Business news 9 December 2025

The UK government’s push to boost small business confidence took centre stage today, with ministers urging the nation to back SMEs ahead of Small Business Saturday. Late payment reform remains the cornerstone of the new Small Business Plan, aiming to protect suppliers from slow-paying corporates. Meanwhile, global corporate manoeuvres in tech and media highlight volatility in international markets, with implications for UK firms reliant on exports, digital supply chains, or trade credit. UK consumer spending remains fragile, and market conditions mixed, underscoring the need for strong credit controls as we approach year-end.

James Salmon, Operations Director.

SME-FOCUSED STORIES

Minister for Small Business urges the nation to back SMEs

Small Business Minister Blair McDougall urged the public to “back small business” as the government ramps up support ahead of Small Business Saturday. He emphasised the role of small firms in economic recovery and highlighted new measures from the Small Business Plan — from finance support and export access to reducing bureaucracy.
Why it matters: A stronger policy focus on SMEs could improve funding access and confidence, but delays in implementation mean credit pressures will remain in the near term.

Government to crack down on late payments

McDougall confirmed that late-payment legislation is a central priority, with reforms expected in early 2026. Proposed laws — described as the most comprehensive in 25 years — aim to force big firms to pay suppliers faster.
Why it matters: Faster payments from large customers would dramatically reduce cashflow strain for SMEs and lower bad-debt exposure.

ECONOMIC STORIES

Black Friday spending muted due to Budget uncertainty

Retail sales in November grew just 1.4%, below the annual trend, as shoppers held back in anticipation of Budget announcements.
Why it matters: Low consumer demand increases the likelihood that retailers will extend payment terms to safeguard cashflow.

Household card spending falls 1.1% year-on-year

Barclays data shows the sharpest decline in spending since early 2021, reflecting subdued economic confidence.
Why it matters: Reduced consumer activity and weaker turnover heighten late-payment risks across retail and hospitality supply chains.

BUSINESS STORIES

Unilever completes demerger of The Magnum Ice Cream Co NV

Unilever has spun off its ice-cream arm as a standalone listed business, with shares trading in Amsterdam, London, and New York. A share consolidation at Unilever will follow.
Why it matters: Business separations often lead to administrative changes and temporary payment delays during transition periods.

Paramount makes a 108bn dollar cash bid for Warner Bros Discovery

Paramount has lodged a 108bn dollar offer to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, aiming to block Netflix’s competing bid. The offer includes financial support from a private-equity firm linked to Jared Kushner.
Why it matters: Major media consolidation may trigger contract renegotiations and slower decision-making for UK production firms trading on credit.

Google developing new AI smart-glasses for 2026 launch

Google is working on two sets of AI-powered glasses — one with displays, one audio-only — marking a return to wearables after the failure of Google Glass.
Why it matters: Early-stage hardware sectors can generate high demand, but SMEs supplying components or services face elevated credit risk if development cycles stall.

Trump allows Nvidia to ship H200 chips to China with surcharge

Donald Trump has permitted Nvidia to resume shipments of H200 chips to China with a 25% surcharge and approval controls, potentially restoring significant sales.
Why it matters: Semiconductor market stabilisation can benefit UK suppliers to the tech sector, but geopolitical volatility continues to threaten payment reliability.

EMPLOYMENT

Jobs market showing signs of recovery

ManpowerGroup expects hiring to rebound early next year after months of stagnation.
Why it matters: Improving employment markets can lift demand, but SME wage pressures may tighten cashflow and elongate payment cycles.

New rules require employers to inform staff about trade unions

Under the Employment Rights Bill, all employers must now provide union-related information to new hires.
Why it matters: Additional compliance tasks increase administrative overhead for time-pressed small business owners.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

FCA pushes firms to reduce jargon in investment materials

The FCA has outlined reforms to simplify investment documents and widen access to tailored support for retail investors.
Why it matters: Clearer investment flows may ultimately improve funding options for small businesses.

TAX & GOVERNMENT

Mansion tax concerns raised by Church leaders

The Bishop of Manchester warned that proposed mansion tax thresholds could affect many vicarages.
Why it matters: Any changes to property taxation can influence household budgets, indirectly affecting consumer-facing SMEs.

Aldi raises concerns over inheritance tax changes for family farms

Aldi’s UK chief urged government reconsideration, warning that the proposals could harm British farm succession planning.
Why it matters: Higher tax pressure on producers may affect supply stability and create cost pressures for food-sector SMEs.

