Cheshire Independent Issue 213

MAY 2026 18 Independent BUSINESS SMALL firms are facing pressures comparable in scale to those during the Covid pandemic, accord- ing to a report from the House of Commons Busi- ness andTrade Committee. Tax burdens, energy costs, crime and late payments are among the issues highlighted in the report, which was launched by committee chair Liam Byrne to an audience of small business owners at the Federation of Small Busi- nesses Westminster office. The committee’s inquiry found that while emergency support was rapidly mobi- lised during the pandemic, there is currently no equiv- alent, coordinated response to the cumulative pressures now facing small and medi- um-sized enterprises (SMEs), despite their central role in the UK economy. SMEs account for 99.8 per cent of all UK businesses and form the backbone of local economies and high streets. Evidence to the committee has shown that many are now operating with little financial resilience and limited capacity to absorb further shocks. The Federation of Small Businesses estimates that tax compliance costs SMEs 242 million hours and nearly £25billion each year. There is also concern that the UK’s VAT threshold is dis- couraging firms from expand- ing, while complexity and cliff-edges penalise growth. The committee is calling for the reform the VAT system to remove growth-discouraging cliff edges. That would include reviewing the VAT registra- tion threshold and reducing complexity that penalises expanding firms, particularly in labour-intensive sectors. It also wants business rates replaced with a fairer system that reflects a firm’s ability to pay, reduces the burden on bricks-and-mortar businesses, and supports the vitality of high streets. Other recommendations include simplifying and improving access to the skills system for SMEs, ensuring training and apprenticeship provision is designed around the needs of smaller employ- ers and supports productiv- ity growth. The MPs have also called for introduced targeted energy support for SMEs, including fairer pricing, stronger pro- tections for smaller users, and greater transparency in the energy market. Committee chair Liam Byrne said: “The evidence we heard during this inquiry was stark. Many small busi- nesses are now operating under pressures comparable to those experienced during the Covid pandemic but this time without an emergency support framework in place. “SMEs are facing late pay- ments, rising energy costs, increasing crime, a complex tax system and barriers to growth that are compounding rather than easing. “These pressures are not iso- lated; together they pose a real risk to business viability, high streets and economic growth. “High streets do not die by accident. If the government is serious about growth, it must set out a more coherent and ambitious plan for the busi- nesses that make up so much of the UK economy.” VERNON Building Society has appointed Louise Thorpe to the newly created role of Chief Customer Officer. The Stockport headquartered society says the appointment has strengthened its executive team as it targets sustainable growth, while keeping member experience at the heart of its strategy. Louise has more than 22 years’ experience in the financial ser- vices sector. Starting in the branch network, she developed a strong foundation in frontline banking before progressing into senior roles. In 2022, she joined Darling- ton Building Society’s executive team where she most recently serves as Chief Customer Officer (CCO). In that role, she led the organisation’s mortgage and savings channels, along with member experience and market- ing functions. At the Vernon Louise will lead the society’s customer facing functions, including mortgage and savings distribution, prod- uct, proposition, marketing and customer lifecycle – known as customer services. She will also lead the end-to- end customer and broker experi- ence, embedding their needs into product design, service delivery and digital innovation. In a statement the Vernon said: “The creation of the CCO role sup- ports Vernon Building Society’s long-term ambition to modern- ise and transform the business, strengthen its presence across Greater Manchester and Chesh- ire, and expand its mortgage lend- ing and retail savings business as it works towards growing total assets to £1billion. “Over the next 12 months, the society is investing in digital transformation of their mortgage journey across both intermediary and direct-to-customer journeys to reduce friction, increase trans- parency and deliver a more seam- less experience.” Chief executive Darren Ditch- burn said: “The creation of Chief Customer Officer role enables us to sharpen our focus on delivering brilliant outcomes for members and brokers at a pivotal time of transformation and growth. “Louise is an authentic, high-energy leader with a proven record of building customer cen- tric cultures, transforming jour- neys and growing business in a way that still feels personal and human.” Louise Thorpe said: “Over the next few years, I look forward to working