Business news 12 January 2026

Cost pressure is still the headline for UK small businesses that sell on terms: business rates uncertainty is spreading beyond pubs, tax policy is getting noisier (and harder to plan around), and confidence indicators are flashing amber. Add a softer jobs backdrop and a heavy insolvency list, and it’s a reminder that the safest cash-flow strategy in 2026 is tightening credit control before problems land in your ledger.

James Salmon, Operations Director.

Business News

Business rates: pubs get relief talk, but pressure is spreading

Pubs are pushing for urgent reform of the business-rates system after a proposed support package, warning that revaluations and the end of pandemic-era support are producing increases that don’t match trading reality.

Why it matters (selling on credit): Hospitality stress shows up fast as slower settlement, more disputes and partial payments—review limits and shorten terms where exposure is creeping up.

Business rates overhaul pressure widens to high streets, hotels and restaurants

Labour MPs are urging the Chancellor to extend support beyond pubs to broader hospitality and high-street businesses as valuations and the April withdrawal of prior discounts raise the temperature.

Why it matters: If more sectors get caught by rates shocks, you’ll see a step-change in arrears—prioritise accounts in hospitality and retail for closer monitoring.

Pharmacies: closures and administration risks highlight a fragile essential-services supply chain

Community pharmacy finances remain strained, with closures and administration pressure in parts of the sector; suppliers and contractors should watch exposure carefully.

Why it matters: When essential-service operators wobble, suppliers can get stuck behind HMRC, banks and landlord claims—tighten credit insurance/monitoring and chase early.

Pick-up truck tax reclassification: a direct hit to trades and rural operators

The double-cab pick-up reclassification (BIK treatment) continues to trigger backlash from trades and rural users, adding to SME cost inflation.
Why it matters: When owner-managed firms face sudden personal tax jumps, cash gets pulled from the business—expect slower payment behaviour on “routine” invoices.

Passing the business to reduce tax bills: succession moves can create credit risk

A chunk of business owners are reportedly considering transferring ownership to family to reduce tax exposure—often before the next generation is operationally ready.
Why it matters: Ownership transitions can disrupt payment discipline—reconfirm authority, billing contacts and payment processes quickly.

Tax & Government

“Global investor visa” chatter after non-dom changes

Officials are discussing ways to keep/attract high-net-worth investors after the non-dom regime changes, including versions of a new investor visa concept.

Why it matters: Policy churn drives uncertainty and caution spending—SMEs should assume customers will delay discretionary purchases and tighten internal approvals.

Global minimum tax: US carve-outs spark fairness row

The revised OECD global minimum tax framework includes exemptions/carve-outs for US-headquartered multinationals, prompting criticism from tax-justice groups and debate about lost revenues.

Why it matters: If UK revenues disappoint, pressure for domestic tax rises increases—more cost load generally means more stretched payment terms downstream.

HMRC data breach case underlines fraud and ID risks

Two HMRC officers have been charged in relation to alleged leaking of confidential taxpayer data for payment.

Why it matters: Heightened fraud risk means stronger verification on account changes (bank details, “new email” payment instructions) is essential.

Employment & confidence

Hiring caution persists; unemployment higher

Signals from hiring surveys point to weaker demand for staff and higher availability of candidates—consistent with a cautious business mood.
Why it matters: When hiring slows, growth slows—late payment risk rises as customers try to preserve cash.

UK business confidence hit a low at end-2025

BDO’s sentiment measure fell to its weakest since early 2021, reflecting rising costs and weaker turnover expectations.
Why it matters: Lower confidence typically means slower approvals and longer payment runs—plan collection activity earlier in the cycle.

Industry-specific stories

Manufacturing nearing an investment “tipping point”

Make UK/PwC survey signals rising employment and energy costs are pushing manufacturers toward delaying or relocating investment.
Why it matters: Manufacturers tend to be “credit chain multipliers”—one delayed OEM payment becomes multiple delayed supplier payments.

US-Venezuela oil investment talk adds geopolitical noise

President Trump’s remarks to oil executives about potential investment in Venezuela, plus enforcement activity around oil shipping, adds to energy-market uncertainty.
Why it matters: Energy volatility feeds input-cost swings; suppliers should avoid letting “temporary cost disputes” become open-ended non-payment.

EU backs Mercosur trade deal (France opposed)

A qualified majority of EU countries backed the Mercosur trade agreement; ratification steps are expected soon.
Why it matters: If import competition increases in some categories, margins tighten—watch customers in affected sectors for slower payments.

Meta signs nuclear power deals for AI data centres

Meta has signed long-dated deals tied to nuclear power to meet AI data centre energy demand.
Why it matters: It’s a reminder that energy and infrastructure constraints are shaping costs—suppliers should expect more contract renegotiations and price pressure.

Heathrow posts record year as travel demand surges

Heathrow Airport reported a record-breaking 2025, with passenger numbers topping 84 million for the first time. December was the busiest month on record, with nearly 7.2 million travellers, while 1 August marked Heathrow’s busiest day ever as more than 270,000 passengers passed through the airport. The airport outperformed 2024 in nine out of twelve months and was named Europe’s most punctual hub in December, signalling improved operational resilience alongside strong demand.

