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If you employ people in your business, you already have plenty of things to remember for their terms of employment. Well, since 6th April there are two more — and not being ready for them could land you in trouble. Changes to Flexible Working Rules The Covid lockdown finally put paid to the already dying traditional model of working, where everyone came into a workplace and stayed from nine till five. Depending on th

The last quarter of 2023 saw the UK going formally into recession, and that’s bound to affect the mood among small businesses. It’s not a coincidence that a survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found that businesses felt more pessimistic during Q4 than Q3. Lower Levels of Optimism Among Small Businesses The FSB’s Small Business Index for the final quarter of 2023 found a reduction in s

None of us like to think of our companies facing insolvency, but unfortunately that can be the reality of business, especially at the moment. Record numbers of business insolvencies are being recorded, so it’s vital for Directors to be clear what they should and shouldn’t do — preferably before they’re faced with the choices. What Is Insolvency? Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 sets out variou

The Federation of Small Businesses reported that, for the 4th quarter of 2023, 40% of small businesses reported a fall in revenue, and confidence had also plummeted. Which makes it more surprising that, according to research by three separate organisations, optimism is high among small businesses for 2024. Expectations for Growth in Turnover In a recent poll by lender Iwoca, 47% of small businesses were expecting an

Loans can be essential for the growth of small businesses, and as long as they’re managed carefully, they’re entirely positive. Investing for growth is a way that SMEs can lead the economy out of its current stagnation — but there’s a problem. Banks are increasingly asking directors of small businesses to provide personal guarantees for loans, often putting their homes on the line. The Federation of

The cost-of-living crisis is hitting us all, to some extent, but it’s hardly a surprise that the worst hit are the most financially vulnerable people. For many, the only way out seems to be taking on debt, which can lead them into a debt spiral it’s hard to break — and this is especially a risk over Christmas. Debt Patterns in 2023 Recent figures show that, on average, 22% of people in the UK have fallen

Small businesses doing business with giant corporations have traditionally had no choice but to put up with accepting the customer’s payment terms — sometimes having to wait months before getting their money. This can leave their cashflow in a dangerous condition, even threatening their ability to continue trading. The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, on 22nd November, addressed this issue. The measures he

In my last post, I talked about the effect of liquidation on a company’s directors, mentioning that one potential problem arises if a director has a Director’s Loan Account with the company. So, what exactly is a Director’s Loan Account, and what are the dangers if the company is liquidated? What Is a Director’s Loan Account? A director is entitled to draw funds from the company as a loan, and

In any time of economic uncertainty, there’s likely to be an increase in companies going into liquidation. The recent collapse of Wilko has focused our attention on this issue, and no doubt many company directors are feeling nervous. The position of a director of an insolvent company can be problematic in certain circumstances. In general, however, there shouldn’t be too much to worry about. Insolvency fo

Eighteen months after the last Covid restrictions were lifted, it might be expected that SMEs would be relying less on new technology, especially technology allowing their employees to work from home. However, a survey last month suggests this is far from the case. SMEs Are Still Relying on Technology A study in September by Novuna Business Finance shows that 67% of small business owners consider technology to be hav