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Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) has grown massively over recent years, with options to defer payment being offered for everything from clothing to groceries. Used responsibly, this can be an effective method of obtaining credit to give flexibility in budgeting. However, it can also lead consumers into spiralling debt. The government promised to introduce regulation for the sector, but recent reports suggest they’re consider

Business owners generally focus most on the sales that bring in the income, rather than on their suppliers. That’s understandable, but it can also be short sighted. Recent research by retail bank Aldermore has found that well over half of SMEs have suffered supply-chain problems in the past year — and this has cost a total of £1.9 billion. Why Are There Supply Chain Delays? Disruptions to supply chains have been goin

In these times of financial stress, large numbers of people, both consumers and small business owners, are seeking debt advice. A good deal of the advice out there is excellent, but there are exceptions. There’s been concern expressed for some time about the referral fees charged by debt packaging companies and whether this creates bad advice. It seems that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) share this concern, an

With rampant inflation and a cost-of-living crisis in progress, it would be easy to assume that businesses would be consolidating and cutting costs. While some may be, though, the attitude where SMEs are concerned looks surprisingly optimistic. There are challenges, however. So, should you go for growth or concentrate on playing safe? SMEs Planning for Investment A recent survey by retail bank Aldermore has revealed

If you rent out residential properties, you must be aware of the tragic case of Awaab Ishak, the Rotherham toddler who died in 2020 from exposure to mould in a rented home. In this case, the property was owned by a housing association, but if you let your property privately, you could be personally responsible for such an incident. So, what do you need to know about mould and how to prevent it? What Are the Dangers f

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

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

The many regulations imposed on landlords of residential rental properties may seem a hassle at times, but most are simply what a responsible landlord would want to conform to. This is certainly true of the rules around carbon monoxide alarms — and these are to be updated in a couple of months. Why Are Carbon Monoxide Alarms Essential? The last thing any landlord wants is for tenants or their guests to be killed by c

When you’re selecting a letting agent to manage your rental properties, it’s vital to pick the right one. There are plenty of good agencies around, but unfortunately not every agency meets the minimum standards. Picking the wrong one could leave you in financial trouble. No doubt you have a list of questions for any prospective letting agency, but does this include whether they’re a member of a client money protectio

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