Why it matters (selling on credit): Strong travel volumes support airlines, logistics, catering and retail—but rapid growth can strain working capital, so suppliers should watch payment cycles carefully even when demand looks healthy.

Market snapshot

Markets started the week with an unusual driver: concern about US central bank independence after Fed Chair Jerome Powell confirmed the Federal Reserve had been served DOJ grand jury subpoenas linked to headquarters renovations, a story that spooked risk sentiment and boosted safe-haven trades.

Equities:

• The FTSE 100 was broadly flat versus Friday (around 10,123).
• Europe was slightly lower (Euro Stoxx 50 down modestly).
• US indices remained near record territory, but futures were weaker on the Powell/DOJ headlines.

Commodities:

• Gold and silver surged to record highs as investors rushed for perceived safety.
• Oil was slightly lower around the high-$50s per barrel.

Sterling:

• The pound strengthened against the dollar as the dollar slipped on the Fed/DOJ jitters, with GBP/USD around $1.35 in your snapshot.
• Versus the euro, the picture was steadier (EUR/GBP roughly unchanged in your feed, around the mid-0.86s).

What it means for SMEs: a stronger pound helps importers (cheaper inputs), but the risk-off move (metals surging, uncertainty in US policy) is a signal to keep a close eye on customer payment behaviour—especially where invoices are discretionary or margin-tight.

Insolvencies and court notices

Appointments of Administrators

• 4U FRESH PRODUCE LTD
• ALFRED LONDON LTD
• DELTA NOTTINGHAM HOTEL LIMITED
• DEV6 LIMITED
• DRS RECRUITMENT LTD
• GASCORP (PLAXTON) LIMITED
• MIDWEST POLYCHEM LIMITED
• UNILED SOLUTIONS LTD

Appointments of Liquidators

• AC COMPONENTS LIMITED
• BELFAST TAXATION SERVICES LIMITED
• BEN MADIGAN PROPERTIES LTD
• BLUE CHIP INNOVATION LTD
• BLUE MOTOR FINANCE DD 2 LIMITED
• BLUERIDGE TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
• CATERING TECHNICAL SERVICES LIMITED
• CYAN AUTO RECEIVABLES LIMITED
• DEVWORX LTD
• FINE PROPERTY LIMITED
• GAST TOPCO LIMITED
• HIPLETS LIMITED
• HEITMAN INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE SECURITIES UK LIMITED
• KEO PROPERTIES LIMITED
• MARSHALL FARMER LIMITED
• MORTON & YEATES LIMITED
• PURE SPECTRUM SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• REDI-LIFT LIMITED
• RON BULLOCK BUILDING CONTRACTORS LIMITED
• SASOF II (C) AVIATION UK LIMITED
• STOCKHEN LTD
• STORM ENERGY LTD
• THE PRS REIT PLC

Petitions to wind up (Companies)

• 1ST CHOICE SECURITY TRAINING LTD
• AMAA EDUCATION LTD
• ARIA HORIZONS LIMITED
• B E CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LTD
• BELMONT&PARTNERS LIMITED
• BLACKWOOD LOCAL LIMITED
• DION PROPERTY LIMITED
• DOWELL DEV LTD
• EBF INTERNATIONAL LTD
• ELCOM NETWORKS LIMITED
• EQUIP2SAVE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE LTD
• HAZELEND LLP
• HHH DESIGN LTD
• INCOGNITO COCKTAIL COMPANY LIMITED
• JAMES GLENNON PACKAGING LIMITED
• KERR BUILDINGS LTD
• LA LOMBARDA LIMITED
• LOTUS CLADDING SOLUTIONS LTD
• LOVE MUSIC LIVE LIMITED
• M & R IMPORT & EXPORTERS LTD
• MARSH TRADING LIMITED
• MK OPTICS LIMITED
• MULBERRY HOUSE MANUFACTURING LTD
• MULBERRY HOUSE RETAIL LTD
• NOVODEL LOGISTICS LIMITED
• NUMBERS PLUS LTD
• PHOENIX PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION LTD.
• PLAZA PROPERTIES LIMITED
• PREMIER DYCE LIMITED
• REGENTS PLACE PROJECT LTD
• ROADMARK (SCOTLAND) LIMITED
• RYER LIMITED
• SISTOKS ENTERPRISE LTD
• SPRINT PLUMBING SCOTLAND LTD
• STATION SHOP SWINDON LIMITED
• TMT METALS (UK) LTD
• TRUE VEHICLE SALES LIMITED
• WIMBORNE SALVAGE AND DEMOLITION LTD

Winding up Orders (Companies)

• AVON PARTITIONING SOLUTIONS LTD

How CPA membership can help

When costs rise and confidence dips, late payment usually follows. If you sell on terms, don’t wait for customers to wobble before you act. CPA can help you:

• Assess new customers with fast CreditCare checks before you extend terms
• Monitor existing accounts so you spot risk signals early
• Recover overdue invoices with a firm but courteous process that protects relationships

To discuss your ledger or problem accounts just call Peter Uwins, CPA’s National Sales Manager, on️ 020 8846 0000 (business hours) or email nsm@cpa.co.uk today.

When you see your money come in, you will be so glad you used CPA.

The Credit Protection Association – Prompting Punctual Payments – Ethical, Effective, Efficient, Economical collections.