Business recovery is rarely a straight line. Most companies experiencing financial or operational challenges move through a series of stages before returning to sustainable growth. Recognising the warning signs early and taking decisive action at each stage can make the difference between recovery and failure. Underperformance The first stage tends to be underperformance. Businesses in […]
Read moreAuthor Archive: Midgley Snelling
Are your finances at risk of cyber-attack? Planning for the worst
According to the latest Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report, almost two in five small businesses in the UK suffered a successful cyber-attack in the last year, with each attack costing an average of £26,650. Globally, cyber incidents cause around 32 hours of operational disruption a year on average. Cyber-attacks are no longer exceptional events, being viewed […]
Read more
Borrowing amongst SMEs is on the rise – preparing your business for finance
According to UK Finance, gross lending to SMEs from the main high street banks reached £5.35 billion in the second quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly level recorded since the pandemic. Real estate and professional service firms drove much of this growth, while manufacturers and hospitality businesses borrowed less. How can loans help SMEs? A […]
Read more
Medium-sized companies may qualify for audit exemption
The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST) initiated a ‘modernising corporate reporting’ consultation on 7 September 2026, which closes on 30 November 2026. Under the proposed overhauls, many medium-sized companies may be exempt from mandatory audits. This consultation forms part of a wider Government pledge to cut administrative burdens on businesses by 25 […]
Read more
How is the mansion tax distorting the housing market?
The so-called mansion tax is already beginning to have an impact on the UK housing market, despite the surcharge not being due to come into effect until April 2028. Under the new tax, officially known as the High Value Council Tax Surcharge, homes in England worth £2 million or more, based on their value as […]
Read more
Demystifying the changes to Benefits in Kind from 2027
Reforms to the Benefits in Kind (BIK) system have continued to change in recent years, as the Government prepares to roll out mandatory payrolling. From April 2027, businesses will be required to payroll BIK, but this will now be a phased approach, with the full reforms in place from April 2028. For employers who were […]
Read more
IHT pension reforms now only half a year away
We are now just over six months away from the long-anticipated reforms to Inheritance Tax (IHT), which will see unspent pensions included within a person’s estate from April 2027. First announced all the way back in the 2024 Autumn Budget, the move is expected to result in 10,500 more estates becoming liable for IHT in […]
Read moreBlueCrest loses £200 million tax battle against HMRC
The Supreme Court ruled against BlueCrest Capital Management in a long-running dispute with HMRC, leaving the firm facing tax and National Insurance determinations of nearly £200 million. The ruling follows a wider HMRC focus on how members of limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are classified for tax purposes and comes as HMRC continues to scrutinise arrangements […]
Read moreThe most common cash flow problems that affect a business
Most, if not all, businesses will face cash flow problems at one point or another. This is why understanding some of the most common cash flow problems is important for business owners, so they know what to look out for. More often than not, cash flow problems are solvable if they are found early and […]
Read more
Sequencing short-term finance effectively is vital for avoiding the interest trap
For many businesses, short-term finance can provide an essential lifeline when cash flow becomes tight. Whether a business needs support covering a gap between paying suppliers and receiving customer payments, or managing seasonal demand, the right type of finance can keep a business moving during uncertain times. However, using short-term borrowing without a clear strategy […]
Read more
