There was a moment of relief in April, as official data showed UK inflation falling to 2.6%. That dip revived speculation that the Bank of England might begin cutting interest rates, offering a potential respite for businesses under pressure.

Still, economic uncertainty lingered. With planned hikes to National Insurance and the minimum wage combining with rising household bills (energy, water), many companies held back on investment, hiring and expansion plans.

This was a reminder that macroeconomic “relief” rarely results in an immediate rebound. Deals still need rational business fundamentals; in this environment, operational resilience, steady cash flow, and disciplined cost control became even more attractive to prospective buyers.

As always, if we can help in any way, we’re happy to do so.

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*Sources: The Guardian, Office for Budget Responsibility