Business news 27 February 2026

It’s the last working day of the month, and today’s headlines are a reminder that cashflow risk rarely comes from one direction. Compliance demands are rising (MTD), HMRC is squeezing harder, and labour-market fragility is showing through. At the same time, there are still pockets of resilience in UK-listed results—while the insolvency lists keep lengthening. For any business supplying on credit, this is a “tighten the process” kind of day: watch exposure, chase early, and don’t let arrears age into write-offs.

James Salmon, Operations Director.

Tax & Government

MTD: a new burden for many from April 2026

From April 2026, more than 860,000 self-employed individuals and landlords earning over £50,000 will need to comply with Making Tax Digital, including quarterly updates to HMRC. The threshold is set to fall over the coming years, potentially bringing millions more into scope. The warning from advisers is straightforward: prepare early, especially where there’s no finance team to absorb the extra admin.

Why it matters (credit sellers): More reporting admin often means slower invoicing, more missed follow-ups and more “payment drift” from customers juggling compliance and cash pressure.

HMRC lifts tax take from big business

HMRC reportedly collected an additional £16bn from large businesses via increased penalties and improved data analysis, boosting compliance and narrowing the tax gap. The signal is clear: enforcement is becoming more systematic and more data-driven.

Why it matters (credit sellers): A tougher enforcement climate can squeeze debtor cash positions and make payment delays more likely—especially where customers are already stretched.

House sellers rush to dodge the upcoming high-value surcharge

Sellers are reportedly adjusting asking prices to keep homes below £2m ahead of the planned high-value council tax surcharge from April 2028. Early behaviour changes suggest buyers and sellers are already pricing in the new threshold.

Why it matters (credit sellers): When tax thresholds change, behaviour changes fast—often tightening spending and increasing late-payment risk across sectors linked to property and discretionary income.

Economic & policy

Reeves urged to keep fiscal rules

The Chancellor is being urged to stick to simple, consistent fiscal rules amid pressure to relax constraints for long-term investment and higher defence spending. The critique is that frequent rule changes create uncertainty and can worsen deficits and debt trajectories.

Why it matters (credit sellers): Policy uncertainty feeds straight into confidence—when customers don’t know what’s coming (tax, rates, spending), they tend to delay decisions and stretch payments.

UK government debt sales set to fall for the first time in four years

Government debt sales are projected to decline, easing gilt-market pressure amid improved public finances and tax rises. That can be supportive for market stability, even if it doesn’t remove the wider debate about spending priorities.

Why it matters (credit sellers): If borrowing pressure eases, funding conditions can stabilise—but tax rises and weak demand can still push customers to slow-pay.

Employment

Youth unemployment hits an alarming new high

The number of young people classed as not in education, employment or training has risen to 957,000 (12.8% of those aged 16–24), driven mainly by rising unemployment. The social and political pressure from a weak youth labour market is likely to grow.

Why it matters (credit sellers): Softer employment tends to reduce demand and increase cash strain—both of which show up as slower payment behaviour.

Industry-specific stories

Molson Coors to close Sharp’s brewery and Cardiff contact centre

Molson Coors plans to close Sharp’s Brewery in Cornwall and a contact centre in Cardiff, putting around 200 jobs at risk. Local leaders are warning about the knock-on effects for Cornwall’s economy and hospitality supply chains.

Frog Bikes faces administration crisis

Children’s bike maker Frog Bikes has entered administration with redundancies reported, after financial pressures including tighter markets and Brexit-related costs. Reported losses of around £500,000 in the latest accounts underline how quickly mid-sized consumer brands can deteriorate.

UK rocket firm Orbex crashes into administration

Orbex has entered administration, putting 163 jobs at risk, with administrators engaging with 20+ potential buyers. It’s another reminder of how capital-intensive innovation businesses can run out of runway when funding is tight.

Stellantis reports first-ever annual loss after EV write-down

Stellantis posted a large accounting write-down after scaling back EV plans, swinging from strong operating income in 2024 to an operating loss in 2025. It highlights pressure and strategy reset across global automotive.

