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Azets responds to April 2026 insolvency statistics

There were 2,085 corporate insolvencies in April 2026 – 2.4% more than in March 2026 (2,037), and 2.8% more than in April 2025 (2,028). Richard Oddy, Restructuring and Insolvency partner at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets, shares his thoughts on the data. April’s … [Read more...]

Small Business Protections Bill introduced to Parliament

Landmark legislation has been introduced to Parliament that will give small businesses, sole traders and freelancers greater protections from late payments by larger firms. 38 businesses every single day because they are not paid on time, while late payments also force business owners to spend … [Read more...]

New reforms take effect for private rented tenancies

From 1st May 2026, new national rules have come into force that change how tenancies work within the private rented sector (PRS), setting clear expectations for landlords and giving greater security for residents. Under the changes, which local authorities including Stockport Council will be … [Read more...]

Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75%

The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has voted to hold interest rates once again at 3.75%. The Bank's economists voted 8 to 1 in favour of the decision, with one member supporting raising interest rates by 0.25 percentage points. Informing the decision, the MPC cited high … [Read more...]

Claire’s closes all UK stores

High street staple, Claire's, has closed all its UK and Ireland stores, including its location in Stockport's Merseyway Shopping Centre after appointing administrators for the second time in 12 months earlier this year. All of the retailer's 154 standalone stores have closed, with more than 1,300 … [Read more...]

Rising fuel prices push inflation to 3.3%

Rising fuel prices as a consequence of war in Iran pushed inflation to 3.3% in March, according to the latest Consumer Price Index published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). According to the ONS, the average price of petrol rose by 8.6 pence per litre between February and March 2026 to … [Read more...]

UK unemployment rate falls for first time since 2024

The unemployment rate has fallen to 4.9% in the three month period to February 2026, down from 5.2% where it had been predicted to stay. In the North West, the fall was even sharper, with unemployment at 4.6%, down 0.4 percentage points on the previous quarter. However, rather the rate of … [Read more...]

Azets responds to March 2026 insolvency statistics

Government data has revealed there were 2,022 corporate insolvencies in March 2026, 6.7% more than in February 2026 (1,895) and 1.4% more than in March 2025 (1,995). Matthew Richards, Joint Head of Restructuring & Insolvency at international accountancy and business advisory group Azets, … [Read more...]

Increased minimum wage rates take effect

Increased rates of the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage have come into force from 1st April 2026. The new rates bring into effect recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission in Autumn 2025, which were accepted in full by Government in November's Budget. New rates, payable from … [Read more...]