2023, according to the latest Lloyds Bank UK Sector Tracker, amid relatively slower inflation and stable interest rates. In December, seven of the 14 UK sectors monitored by the Tracker saw demand, as measured by new orders, increase – more than twice […]
Time Finance, a leading provider of funding solutions to UK SMEs, is ramping up its support for businesses in 2024 amidst new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which shows that business insolvencies exceeded 25,000 in 2023. Responding to the ONS’ latest data, Time Finance is cautioning that while inflationary pressures on businesses […]
Business activity at UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expanded at the fastest rate for seven months in December, led by renewed growth in the service economy. Adding to signs of a steady turnaround in business conditions, new orders stabilised at the end of 2023, which ended a five-month period of reduced workloads. The headline […]
