More Firms in Financial Distress

26th April 2018.

The number of UK firms in financial distress has rocketed by a third from the same time last year, research out today has shown.

According to new figures in Begbies Traynor’s Red Flag Alert, nearly half a million businesses were in ‘significant’ financial distress at the end of March 2018, up 33 percent from the year before. Issues such as rocketing business rates, inflationary pressure and the prolonged Brexit uncertainty have slowly taken their toll on business owners. While transition agreements between the UK and Brussels are finally underway, there is still a long way to go before the post-Brexit landscape is certain. Other issues such as cold weather, the skills shortage and even the departure of EU workers, have delivered hard hits to service sectors such as construction and engineering. The so-called retail apocalypse has also kept a tight grip on retailers and many have been forced into CVAs or even surrendered to complete insolvency.

Financial distress does not have to be inevitable, and business owners can easily brighten their prospects by improving cash flow. At the Credit Protection Association, we have a variety of different services that we utilise to keep our members’ cash flow protected. Our debt recovery experts free up cash flow, our credit managers credit check all suppliers, and our newest department investigates late payment compensation that could be owed to our members.

According to the new research, a total of 255,131 businesses in the UK ended the quarter with negative net worth, while 110,266 had a considerable increase in their working capital deficit.

“While uncertainty around the outcome of the Brexit negotiations has undoubtedly had an impact on business confidence across the UK, the economy has also faced a wide range of unexpected headwinds which have dampened progress over the past year,” Julie Palmer, managing partner at Begbies Traynor said.

“Currency fluctuations, rising interest rates, subdued consumer spending and a cooling property market are just some of the factors that have combined with growing political uncertainty to push nearly half a million UK businesses into financial distress over the past 12 months.

Ric Traynor, executive chairman of Begbies Traynor said: “While the recent recovery in Sterling should put UK businesses who import raw materials into a stronger trading position, the biggest positive impact on business confidence is likely to come when we finally receive clarity over how our eventual exit from the EU will look”.

“In the short term, however, the most pressing issue is whether or not the Bank of England decides to raise interest rates next month. If they do, it could push many struggling businesses, particularly those with high levels of debt, into formal insolvency”.

The current economic climate is not kind to the business owner. The economy dips and skyrockets in equal measure, and the lingering political uncertainty is inspiring hesitancy in investors. Business owners can take control, however, and not let financial distress escalate to insolvency. Focussing on cash flow and stripping away all late payers and residual debt, can dramatically improve a firm’s financial position. Approaching a third-party credit control company is an easy way of ensuring this process is achieved efficiently.

At the Credit Protection Association, our collection team chases down unpaid invoices, providing our members with the resources to springboard them to new heights. Our credit checks, credit scores and company directories give our members complete control over who they conduct business with, allowing them the choice to sever or to cement ties.

Not only does our team free up cash flow and spring clean finances, we also have a special scheme using a little-used legislation that helps business owners realise a hidden source of cash and unlock hidden potential within their business.

So do not allow yourself to sink into financial distress, our team can help!

The Credit Protection Association is a credit management company established in 1914. If you supply goods or services on credit then we can help you!

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