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The cost of living crisis is hitting people in a wide variety of ways, and recent research has illustrated another. In the twelve months since January 2022, the number of people seeking help with their debts has increased more than threefold — and most cite rising prices as the main reason. The Rise in Debt Enquiries A survey was carried out by debt advisor MoneyPlus Advice, after they saw initial enquiries rise by 3

During 2022, a combination of soaring prices (especially energy prices) and income lagging behind pushed the economy into recession. The bad news is that, according to forecasts by KPMG, the recession is likely to last for the rest of 2023, with output falling by 1.9%. So why are things so bad, and what’s it likely to mean for you and your business? What’s Causing the Recession? The main driving force of the recessio

It’s hardly surprising that the current cost of living crisis has seen a sharp rise in people with problem debts. Recent figures suggest that one in three households have missed paying a bill in the past year, and this looks set to rise. In this atmosphere, calls have been growing for banks and credit lenders to take a more flexible and compassionate approach to repayment by vulnerable debtors. The Problem With Lende

When we set up a business, we’re not thinking of having to close it eventually. The reality is, though, that most businesses do eventually close, even if it’s after a good run. However, there are right and wrong ways of going about it. Why Might You Need to Close Your Business? It’s a sad statistic that a fifth of all businesses close within a year of being launched. There are various possible reasons. Maybe they hav

If you’re applying to the Insolvency Service for either a Creditors’ bankruptcy or a Company liquidation against someone who owes you money, a deposit is charged. This may or may not be returned, depending on the assets available. The charge for deposits has been stable since 2016, but next month it will be rising substantially. So what does this mean, if you’re considering applying? What Are Petition Deposits? If al

Two years ago, the government enacted Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006. The aim was to offer protection for companies during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing the option of arranging a sanctioned restructuring plan. This includes the possibility of a moratorium on the company’s debts. However, one aspect of this not specifically covered by the Act, and not previously tested in court, is the position of third-party gu

UK businesses are facing a wide range of challenges at the moment, but one of the leading issues is disruption to supply chains. Whether this is caused by the ongoing effects of the Covid 19 pandemic, the problems arising from Brexit or the war in Ukraine, either you or one of your suppliers might be running into serious difficulties. So how can you balance the need to nurture your business partners with the importan

With many businesses devastated by the Covid pandemic, government measures like furlough and bounce-back loans were often lifesavers. However, when the time came to start paying back, not everyone repaying as easy as borrowing. Sometimes this was due to ongoing challenges, but some cases were self-inflicted. Bounce-Back Loan Fraud — Convictions Begin Because of the urgency of the situation, bounce-back loans were oft

There plenty of challenges at the moment to SMEs, but one the major dangers comes from the global problems in the supply chain. This is largely down to the war in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions against Russia, but it isn’t a simple issue. How might this affect your business? Challenges to the Global Supply Chain The supply chain into the UK has suffered a series of blows over the past couple of years. The afterm

SMEs have faced multiple challenges for the past two years, but they might be forgiven for looking forward to better times, now all the lockdowns are behind us. Instead, a recent report shows that the cost of living crisis is creating a situation where more than two million SMEs are only just managing to break even. Why the Crisis? Many SMEs had a difficult time during the pandemic, but conditions haven’t impro