Managing business costs and uncertainty
Support, guidance and financial options to help you build financial resilience and manage the impact of rising costs and economic factors on doing business.
Insights to help you plan ahead
With inflation on the rise and the interest rate increasing, all businesses must understand the bigger economic picture to inform their budgeting, forecasting and decision making. The Lloyds Bank Business Barometer can be a useful tool for small businesses to sense check their financial and operational business approach against the general sentiment of other business owners. This article helps you to understand each of the sections of the report.
How the Lloyds Bank Business Barometer can help your business
Help to build financial resilience
In times of uncertainty, financial resilience is more critical than ever. It can help you navigate challenging periods and adapt more easily to keep moving forward. Find out what you can do now to build resilience in your business with our guide.
Making your business more resilient to change
8 ways to support staff with rising costs
Staff are feeling the impact of rising prices. Find out how to support your staff whilst balancing your business needs.
Keep on top of your finances
Tracking your financial performance can help you identify and manage potential issues before they arise.
As well as cash flow forecasting and automated invoicing, our accounting software helps you manage expenses and see all your bank accounts in one place.
Try our accounting software free for 3 months
If you choose to continue, it’s only £5 per month with no obligation and you can cancel any time.
You can also keep an eye on your business bank accounts at any time by using our online banking services and Business Mobile Banking app.
Early warning signs of financial difficulty
If you’re struggling with cash flow, or to pay suppliers, these could be signs of financial stress.
By knowing what to look out for, your business will have more time to react to any problems.
Build mental resilience
Developed in partnership with Mental Health UK, our new hub page provides tips and guidance for improving mental health and building resilience to help set you and your business up for success.
-
There are some great charities and other organisations that can help with issues ranging from financial advice to mental wellbeing.
Business Debtline
Business Debtline is the UK’s only free dedicated debt advice service for people who are self-employed and other small business owners.
- Telephone: 0800 197 6026
- Website: www.businessdebtline.org
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
The FSB is non-profit making organisation promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms by offering access to services which help you protect your business, can save you money and those that can help you look to grow your business.
- Telephone: 01253 336000
- Website: www.fsb.org.uk
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper has been set up by the government to provide free and impartial money advice in person, over the phone and online. They offer guides to help improve your finances along with tools and calculators to help you keep track and plan ahead.
- Telephone: 0800 138 7777
- Website: www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
UK Finance
UK Finance is the leading trade association for the UK banking sector with their core priorities in helping customers both consumers and business, promoting growth and raising standards. Providing information on the current economy and providing a variety of training workshops and events.
- Website: https://www.ukfinance.org.uk
Step Change (Debt Charity)
Step Change offers free debt advice that is based on a thorough review of your situation. They will then provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed.
- Telephone: 0800 138 1111
- Website: www.stepchange.org/
Business Emergency Resilience Group 10 Minute Plan
To help businesses prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies, Business in the Community, the charity of which Lloyds Banking Group is a member, has produced a 10 minute plan. As seen with the recent floods in Cumbria, the increasing prevalence of cybercrime and the terrorist attacks in Paris, business can be significantly disrupted. This plan provides a framework on how to manage these emergencies.
Mental Health UK
1 in 4 people in the UK has experienced a mental health problem. Mental Health UK brings together over 40 years of expertise from four national mental health charities to provide advice, information and support.
- Website: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
The CAB provides free, confidential, impartial information and advice on a wide range of debt and benefits issues, face to face. Check your local phone book or Yellow Pages for the nearest Citizens Advice Bureau, or visit the Citizens Advice website for your area.
- Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Small Business Commissioner
20% of small businesses have run into cash-flow problems due to late or unfair payments. The Small Business Commissioner can help smaller business handle payment problems they have with their larger business customers. They can also help with checking contracts and getting invoices right.
If you’re a small business with fewer than 50 employees, they may be able to help you.
Lending Standards Board
The role of the Lending Standards Board is to monitor and enforce the Standards of Lending Practice and to ensure subscribers and their agents provide a fair deal to their personal and business borrowing customers.
National Enterprise Network
National Enterprise Network provides help and support for new, small and growing businesses in England, with a particular emphasis on start-ups and micro businesses.
- Telephone: 0190 860 5130
- Website: www.nationalenterprisenetwork.org
The Insolvency Service
The Insolvency Service is the government online resource to provide guidance on personal and company insolvency.
- Telephone: 0300 678 0015
- Website: www.bis.gov.uk/insolvency
The Farming Community Network
The Farming Community Network is a voluntary organisation & charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community with personal or business-related issues. They run a confidential, national helpline and e-helpline which is open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm with volunteers who provide free, confidential, pastoral and practical support to anyone who seeks help.
- Telephone: 03000 111 999
- Website www.fcn.org.uk
- Email: help@fcn.org.uk
While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information provided is correct, no liability is accepted by Lloyds Bank for any loss or damage caused to any person relying on any statement or omission. This is for information only and should not be relied upon as offering advice for any set of circumstances. Specific advice should always be sought in each instance.