Business news 18 November 2025
Global markets remain under pressure, UK consumer confidence has fallen, and a wave of tax-related stories continues to unsettle households and businesses ahead of the Budget. SMEs face rising late-payment risks, tighter margins, and new compliance burdens. Insolvency activity remains elevated, highlighting the need for strong cash-flow management.
James Salmon, Operations Director.
SME-Focused Stories
Small Businesses Struggle With Funding
A new Santander study reveals that most UK small businesses start with less than £6,000 and 80% operate on thin margins. Over a third go at least three years without profit.
Why it matters: Under-capitalised firms are more likely to delay payments, increasing credit risk throughout supply chains. And if you need to maximise your cashflow, CPA can help.
Tax Threshold Freeze Hits Millions
More than 7 million people will pay the higher 40% tax rate this year due to frozen thresholds; the number paying the 45% rate will more than double.
Why it matters: Lower disposable income reduces consumer spending and raises late-payment risk for SMEs.
Reeves Plans £15bn Tax Measures
The Chancellor is reportedly preparing tax-raising measures totalling at least £15bn, with £7.5bn from freezing income-tax thresholds.
Why it matters: Fiscal drag puts pressure on household budgets and SME wage costs, weakening cashflow.
Wealth Tax Campaign Intensifies
Campaigners propose a 2% tax on assets over £10m, claiming many Labour MPs support the idea privately.
Why it matters: Ongoing speculation about fiscal tightening affects investment confidence and planning for SMEs.
Property Tax Surcharge Warning
Taylor Wimpey warns that a possible council-tax surcharge on higher-value homes could distort the market and stall mobility.
Why it matters: Slower housing activity affects trades, suppliers and service providers, lengthening payment cycles.
Farage Urges Budget Cuts Targeting Foreign Nationals
Reform UK proposes £25bn in savings through measures including cutting benefits to foreign nationals and doubling the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Why it matters: Adds political pressure ahead of the Budget, feeding uncertainty in a period when SMEs need stability.
UK to Introduce Mandatory Digital IDs
A digital ID will be required for all right-to-work checks by the end of this Parliament.
Why it matters: SMEs face increased compliance demands and possible onboarding delays.
UK Consumer Confidence Hits Four-Month Low
S&P’s sentiment index drops to 43.4, driven by reduced disposable incomes and fiscal uncertainty.
Why it matters: Lower confidence hits discretionary spending and increases late-payment risk.
Audit Quality Confidence Surges
CPIA reports 100% satisfaction with audit quality among senior financial stakeholders, though regulatory complexity remains a concern.
Why it matters: Improved trust in financial accounts helps SMEs assess customer risk more accurately.
UK Mulls Countermeasures to EU Steel Tariffs
The government is preparing retaliation as EU tariff plans threaten a crisis in the UK metals sector.
Why it matters: Rising steel costs and trade uncertainty could squeeze margins and delay payments in construction and manufacturing.
BoE Raises Deposit Guarantee Limit to £120,000
The FSCS protection cap will rise from £85,000 to £120,000 in December, with temporary high-balance protection increasing to £1.4m.
Why it matters: Encourages SMEs to hold more working capital safely, supporting cashflow resilience.
Global & Market-Relevant Stories
Gilt Market Steadies
Yields fell by around 3 basis points across the curve, despite AXA halving its gilt exposure over fiscal concerns.
Why it matters: Slight easing in borrowing costs is welcome, but investor caution persists.
Japan’s Economy Contracts
GDP fell 1.8% annualised in Q3, softened by consumer and government spending.
Why it matters: Slowing global demand affects UK exporters and supply-chain cashflows.
HSS Hire Restructures
HSS will rebrand as ProService Building Services Marketplace PLC, with Speedy Hire taking an equity stake and supplying equipment.
Why it matters: Restructuring may change credit terms and cause transitional disruption.
Morgan Stanley Turns Bullish
Michael Wilson predicts a 16% rise in the S&P 500 over the next year.
Why it matters: Improved sentiment could ease global financing pressures, though volatility remains.
Nvidia Falls, Alphabet Rises
Nvidia dropped 1.9% after Peter Thiel’s fund exited; Alphabet rose 3% after Berkshire revealed a $5bn stake.
Why it matters: Tech volatility influences lender appetite and global credit conditions.
Bezos Launches Project Prometheus
Jeff Bezos has launched a new AI-manufacturing start-up, raising $6.2bn.
Why it matters: Large-scale AI investment may reshape supply chains and increase pricing pressures on SMEs.
EU Economy Set to Outpace UK
EU growth forecast at 1.4% in 2026 versus 1.2% in the UK. Higher UK inflation complicates rate-cut decisions.
Why it matters: Slower domestic growth and delayed rate relief create a tougher credit environment for SMEs.
Bitcoin Falls Below $90,000
Bitcoin hits a seven-month low as risk appetite weakens.
Why it matters: Falling speculative assets often lead to broader credit tightening.
Apple iPhone 17 Drives 37% Sales Growth in China
A strong rebound in China supports confidence in global tech demand.
Why it matters: Positive for UK retailers and tech-linked SMEs reliant on demand stability.
UK to Ban Above-Face-Value Ticket Resales
StubHub and Live Nation shares fell on plans to ban ticket markups.
Why it matters: Could shift demand patterns in events and hospitality, affecting associated SMEs.
Markets Snapshot
Equities
Global markets fell for a fourth session.
FTSE 100 closed down 0.2% at 9,675; futures point to a further decline.
US and European markets also weakened, driven by tech and mining sector drops.
Commodities
Gas futures rose sharply on cold-weather demand.
Gold fell again; base metals declined.
China resumed large soybean purchases.
Currencies
Dollar strengthened across G-10.
Sterling held firm but faces downside risk ahead of the Budget.
Yen weakened; euro and Australian dollar slipped.
Emerging-market currencies also fell.
How CPA can help
Cashflow is everything in today’s environment. As a CPA member you can speed up the payment of your invoices with our suite of credit management tools. If you want stronger, faster, more predictable payments, call us 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.
Insolvencies
Petitions to Wind Up (Companies)
APR CONTRACTS LTD
EES SOLUTIONS KMD LIMITED
ELFIELD CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
GREEN BRAND LIMITED
H A ACCOUNTANCY LIMITED
MADHAVAN DESIGN LIMITED
MARGHERITA RESTAURANT LTD
MERCIA IMAGE LTD
UNIT 6 DISTRIBUTION LTD
W S ROGERS LTD
Appointment of Administrators
CARBON8 SYSTEMS LIMITED
VINCICO ELECTRONICS LTD
Appointment of Liquidators
3IN ATTERO HOLDCO LIMITED
APIS DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
BINDERHOLZ UK LTD
BRUSHWARE (U.K.) LIMITED
D. SALVESEN LIMITED
DECODE X CONSULTING LIMITED
DENVIR HERBERT DEVELOPMENTS LTD
EVERCODE LTD
FLITWICK COMMERCIAL VEHICLES LIMITED
FRONT FOOT TECH LTD
HAIMOSS LIMITED
HIGHDOWN FINANCE LIMITED
ILAB ADVISORY LIMITED
JWH PARTNERS LTD
LJ JACKSON LIMITED
LISSYS LIMITED
NICHOLAS ASSOCIATES LIMITED
NICK OWEN ASSOCIATES LTD
PAUL HERRON LIMITED
ROLLINGS COMMERCIAL LIMITED
SARAH B CONSULTING LTD
SPENCER NICKSON LIMITED
STUART LIGHTBAND LIMITED
TEES ACTUARIAL LIMITED