Business news 25 April 2025
SMEs unprepared for mounting threats. Bailey alert to growth shock. Consumer confidence slumps as costs rise. Retail, markets, insolvencies & more business news that we thought would interest our members.
James Salmon, Operations Director.
Please note: on the 19/3/25 CPA moved after 45 years on King Street, to new offices a couple of miles down the road at Profile West, 950 Great West Road, Brentford, TW8 9ES.
SMEs unprepared for mounting threats
Small businesses in the UK are increasingly feeling the strain from cyber-security threats and economic instability, prompting many to consider restructuring. According to a survey by Kroll, less than one-third of British firms feel adequately prepared for potential challenges, with 27% of smaller companies feeling less equipped than a year ago. The survey revealed that 45% of businesses identified cyber threats as their primary concern, followed by 40% citing global economic instability. Sarah Rayment, managing director at Kroll, said: “Considering the domestic and international challenges… we anticipate a rise in distress among smaller to mid-market businesses.” Some 26% of firms are expected to undergo restructuring in the coming year, driven by profitability concerns, competitive pressures and the challenging economic environment.
Bailey alert to growth shock
The Governor of the Bank of England has expressed concerns over a “growth shock” affecting the UK economy due to Donald Trump’s trade policies. Andrew Bailey said that while he was hoping the UK could strike a trade deal with the US, as it is an open economy it would still be hit by a slowdown in global growth. Speaking to CNBC television, Bailey added that the Bank’s policymakers will have to weigh the risks to growth against an expectation of rapidly rising inflation. “We’ve got to balance those two. But I think the trade issue is the new part of that story,” he said.
Consumer confidence slumps as costs rise
The latest barometer of sentiment from the data company GfK shows consumer confidence in the UK has fallen to the lowest level for more than a year. Neil Bellamy, the consumer insights director at GfK, said that in addition to a raft of cost increases over April, consumers are now worried about rising inflation on the back of Donald Trump’s tariff negotiations.
Retail sales
UK Retail Sales rose unexpectedly in March to cap a strong first quarter for the UK consumer, providing a much-needed boost to the economy, official data showed this morning. Retail sales volumes rose by 0.4% in April alone, after downwardly revised growth of 0.7% in March, the Office for National Statistics said.
Markets
Yesterday, European markets were mixed, pausing after two consecutive days of gains, as investors weighed the latest developments surrounding Trump-era trade tariffs and a new wave of corporate earnings with the FTSE 100 closed up 0.13% at 8414.09 and the Euro Stoxx 50 closed up 0.27% at 5112.57. Overnight in the US the S&P 500 rose 2.03% to 5484.77 and the NASDAQ rose 2.74% to 17166.04.
This morning on currencies, the pound is currently worth $1.3305 and €1.172. On Commodities, Oil (Brent) is at $66.35 & Gold is at $3305. On the stock markets, the FTSE 100 is currently up 0.14% at 8419 and the Eurostoxx 50 is up 0.86% at 5159.
Alphabet shares (Google) are expected to rally later as they released expectation beating advertising sales numbers. The company’s overall revenue grew 12% year over year to $90 billion in the quarter, higher than the 10% Wall Street had expected.
Apple is going to move the production of most of its phones for the US market from China to India.
Meanwhile China is reportedly considering it’s 125% tariff on US imports to lower the heat in the US-China trade war. Donald Trump insisted that the US and China were engaged in trade talks, although China issued a denial that any such negotiations were taking place.
Tourist tax threatens London’s summer
London’s tourism sector is bracing for a challenging summer as high-spending American visitors are reportedly booking fewer trips. Business leaders are urging the Government to abolish the controversial tourist tax, which prevents foreign visitors from reclaiming 20% VAT on purchases. Recent data from VisitBritain indicates that forward flight bookings from the US are down 7% compared to 2024, with similar declines from other countries. According to the business group New West End Company, the absence of tax-free shopping has already cost the West End £640m in unrealised sales, as tourists opt for destinations where they can shop without VAT.