Howden Joinery beats expectations and lifts dividend

Howden reported profit growth and proposed a higher dividend, signalling confidence and a stronger position versus competitors. It’s a notable “resilience pocket” in a mixed UK demand picture.

IAG delivers “another year of exceptional performance”

British Airways owner IAG reported strong annual profit growth, beating expectations, although final-quarter detail suggests some softening in parts of the picture. Overall, travel demand still looks supportive.

Global & markets

Paramount favoured in Warner Bros Discovery bidding race

Paramount appeared to have the upper hand in the contest for Warner Bros Discovery after Netflix declined to improve its bid, though regulators still need to clear the deal. The story underlines ongoing consolidation in global media.

Market Snapshot

Equities:

• The FTSE 100 pushed further into record territory, while European stocks continue a strong monthly run.
• US markets fell overnight, led by tech, as investors reassessed the AI trade even after Nvidia’s strong results.
• Asia was mixed: broader performance for the month remains strong, but chip-heavy markets saw profit-taking.

Key index levels

• FTSE 100: 10,900.54
• STOXX 600: 635.01
• DAX: 25,362.80
• CAC 40: 8,618.78
• S&P 500: 6,908.86
• Nasdaq Composite: 22,878.38
• Dow Jones: 49,499.20
• Nikkei 225: 58,850.27
• Hang Seng: 26,630.54

Sterling

• GBP/USD: $1.3488
• GBP/EUR: €1.1432
  Sterling is weaker versus the euro and down on the week, with political uncertainty cited as a headwind.

Commodities

• WTI: $66.08 | Brent: $71.64
  Oil remains sensitive to US-Iran talks and US inventory data.
• Gold: $5,175/oz
  Gold remains elevated, reflecting safe-haven demand amid geopolitical and policy uncertainty.

Morning Wrap

Global markets present a mixed picture this Friday morning. European equities are extending their impressive monthly run, with the STOXX 600 on track for an eighth consecutive monthly gain. The FTSE 100 continues to break records despite domestic political headwinds weighing on sterling.

In contrast, US markets stumbled overnight as even Nvidia’s blockbuster earnings couldn’t assuage deepening concerns about AI valuations and returns on massive technology investments. The S&P 500 is set for a monthly loss after a whirlwind February marked by AI-related volatility.

Asian markets showed resilience overnight, with the MSCI Asia Pacific Index heading for its best February on record, driven by investor appetite for AI infrastructure suppliers. However, profit-taking hit South Korea hard, while Chinese tech stocks in Hong Kong suffered their worst month in over two years.

Geopolitical risk remains elevated as US-Iran nuclear talks continue without breakthrough, keeping oil prices supported despite a massive build in US crude inventories. Gold continues its historic rally, benefiting from safe-haven demand. Sterling is under pressure from UK political uncertainty, hitting two-month lows against the euro.

The key theme: while European and Asian markets show strength, US equities are consolidating as investors reassess the AI narrative that powered the bull market. Geopolitical tensions and policy uncertainty continue to drive flows into defensive assets.

How CPA membership could help today’s theme

Month-end pressure plus rising compliance costs is exactly when overdue invoices start ageing faster. CPA helps members protect cashflow by improving credit-to-cash discipline: tighter customer checks, clearer escalation, and faster recovery action before debts become entrenched. If any customer is “promising to pay next week,” today is the day to get certainty in writing and keep control of the timeline.

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.

