logo

Tag

loans

The Disability Finance Code for Entrepreneurship

A large proportion of small business owners are struggling to afford to run their businesses at the moment, with the  cumulative effects of the pandemic, Brexit and world events pushing costs up. However, disabled entrepreneurs have always found things harder. One issue has traditionally involved the difficulty in accessing finance. This is why it’s significant that the Government has just announced a new initiative,
Read More

Late Payments — The Problem Is Growing

Late payments constitute one of the biggest threats to the survival of small businesses. Unlike large corporations, most small or micro businesses don’t have the reserves to manage without regular cashflow coming in, and any substantial delay in payment of the money they’re owed could potentially force their closure. Which makes the latest statistics particularly worrying. Figures show that over half of i
Read More

The Private Rental Sector — What’s Changing in the Sector?

The private rental sector has been volatile for some time, with changing regulations, fast-rising rents and difficulties for landlords, and that doesn’t look like ending any time soon. What with a reduction in the buy-to-let market, further increases in the cost for tenants and uncertainty over what measures the new government might bring in, the whole sector is holding its breath. A Fall in the Buy-to-Let Mark
Read More

Accessing External Finance — The Good News and the Bad News

SMEs may need to access finance for various reasons. Perhaps they have plans for growth requiring money up front, or maybe there’s a delay in their cashflow — a particular problem in recent years, as the scourge of late payments has grown worse. Recent figures, from various sources, have shown both good and bad news about financing small businesses. A Third of SMEs Need Finance to Survive The most alarming figu
Read More

What Is Bankruptcy — And Is It Really a Disaster?

Bankruptcy is often seen as a badge of shame, a sign of failure — but is it really? The legal state of bankruptcy was actually introduced in the 19th century as a protection for debtors, who could previously have been thrown into prison until their debt was cleared. So is bankruptcy the end of the world, or should it be seen as a tool that can be used to get back on your feet when things have gone seriously wrong? Wh
Read More

Buy Now Pay Later — An Opportunity or a Trap?

In difficult times like these, resorting to Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) can seem like a lifesaver. Used carefully and with full understanding, it can be a good way of spreading costs for items you can’t immediately afford. The problem is that many consumers don’t fully understand the terms and, as recent research by TotallyMoney shows, repayments can very quickly build up. What Is Buy Now Pay Later? BNPL is
Read More

Crisis in Private Rentals — Bad News for Landlords and Tenants

Figures just out show that private rents increased in the past 12 months at a rate well above inflation. At the same time, as prospects seem to be diminishing of the renters reform bill passing before the election, record numbers of tenants are being forced to move. It might seem at a casual glance that this is all great news for buy-to-let owners, but it’s actually not that simple. If you’re a private la
Read More

Are You Ready for the Changes in Employment Law?

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
Read More

Are IVAs Being Mis-sold? The Insolvency Service Investigates

An IVA (individual voluntary agreement) can be an invaluable resource for any individual person facing mounting debt. It offers the chance to protect yourself against action by creditors, and to structure repayments in an affordable way. However, like any financial product, there’s the potential for abuse. The Insolvency Service has announced that it’s investigating whether IVAs are being mis-sold. What i
Read More

Buy Now Pay Later — Flexibility or Debt Trap?

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
Read More