Wetherspoons loses cider VAT battle
Wetherspoons has lost its appeal against HMRC regarding a VAT dispute over cider, which the pub chain argued should not be classified as an ‘alcoholic beverage’. The case stemmed from a claim for £4.85m in overpaid VAT on cider supplied between 15 July 2020 and 31 March 2022. Glyn Edwards, VAT director at MHA, noted that the legislation defining ‘alcoholic beverages’ had failed to explicitly include cider. The First-Tier Tribunal ruled in favour of HMRC, stating it would be “anomalous and absurd” for cider to be treated differently from other alcoholic drinks. Edwards remarked: “It took three days in court and a 72-page written decision” to conclude that cider is indeed an alcoholic beverage.
HMRC confirms MTD for 2026
HMRC has announced that sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000 must adopt Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax by April 6, 2026. Approximately 780,000 self-employed individuals will be affected initially, with an additional 970,000 joining in 2027. James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said: “MTD for Income Tax is an essential part of our plan to transform the UK’s tax system into one that supports economic growth.”
Higher taxes could see millionaires leave, Trump warns
President Donald Trump has expressed his reluctance to increase taxes on millionaires, saying that it could lead to wealthy individuals leaving the country. Some Republicans are considering raising the top tax rate for high-income earners to between 39% and 40%, up from the current 37%. Despite discussions within Trump’s inner circle, including Vice President JD Vance and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the idea of a tax hike does not seem to be gaining momentum.
Latest Insolvencies
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – W&R HOSPITALITY LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – PDTT LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – DRAGONFLY GROOMSWEAR LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – LJ’S TAVERN LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CITY INDUSTRIAL WASTE LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – RENDERING SUPPLIES IRELAND (RSI STORE) LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – ZYLARNE LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CAPPY WINES & SPIRITS LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – JUST MIST RETAIL LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – GCS CAR SALES LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – C G WHITE LIMITED
Appointment of Administrator – URBAN EBIKES LTD
Appointment of Liquidators – CAPITA MORTGAGE ADMINISTRATION LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – HOWARTH COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – MOUNTSTEWART GROUP ADMINISTRATION COMPANY LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – SOTERO CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – CAPITA IT SERVICES LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – D F THOMSON LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – GEORGE HARDIE & SON (JOINERS) LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – MISYL AVON LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – KING CONCRETE LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – P H AVIATION CONSULTANCY LTD
Winding up Order (Companies) – MITNIJA UK LTD
Winding up Order (Companies) – HAC MEDICAL GAS TRAINING & SERVICES LIMITED
Winding up Order (Companies) – CHARLESWORTH HOLDINGS LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – CONCEPT FACADE SYSTEMS LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – STEPHENS & STEPHENS DEVELOPERS (CLIFFEDGE 10) LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – UNIBOS LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – TKB SERVICES LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – SAME DAY EXPRESS NORTH LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – M AND M EXPRESS TRANSPORT LTD
Appointment of Liquidators – INDUSTRIAL AND DOMESTIC FINANCE CO. LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – CW WOOD WHARF B3 DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
Appointment of Administrator – WYRE PIE COMPANY LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – STAGECOACH SUPERTRAM MAINTENANCE LTD.
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – EXCELL CIVILS S/W LTD
Appointment of Liquidators – COOLMILLISH DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – NEW FOREST CHERRIES LTD
Winding up Order (Companies) – GLOBAL HOLDINGS LIMITED
Winding up Order (Companies) – CPS ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL LIMITED
Winding up Order (Companies) – TAMID ZIVAH LLP
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – VIRACOAT LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – IMRAN HALAL MEAT LTD.
