New data reveals firms are pulling back on investment, borrowing more to maintain cashflow, and taking on greater personal financial risk.

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, with small business owners already worried about the prospect of tax hikes, 53% of UK small business owners say they need to secure funding or finance in order to invest in growth plans for 2026.

UK Finance’s latest Business Finance Review shows that SME lending by the main high street banks increased by 8 per cent in the second...