Insolvency and legal notices

Administrator appointments

• C&L TRANSPORT SERVICES LTD
• DENZEL POWER – CABLING & ENERGY SERVICES LTD
• ELEVATED ENGINEERING SERVICES NW LTD
• FROG BIKES LIMITED
• HAY HILL INVESTMENTS LTD
• JLC LASER AND FORM LTD
• KIT HOUSE PROPERTIES LIMITED
• MTE HEAT TREATMENT LIMITED
• ORBITAL EXPRESS LAUNCH LIMITED
• RJAY DEVELOPMENTS (LONGCOT) LTD
• SMART RECRUITMENT SOLUTIONS (SWINDON) LIMITED
• STANDBY HEALTHCARE (NORTH) LTD
• WISE EMPLOYMENT (SWINDON) LIMITED

Liquidator appointments

• A BERRYMAN LTD
• A.J. HORNIG LIMITED
• ALTAMAR INNOVENTURES LIMITED
• BRIAN SU LIMITED
• BUCKLEBERRY LIMITED
• CABLE & WIRE TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD
• CENTRAL SKYE HOTELS LIMITED
• CLM HOLDINGS LIMITED
• CLM PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES LTD
• DALKEITH SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• DAWSON COMMERCIAL AND ASSET FINANCE LTD
• DCTMG IT SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• DELIVERY FOCUSSED LTD
• DISSONANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
• DISTINCT OPERATIONS LTD
• DLS CONSULT LTD
• ETL CLOUD LIMITED
• G2 SOLUTIONS LTD
• GBESJ CONSULTING LTD
• HILGOW LIMITED
• HOLTBY TURNER LIMITED
• HONESTA PROPERTY LTD
• HUGH ORDE LIMITED
• IMT CONSULTING LIMITED
• INCERTO LIMITED
• INSPIRED DESIGNS LTD
• JAYTEX (MANCHESTER) LIMITED
• JIGSAW DRINKS LIMITED
• JAYTEX (MANCHESTER) LIMITED
• KNOLE CONSULTING LIMITED
• LEAD IT CONSULTING LTD
• LIFESTYLE & HEALTHCARE LIMITED
• LIGGET SEA LIMITED
• LIGHTNING PERFORMANCE LIMITED
• M & L ARNOTT (CONTRACTING) LTD
• MANIYAR SERVICES LIMITED
• MAXALEXEV LTD
• MODERN REAL PROPERTY LIMITED
• MOGEN CONSULTANCY LIMITED
• MORE THAN ONE LIMITED
• N B ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC LIMITED
• NEWNORM EVENTS LTD
• ONE PRIME LONDON LIMITED
• OVATION OUTDOOR LTD
• PAUL & ASANGA LIMITED
• PAUL MILBURN TRANSPORT LTD
• PEREGRINE NETWORKS LTD
• PHOENIX OD & HR CONSULTING LTD
• RAVENSTHORPE AVIATION SERVICES LTD
• RAYBOULD BIC LIMITED
• RDS SERVICES HOLDINGS LIMITED
• RD CONSULTANTS LIMITED
• RD SERVICES (UK) LIMITED
• RENTADD LIMITED
• RED SQUARED SOLUTIONS LTD
• ROB J LTD
• RODNEY STREET 37 LIMITED
• SEARCH RECRUITMENT LIMITED
• S ELLIS CONSULTING LIMITED
• S.E.S. NUCLEAR LIMITED
• SEAGLASS CONSULTING LIMITED
• SHEPHERD AND WEDDERBURN (SERVICES) LIMITED
• SILVERSKY CONSULTING LIMITED
• SMERSH CONSULTING LTD
• SOLUTIONS SPECTRUM LIMITED
• SPEYSIDE SCAFFOLDING SERVICES LTD.
• SSSURGERY LTD
• SUGDEN DATA SERVICES LTD
• TF EFFECTS LIMITED
• THE FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIP ESTATE PLANNING LIMITED
• THRAETONA LTD
• TREBIFFEN HOLDINGS LIMITED
• UNTANGL LTD
• UPLAY SPORTS MANAGEMENT LTD.
• USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN LIMITED
• WALKER MORRIS RESOURCES LIMITED
• WILLIAMDALE PROPERTY GROUP LTD.

