There was some welcome news for UK businesses at the end of the summer. According to the latest Lloyds Business Barometer, business confidence rose to 53% in August, its highest level since March.
This is good news as we head into the final stretch of 2026, particularly after a year when businesses have had plenty of reasons to be cautious. There are still pressures, of course. Late payments remain a big one. Research published by ICAEW this summer found that 24% of businesses now view late payments as a growing challenge, reaching the highest level recorded in five years.
This spike in payment delays has intensified calls for government intervention. It ties directly into the legislative push for the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill, which aims to enforce a strict 60-day maximum on payment terms and levy automatic interest penalties on late payers.
This creates a striking paradox for the UK economy: order books are filling up and sentiment is soaring yet supply chain friction threatens to bottleneck that growth. It proves that a return to confidence doesn't immediately equal a return to liquidity. For many, navigating the final months of the year will be less about finding work, and more about funding it. A busy few months ahead
For some businesses, the run-up to Christmas means buying more stock. For others, it might be simply having the confidence to move ahead with plans that have been sitting on the desk for a while.
All of that can require money before it makes any money. That’s where planning ahead can make a real difference.
Planning ahead gives you options One of the best times to think about business finance is right before you urgently need it.
If you know the next few months could mean spending more to support your business, looking at the numbers early will give you time to work out how you want to fund it, rather than simply opting for the quickest option.
And business finance doesn’t have to mean taking out a traditional loan.
If you have money tied up in unpaid invoices, invoice finance could help bring some of that cash back into the business sooner. Or a credit facility may be better suited to you - giving you access to extra working capita , without borrowing the full amount upfront.
What will work depends on your business and what you want the funding to achieve.
Make the most of the momentum The final months of the year always bring a mix of pressure and opportunity, but the economic backdrop makes this seasonal rush unique.
Behind those numbers are business owners making plans.
If you are one of them and finance could help you put your plans into action, it’s worth understanding what’s available to you.
Talk to Phoenix Commercial Finance Phoenix Commercial Finance works across the whole market (from traditional banks to specialist lenders) to find commercial finance that fits your business and your plans.
If you would like a no-obligation conversation about what's available to you right now, chat with us on WhatsApp or fill in our no-obligation quick enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch with you shortly.