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – B INSPIRE D HOMES LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – U DRIVE PERFORMANCE LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – ATLAS TRADING GL LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – I.K INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – STOCKMIRE LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – FORDHAM MARKETING LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – COLEMAN CAPITAL LLP
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – ROCKBOTTOM DEALS LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – MMTS MANAGEMENT LTD
Appointment of Administrator – ECS CAPITAL LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – PJM PARTNERS LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – SPARKLEDUN LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – TML BUILDING SERVICES LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – A TO Z WAREHOUSE OXFORD LTD
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – LAZERNETWORKS LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – MAYO PRIDE LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – KERR CAPITAL DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – CREED CONSULTANTS LTD
Appointment of Liquidators – BHSY LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – KHW PHARMA CONSULTANCY LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – CITY OF LONDON TAVERNERS LIMITED
Appointment of Administrator – ARIES LIMITED
Petitions to wind up (Companies) – SB CONSTRUCTION & DESIGN LTD
Appointment of Administrator – PROGRESSIVE SAFETY FOOTWEAR AND CLOTHING LIMITED
Appointment of Administrator – JAMES LLOYD DEVELOPERS (CRICCIETH) LIMITED
Appointment of Liquidators – OXFORD PRESCRIPTION SERVICE LIMITED(THE)
Why you should become a member of CPA!
The Credit Protection Association (CPA) has been assisting thousands of UK businesses to get paid, since 1914. We have supported our members through all sorts of difficult trading environments. With high interest rates and a struggling economy and elevated insolvencies, our services can help your business navigate these difficult waters.
Unlike other credit management and debt collection companies, we offer a range of services to our members that are all included as part of a fixed annual subscription, tailored to your needs.
Under your annual subscription you will have access to our main services:
- Our Creditcare credit reports provide credit ratings and limits along with a host of detailed information on your potential customers to enable you to trade with confidence and set appropriate credit policies for new customers.
- Our monitoring service will alert you to any significant changes in the status of those customers.
- Our Overdue account recovery service can be used to chase up payment on any invoices to those customers that have not been paid on time. Unlike other debt collection companies, this service directs your customer to pay direct to you and allows you to maintain your goodwill with them, rather than inserting ourselves into your relationship with you customer and insisting they pay CPA instead. Our Overdue account recovery service resolves over 80% of accounts referred to us.
All of the above services and other complimentary services such address verification, are included in your subscription!
And for the small minority of debts not resolved through our Overdue account recovery service, you can refer the debt to our collections department to escalate the late payment collections process.
CPA eases cash from tardy debtors – Efficiently, Effectively, Economically and Ethically. And we provide credit information so you can monitor and assess your key customers and be warned of any potential risks. CPA has been improving business cash flow for over 100 years, by tackling late payers and campaigning against the late payment culture in the UK.
Unlike other credit management companies, we offer our members a fixed annual subscription regardless of how high the value of their debts maybe!
Rather than to borrowing more money to improve your cashflow, CPA suggests that business owners tackle the problem at its source. If late payments are a strain on your cashflow, then talk to CPA about how we can help you reduce those late payments.
Just call Peter Uwins, CPA’s National Sales Manager, on 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
Do you have a commercial late payer that is causing you grief? Use CPA’s no-win, no-fee, commercial debt recovery service!
If you have a particular business customer who is late paying and causing you sleepless nights, why not offer it to CPA’s collection department for purchase on recourse?
CPA’s collection department will then pursue the debt. We will be liable for any costs incurred and then when we have recovered the debt, we will pay you the net principle debt recovered less our percentage.
Once you have enjoyed that success then you can consider the more cost effective membership which includes our Overdue Account Recovery service and Status/Credit reports as well as a range of other complimentary services.
Just call 020 8846 0000 and ask for Godfrey Nelson or Cris Shirley (business hours) or email debtpurchase@cpa.co.uk today.
The Credit Protection Association – Prompting Punctual Payments – Ethical, Effective, Efficient, Economical collections.
Get compensated for previous late payments
Have you been paid late by business customers in the last six years?
Maybe you no longer work with them. Under legislation, you are entitled to compensation you for those late payments you have suffered.
You put up with the PAIN – now claim the GAIN!
Claim late payment compensation (LPC) from former business customers who paid you late in the last six years!
CPA (LPC) Recoveries is using our bespoke software and decades of experience to do just that for our clients
Check our compensation calculator to see how much your business could be owed!
Discover NOW the potential value of late payment compensation hidden in your sales ledger!