Liquidator appointments

• A BERRYMAN LTD
• A.J. HORNIG LIMITED
• ALTAMAR INNOVENTURES LIMITED
• BRIAN SU LIMITED
• BUCKLEBERRY LIMITED
• CABLE & WIRE TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD
• CENTRAL SKYE HOTELS LIMITED
• CLM HOLDINGS LIMITED
• CLM PROJECTS AND PROGRAMMES LTD
• DALKEITH SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• DAWSON COMMERCIAL AND ASSET FINANCE LTD
• DCTMG IT SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• DELIVERY FOCUSSED LTD
• DISSONANCE HOLDINGS LIMITED
• DISTINCT OPERATIONS LTD
• DLS CONSULT LTD
• ETL CLOUD LIMITED
• G2 SOLUTIONS LTD
• GBESJ CONSULTING LTD
• HILGOW LIMITED
• HOLTBY TURNER LIMITED
• HONESTA PROPERTY LTD
• HUGH ORDE LIMITED
• IMT CONSULTING LIMITED
• INCERTO LIMITED
• INSPIRED DESIGNS LTD
• JAYTEX (MANCHESTER) LIMITED
• JIGSAW DRINKS LIMITED
• KNOLE CONSULTING LIMITED
• LEAD IT CONSULTING LTD
• LIFESTYLE & HEALTHCARE LIMITED
• LIGGET SEA LIMITED
• LIGHTNING PERFORMANCE LIMITED
• M & L ARNOTT (CONTRACTING) LTD
• MANIYAR SERVICES LIMITED
• MAXALEXEV LTD
• MODERN REAL PROPERTY LIMITED
• MOGEN CONSULTANCY LIMITED
• MORE THAN ONE LIMITED
• N B ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC LIMITED
• NEWNORM EVENTS LTD
• ONE PRIME LONDON LIMITED
• OVATION OUTDOOR LTD
• PAUL & ASANGA LIMITED
• PAUL MILBURN TRANSPORT LTD
• PEREGRINE NETWORKS LTD
• PHOENIX OD & HR CONSULTING LTD
• RAVENSTHORPE AVIATION SERVICES LTD
• RAYBOULD BIC LIMITED
• RDS SERVICES HOLDINGS LIMITED
• RD CONSULTANTS LIMITED
• RD SERVICES (UK) LIMITED
• RENTADD LIMITED
• RED SQUARED SOLUTIONS LTD
• ROB J LTD
• RODNEY STREET 37 LIMITED
• SEARCH RECRUITMENT LIMITED
• S ELLIS CONSULTING LIMITED
• S.E.S. NUCLEAR LIMITED
• SEAGLASS CONSULTING LIMITED
• SHEPHERD AND WEDDERBURN (SERVICES) LIMITED
• SILVERSKY CONSULTING LIMITED
• SMERSH CONSULTING LTD
• SOLUTIONS SPECTRUM LIMITED
• SPEYSIDE SCAFFOLDING SERVICES LTD.
• SSSURGERY LTD
• SUGDEN DATA SERVICES LTD
• TF EFFECTS LIMITED
• THE FINANCIAL PARTNERSHIP ESTATE PLANNING LIMITED
• THRAETONA LTD
• TREBIFFEN HOLDINGS LIMITED
• UNTANGL LTD
• UPLAY SPORTS MANAGEMENT LTD.
• USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN LIMITED
• WALKER MORRIS RESOURCES LIMITED
• WILLIAMDALE PROPERTY GROUP LTD.

