Inflation, costs and cash flow
Strategies and financial solutions to help you reduce business costs, mitigate risk and manage cash flow.
Tips and insights to support you with managing inflation, costs and cashflow. You can also find further help with Managing business costs and uncertainty, including:
- What do if your business is falling behind on payments, or you're worried that it might
- In partnership with Mental Health UK - tips and guidance on building mental resilience
- Adapting or making changes to your business
Managing business costs
How to reduce costs
When inflation rises, so do business costs. There are a number of strategies you can use to limit the impact, both in the short and long term. From reviewing travel budgets and cutting down wastage to reimagining office space and investing in green technologies, we have some ideas to help.
When is it time to put your prices up?
When costs are increasing as they have been for the past few years, keeping your business profitable and resilient can be challenging. Deciding that you need to raise your prices has a financial impact on your customers so it's something that needs careful consideration.
Managing cash flow
Ways to manage short term cash-flow pressures
Running out of cash can be a problem for many businesses, especially during the current economic climate. Late payment can leave you unable to pay your suppliers and staff, or cover overheads. Every business needs funds to purchase goods and services and these will often be held as stock until they are sold, so there may be a period of credit before the end customer pays.
From good forecasting, scenario planning and getting paid promptly, there are ways to inject cash into your business and better manage your cash flow through financial products that may be less costly than an overdraft.
Energy and fuel costs
Smart solutions to fuel price volatility
Many Scottish businesses are feeling the pressure of volatile fuel costs. Find out how switching to smarter solutions can help.
Managing the business impact of Low Emission Zones
A guide to the impact of Low Emission Zones and support to help you to look at ways to upgrade your vehicle and manage the additional costs.
Products to help short-term cashflow needs
Managing risk
Many businesses aren't aware of the risks they're exposed to when they import, export, borrow or save. It’s therefore helpful to understand these risks and find solutions to protect your business against cash-flow issues or reduced profitability. When trading internationally, you can protect your business against the risk of not getting paid or receiving goods and services, as well as fluctuations in currency exchange rates which could impact profit margins.
Finding ways to manage the cost of borrowing for your business can have a positive impact on your cash flow and profitability, helping to protect your business against unexpected increases in interest rates, and allow you to forecast cash flow more easily.
Reduce costs through sustainability
Find out how transitioning to low-carbon, sustainable business models and pursuing clean growth opportunities can help you reduce costs.
Get in touch
Call your named Relationship Manager or our business management team. We are available from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm on Saturday. Telephone: 0345 300 0268 (+44 (0)131 549 8724 if you're outside the UK)
If you have a hearing or speech impairment you can use Relay UK. More information on the Relay UK Service can be found at https://www.relayuk.bt.com .
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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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
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
- 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.
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.
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.
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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
*To help small businesses with the impact of inflation and rising costs of business, we are temporarily waiving unauthorised borrowing fees and returned item fees. Find out more about our Business Overdraft fees for businesses with £0-3m turnover and businesses with £3-25m turnover.