HMRC clarifies rules around ISA overpayments

HMRC says savers who exceed the 20,000 pound limit may receive a letter and should contact their ISA provider.
Why it matters: Tax confusion can suppress consumer confidence, affecting SMEs reliant on discretionary spending.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Councils warn they are close to financial collapse

Twenty-nine councils say they cannot meet obligations without emergency loans, citing unrelenting demand and rising costs.
Why it matters: Councils under financial strain may delay payments to suppliers, increasing risk for SMEs with public-sector contracts.

Tees Valley Combined Authority misses audit deadline

TVCA will receive a disclaimed audit opinion after failing to meet its reporting deadline.
Why it matters: Governance issues can delay payments or funding schemes involving local suppliers.

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Financial markets were mixed across Monday and Tuesday as investors waited for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision.

Equities

  • The S&P 500 fell 0.35% to 6,846.51 — its biggest drop in over a week.
  • Nasdaq 100 declined 0.2%.
  • The Dow fell 215.67 points to 47,739.32.
  • The FTSE 100 is broadly flat at 9,645.75, while the Euro Stoxx 50 is slightly lower at 5,715.26.

UK banks continue to outperform global peers, with Lloyds, Barclays and NatWest delivering some of the strongest returns in the market this year.

Interest rates and bonds

  • Markets expect an 89% chance of a quarter-point Fed rate cut tomorrow.
  • US Treasury yields: 10-year at 4.15%, 2-year at 3.58%.
  • UK gilt yields are rising again, with the five-year moving above 4%.

Commodities

  • Oil: WTI at 58.86 dollars, Brent at 62.51 dollars.
  • Natural gas down 3.7% to 4.73 dollars.
  • Gold recovering to 4,234.90 dollars per ounce ahead of the Fed announcement.
  • Copper near record highs at around 11,771 dollars per tonne.

Currencies

  • Pound at 1.3302 dollars, slightly weaker.
  • Pound at 1.1438 euros, slightly stronger.
  • Euro strengthening on ECB commentary, while the US dollar softens ahead of the Fed meeting.

What this means for SMEs:

Volatile energy prices, weaker sterling, and shifting rate expectations continue to influence import costs, borrowing costs and customer demand. SMEs selling on credit should remain cautious as liquidity pressures remain uneven across sectors.

INSOLVENCIES

Appointments of Administrators

  • HELIARC HUSTLERS LTD
  • NEIL SIMON HAULAGE LIMITED
  • NEWS TRANSPORT LIMITED

Appointments of Liquidators

  • A G F (UK) LIMITED
  • ASSETFINANCE JUNE (D) LIMITED
  • B. & B. LIFTING EQUIPMENT LTD.
  • CARRINGTON CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED
  • CHINA COURT BAKERY GLASGOW LIMITED
  • CICOR UK PROPERTIES LTD
  • ECS GROUP OF COMPANIES LIMITED
  • ENTIRE BUILDING LIMITED
  • ENVIZI UK LIMITED
  • EQUIS ASSOCIATES LIMITED
  • EPIFANIC LTD
  • EUROVINE IT LIMITED
  • FREELANCE EURO SERVICES (MDCLXXXIII) LIMITED
  • GEOFFREY DAVIES LIMITED
  • HALSNEAD LAND LIMITED
  • INNOVATIVE DC LIMITED
  • IPPATROL LTD
  • K K & L J ENTERPRISES LIMITED
  • KENT BOILER MAINTENANCE LTD
  • KWR HOLDINGS LIMITED
  • MADA PROPERTIES LTD
  • MEDICAL & COSMETIC MOULDINGS LIMITED
  • MOTION INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
  • NOW ADVERTISING LIMITED
  • PPNL SPV B66 LIMITED
  • PPNL SPV B66 – 1 LIMITED
  • SCARLET CONSULTING SERVICES LIMITED
  • SPENCER BROS (CLOTHIERS) LIMITED
  • SUSTAINABLE WEALTH LTD
  • UK NOVAPAY LTD

Winding-Up Petitions

  • ALLIED GLOBAL TOBACCO LTD
  • BON V LIMITED
  • DELKO LIMITED
  • DEVIL’S ADVOCATE LIMITED
  • NAB GROUP LTD
  • PACTUM LAW LIMITED
  • PHILLIPS PLUMBING AND HEAT-ON LTD
  • TC CARPENTRY AND BUILDING LIMITED
  • UC CONTRACTORS LTD

CPA Membership

Late payments remain the biggest threat to small business cashflow. If you are waiting too long to be paid, or have customers drifting beyond terms, let CPA step in. Our CreditCare monitoring and recovery service helps reduce risk, encourage faster payment, and protect your cashflow at the time you need it most.

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,