with colleagues to make the Vernon even easier to do business with across branches, broker partnerships and digital channels, so more people in our communities can access the prod- ucts, service and support only a modern mutual can deliver.” CORPORATION tax specialist Ellen Feetum has become a partner at Hurst in the latest round of promotions at the Stockport headquartered accounting and business advisory firm. Ellen joined Hurst from KPMG last year as an asso- ciate partner to lead its new corporation tax compli- ance offering. Meanwhile, Sarah Haley, who began her career at Hurst in 2006 as a graduate trainee, has been promoted to the new role of associate director in the tax team. She moved to KPMG in 2015 and rejoined as a manager in 2021. Five members of Hurst’s business services team who joined as trainees have also gained promotion. Ewan Lawson, Miles Redgrave, Jasmine Ali, Jake Holt and Todd Thompstone have become associate managers. The business services team carries out audit, compliance, strategic advisory, outsourc- ing and business planning work for a growing national client base. It is the largest team at Hurst, with more than 70 staff. The Stockport-head- quartered practice recently became part of the Dains Group, a national account- ancy and business advisory firm which operates from 30 locations across the UK and Ireland. Simon Brownbill, Hurst partner and director of practice development, said: “These are the first promo- tions since we partnered with Dains, and there will be many more to follow in line with our continued growth and our strategy to strengthen the team for the next phase of our journey.” THE government has pub- lished the final version of the Official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet – setting out key changes for tenants ahead of reforms coming into force on May 1. Letting agents and land- lords have a clear legal duty to provide the document to rel- evant tenants, with a strict May 31 deadline and financial penalties for non-compliance. The document explains how tenants’ rights and responsi- bilities will change under the new legislation. Failure to issue could result in fines of up to £7,000 per tenancy. The Act is delivering a major reform of private rental law in England. It reshapes the balance between landlords and tenants by introducing stronger tenant protections, tighter controls on rent practices, new compliance requirements and higher property standards. Landlords need to be pre- pared for the changes and be aware of what is needed to adhere to the new rules. Fail- ure to do so may prove costly. The main changes coming into force fromMay 1 include the abolition of ‘no fault’ evic- tions and the conversion of most Assured Shorthold Ten- ancies into rolling tenancies. Fixed terms will disappear and tenancies will continue on a month-to-month basis. Rent will only be payable up to one month in advance. Tenants will be able to ter- minate their tenancy by giv- ing two months’ notice to their landlord. This is designed to give tenants greater flexibility and mobility, while still pro- viding landlords with reason- able notice. From May 1, rent review clauses cannot be used for new increases Landlords can only increase the rent once a year and will need to give written notice of the rise at least two months before it takes effect. Any rent increase must be no higher than the open market rent. If the tenant thinks the proposed increase is above market rate, they can challenge it at the First- tier Tribunal. Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants with- out providing a legal reason for doing so. These include not paying rent on time or if the tenant or others liv- ing with them commit anti- social behaviour in or near the property. And tenants cannot be required to leave under some grounds for the first 12 months of a tenancy. Landlords must cite one or more of the statutory grounds for possession. If a mandatory ground is established at a possession hearing, the court must grant an order for pos- session. If only discretionary grounds are relied upon, the court will consider whether it is reasonable in light of all the circumstances. Landlords must advertise an asking rent and are not permitted to accept more than that advertised figure. There are other big changes coming on May 1. Tenants will have an implied right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords may not unreasonably refuse consent. If they refuse, they must inform the tenant in writing, setting out the reason why. They will need to consider each request on a case-by- case basis. Tenants can chal- lenge the landlord’s decision in court. The new Act also prohibits landlords and agents from discriminating against pro- spective tenants on the basis of benefit status or family sta- tus. Blanket restrictions such as ‘No DSS’ or exclusions tar- geting families will no longer be lawful. ‘Relieve the pressure’ The Renters’ Rights Act – are you ready? Partner role for Ellen in promotion push Promotion: Ellen Feetum Vernon appoints first CCO New role: Louise Thorpe