The Budget outlined Labour’s tax direction, but many details remain unsettled. Labour argues its plan brings long-term stability, while the Conservatives warn of pressure on already-strained businesses. Lenders are reacting cautiously, adjusting models as tax shifts feed directly into cashflow and affordability. One client strengthened their asset-finance case thanks to improved allowances, securing better terms. Conversely, a consultancy paused a growth-loan application amid uncertainty over future liabilities. Historically, unclear tax policy slows borrowing, while generous reliefs unlock it.
Many SMEs are wondering whether borrowing costs will finally ease. Labour says its Budget lays the foundations for stability and gradual rate reductions, while the Conservatives argue it falls short on tackling inflation. Lenders are equally split: some have trimmed margins slightly, others are holding firm until the Bank of England signals a clearer shift. Recent refinancing cases show mixed outcomes, and today’s cautious market contrasts sharply with 2021’s cheap credit.
Business rates, planning reform and post-Budget policy shifts could be the difference between a deal that flies and a scheme that stalls. For commercial property owners, investors and developers, this article explores what any changes to business rate relief, planning rules and infrastructure spending might mean for valuations, cashflow and lender appetite.
We break down how policy decisions feed directly into bank risk models, development viability and refinancing options – and why some asset classes and regions could benefit more than others.
If you’re holding, developing or acquiring commercial property, this is what you need to watch in the months after the Budget.
Sustainability is no longer a bolt-on – it’s where capital and policy are heading. With the next Budget expected to prioritise green investment and infrastructure, businesses that align now could access better funding, stronger incentives and a real competitive edge.
Lenders are increasingly channelling capital into projects with measurable environmental impact – think energy-efficient retrofits, solar, EV charging, logistics upgrades and resilient infrastructure. For borrowers who can clearly evidence those benefits, that can mean sharper pricing, longer terms and a greater appetite to fund ambitious plans.
This article looks at how Budget-driven incentives, public-private investment and tougher sustainability reporting could reshape commercial finance – and what that means in practice for developers, operators and investors.
If you’re planning a green or infrastructure-focused project, now is the time to prepare your case, structure the right funding and position yourself at the front of the queue when new schemes and opportunities land.
The next UK Budget could quietly redraw the map for commercial borrowing – from how tough lenders’ criteria are to what it actually costs to raise finance. With rates still elevated, stricter affordability tests and nervous valuations, any shift in business rates, tax incentives or SME support could tip the balance between “approved” and “declined”.
This piece breaks down what the Chancellor’s decisions might mean for your funding options, refinancing plans and growth strategy – and the practical steps borrowers should be taking before Budget day to stay one step ahead.
Interest rates and inflation aren’t just economic headlines – they’re changing what it costs your business to borrow, refinance and grow. With the upcoming UK Budget, the stakes are high: a tax-cutting, big-spending package could keep rates higher for longer, while a more cautious approach may open the door to earlier rate cuts and cheaper debt.
This piece explains how the Budget influences borrowing costs, what it could mean for your refinancing or investment plans over the next 6–12 months, and the practical steps every business should be taking now – from reviewing existing facilities to stress-testing different interest-rate scenarios.
At Otium Partners, we help businesses use this uncertainty to their advantage. Read on to understand the risks, the opportunities, and how to position your funding strategy before the Budget lands.
This year’s Budget could make or break SME growth plans. Even small tweaks to tax, National Insurance or allowances can ripple through cashflow, profitability, and lending appetite overnight.
From potential cuts to employer NI to adjustments in corporation tax and R&D reliefs, every policy shift has a knock-on effect on how easily – and affordably – businesses can access finance.
At Otium Partners, we help SMEs get ahead of these changes by aligning funding strategies with tax planning, ensuring they’re ready to grow no matter what the Chancellor announces.
The upcoming Budget could quietly - or not so quietly - reshape how commercial lending works. With lenders tightening criteria and confidence still shaky, every policy tweak could make a real difference to business borrowing costs.
From potential business rate reforms to new SME funding schemes and investment incentives, Westminster’s next move will decide whether credit gets easier to access - or harder to justify.
Now’s the time for businesses to review lending terms, tidy up financials, and lock in favourable rates before market changes take hold.
At Otium Partners, we’re helping clients plan ahead so they’re ready for whatever the Chancellor announces. Because in uncertain times, proactive planning always beats reactive panic.
From conversions to ground-up builds, the right finance can be the difference between a smooth project and a stalled one. In this blog, Otium Partners explains how to structure property development finance in the UK, what lenders really want to see, and how we support clients from first plans to final drawdown.
Refinancing is not just about cutting costs. It is a strategic tool for releasing equity, improving cash flow, and funding growth. In this blog, Otium Partners explains when refinancing makes sense, how it works, and how we help businesses turn their balance sheet into a springboard for future plans.