Business news

UK inflation is back above 3% — and this time much of the pressure is coming from fuel, transport and energy.

August CPI rose to 3.1%, private-sector wage growth has slowed to 2.9%, and oil remains above $100 a barrel.

For SMEs, that combination matters.

Higher supplier and delivery costs can arrive immediately, while customers may take longer to pay as their own finances tighten.

Today’s CPA Business News looks at:

• Rising UK inflation and fuel costs
• A softer labour market
• Pressure ahead of the October Budget
• Oil, currencies and global markets
• Today’s UK insolvency notices

CPA helps businesses protect cashflow through CreditCare credit reports, debtor monitoring and professional Overdue Account Recovery, helping secure payment while protecting valuable customer relationships.

Read the full update on the CPA website.

cpa.co.uk/uk-business-news-today-16-september-2026-economy-markets-insolvencies/

#SMEs #Cashflow #LatePayment #CreditManagement #UKBusiness #Inflation #EnergyCosts #Insolvency #BusinessNews

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UK inflation is moving higher again and businesses need to watch what happens next.

CPI rose to 3.1% in August, driven by sharply higher petrol and diesel prices. With energy costs still elevated, some economists now expect inflation to move above 4% in the months ahead.

For SMEs, that matters well beyond the headline inflation number.

Higher energy, fuel and borrowing costs put pressure on margins throughout the supply chain and financially stretched customers can quickly become slower-paying customers.

Today’s CPA Business News looks at:

• Inflation and the outlook for interest rates
• Growing pressure ahead of the October Budget
• Global markets following the latest US rate rise
• Oil remaining above $100 a barrel
• Today’s UK insolvency notices

Strong credit control becomes even more important when costs are rising.

CPA’s CreditCare credit reports and debtor monitoring can help businesses identify changing customer risk, while our Overdue Account Recovery Service provides a professional and considerate route to recovering overdue invoices while protecting valuable customer relationships.

Read the full briefing on the CPA website.

cpa.co.uk/uk-business-news-today-17-september-2026-economy-markets-insolvencies/

#SMEs #Cashflow #LatePayment #CreditManagement #UKBusiness #Inflation #InterestRates #Insolvency #BusinessCosts #EnergyPrices