What's inside this report
We asked thousands of UK business owners how they're really accessing finance in 2026 – what's working, what's not, and their plans for the future.
Where businesses actually get funding - Banks? Brokers? Alternative lenders? Who's using what, and why traditional banks are losing ground.
The real challenges SMEs face - Rising costs and cash flow gaps top the list, but late payments and supplier pressure aren't far behind.
What matters when choosing a lender - Speed matters. Flexibility matters. Endless paperwork and three-week approval times? Not so much.
Sector breakdowns - Construction businesses need funding differently than hospitality. Retail has different pain points than manufacturing. We break it all down.
Regional insights - London businesses access finance differently than those in Wales or the East Midlands. Location matters more than you'd think.
What's coming in 2026 - Where business owners are confident, what worries them, and how they're planning to handle rising costs and tax burdens.