Winding up petitions (Companies) notices

• 360GLOBALNET LTD
• 365 DIVINE CARE LTD
• ACES JEWELLERS LIMITED
• ADVENT CARE SOLUTIONS LTD
• ADMIRAL CARE LTD
• AXE ESTATES LIMITED
• BIOWISE LONDON LTD
• BONO LONDON LIMITED
• BURLEIGH ESTATES (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
• C&J LANDSCAPING LIMITED
• CAVENDISH CLEANING LTD
• CBR PROJECTS LIMITED
• CARGO SOLVED LTD
• CHARLES DEVELOPMENTS (STAFFS) LIMITED
• CJS4 LTD
• COPIA METALS LIMITED
• CS CREATIVE SOLUTIONS LIMITED
• CURTIS TRAINING ASSOCIATES LIMITED
• DIRECT BACK OFFICE LIMITED
• DLL01 LTD
• DRONEPREP LTD
• DUMAN CHIPPY LTD
• EMMATT CONSTRUCTION LTD
• FIVE ZEROS SUPERCARS LIMITED
• FRESH HAVEN HEALTHCARE LTD
• FURBIES DOGGY DAYCARE LIMITED
• GABOTO LIMITED
• GFM ANIMATION LIMITED
• GOLDCREST CARE SERVICES LTD.
• GOWER STREET ANALYTICS LTD
• HAMSINI ENTERTAINMENT LIMITED
• HARIS ARCHITECTURAL SYSTEMS LTD
• HCG CONSULTANCY GROUP LTD
• HC MOBILITY SERVICES LTD
• HES FIRE AND SECURITY LIMITED
• INDEX CARE LIMITED
• INTELLITECTION LIMITED
• INTERCITY PCV SERVICES LIMITED
• IRENNE LTD
• IT HAPPENS LTD.
• IVISIT MEDIA LTD
• IWBI (UK) LIMITED
• JAE5 LIMITED
• JOS NORTH EAST LIMITED
• JPB ENGINEERING LIMITED
• JSH COOPERATION LTD
• JR CONSTRUCTORS UK LTD
• KPI PAYROLL SOLUTIONS LTD
• LAINSTON SECURITIES LIMITED
• LCOG LTD
• LIGHTBULB BESPOKE CARE, FAMILY SUPPORT & CONSULTING SERVICES LTD
• LONDON LABORATORY LTD
• LS PROCESSING LTD
• M J (HARROW) LTD
• MAR FOODS BELFAST LIMITED
• MAT CONSTRUCT SERVICES LTD
• MISTRAL CONSULTANCY LIMITED
• NI DESSERTS LTD
• NEWCASTLE PROPCO LTD
• NORTH HARBOUR MOTORCYCLES LIMITED
• NPEOPLE ADMINISTRATION LTD
• ONE CONNECTIVITY LIMITED
• OPTIMAL HEALTH GROUP LIMITED
• OXARA LONDON LIMITED
• PADSON GROUP LTD
• PARCEL PERFECT LTD
• PARKER BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS LTD
• PENGE AND POPLAR LTD
• PENLINGTON RICHARDS LIMITED
• PHILLIPS 121 LTD
• PINECONE LTD
• PLI CLEANING SERVICES LIMITED
• POOJA ENTERTAINMENT UK LIMITED
• PROGRESS PAYROLL LIMITED
• PROREAL RECRUITMENT LTD
• Q-EX TELECOMS LIMITED
• ROSS JACKSON GOLF LTD
• RS BROTHERS LTD
• RUBI LIVING LTD
• RYE PLANT HIRE LIMITED
• S.C. FARLEY ELECTRICAL LIMITED
• SB – WHITE TO BROWN LIMITED
• SEASONS WINDLESHAM LTD
• SUM TECHNICAL SERVICES LTD
• SWIM ACCELERATION LIMITED
• SYGIX LIMITED
• THE DELTA PROTECTION GROUP LIMITED
• THE DIRTY SOULS LTD
• THE KROWD VTG LTD
• TRANSFORMING YOUNG PEOPLE LTD
• U&S HIRE LTD
• UKBC LIMITED
• UWCB (SOUTHERN REGION) LIMITED
• VINTAGE SOCIAL CARE LTD
• WILLIAMS ASHTON & ANDERSON LIMITED
• WOODSTOCK SHUTTER COMPANY LIMITED

Winding up orders

• SMART BUSINESS TRADERS LTD
• ADVANCED BUSINESS VENTURES LIMITED
• AVOCOM LAW FIRM LLP
• DRINKSWORLD LIMITED
• FUNDRAISING AUCTIONS LIMITED
• GB SERVICES (N.E) LTD
• HBH CONSTRUCTION LTD
• M SQUARED BUILDING SERVICES LTD
• PICAFFO LIMITED
• RECONI LIMITED
• ROCKFORT CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
• SCIENTIA CONSULTING LTD