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For anyone facing bad debt that they can’t pay off in the short term, an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) can be an ideal way of clearing the debts over a longer period, without being vulnerable to action by their creditors. IVAs are arranged on the basis of what the debtor can afford on a monthly basis. As we know all too well, however, inflation is now running at a 40-year high, driven largely by increases in

Have you ever been asked to act as a personal guarantor on a business loan? Maybe you’ve been asked by a business owner you’re on good terms with, or maybe you’ve considered taking on the role for a limited company you’re a director of. Is it a good idea to accept the request — and what could the consequences be? What Is a Personal Guarantee? There are various ways of offering security to a lender for a business loan

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

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

During the Covid lockdown, many businesses unable to trade or use their premises fell into arrears with their commercial rent. Although businesses are generally up and running again, many have found difficulties in catching up with these arrears. This has obviously also impacted on landlords’ finances, but the government’s Commercial Rent (Coronavirus) Act 2022, which came into force on 24th March, has se

Most people would agree that the financial sector has been in dire need of more targeted regulation — and, on the whole, those companies that have always operated ethically would also agree. In a sector tarnished by everything from the LIBOR scandal to consumer scams, tougher regulations should allow firms already meeting or exceeding those standards to get a head-start. What’s the Background to the Strategy? S

You have a lot on your plate as a business owner, and keeping your accounts up to date might seem like something that can be put off till you have more time. This is unwise, even if nothing goes wrong, but there are circumstances when getting caught with your accounts undone could lead to disqualification as a Director. The Case of Mitchell Smith The government has recently announced the disqualification of Mitchell

It’s obvious to everyone now that we’re heading into recession. Energy and fuel costs spiralling and food prices rising are going to affect everyone on a personal level, but they could also have a knock-on effect on your business. Are you in a position to get through this? What’s Happening to the Economy? A number of factors have combined to create shortages (and therefore rising prices) across the

One of the few positive statistics from the first year of the Covid pandemic was a sharp drop in business insolvencies. This was driven by the various measures the government put in place to support businesses, in particular the furlough system. However, these measures have ended now, and the latest figures show that business insolvencies are climbing. What Do the Figures Show? The Insolvency Service has published th