On 2nd July 2026, we brought together business owners, advisers and construction leaders for a panel discussion about the pressure most business owners are feeling right now: cash flow strain in a higher-cost economy.The session paired advisers from finance, accountancy and lending to look at what’s actually happening in businesses today, and what owners can do about it.Couldn’t make it? Here’s what you missed.About the eventThe session focused on the real pressures shaping business performance:Rising labour and employment costsIncreased tax and National Insurance pressuresLonger payment terms and slower customer paymentsConstruction-specific cash flow gapsAccess to funding outside traditional high street bankingKey messagesThe conversation opened with a straightforward question to the room: who’s feeling cash flow pressure? Almost every hand went up. Since the pandemic, businesses have absorbed a run of cost increases that have squeezed margins hard, even where turnover looks healthy on paper.We covered a lot throughout the evening, but three messages stood out:1. Know your numbers throughout the year, not just at year endEmma White (A4G) explained why relying on annual accounts alone leaves business owners making decisions without the full picture. One of the most valuable reports we produce for clients is a balance sheet movement report, which shows where cash is actually being tied up, whether that’s debtors, creditors or stock.The earlier you spot changes, the more options you have.2. Plan finance before you need itGillian Palmer highlighted how much the lending landscape has changed. The days of a relationship bank manager who understood your business are largely over and construction is one of the sectors high-street banks turn away first. Businesses that plan funding early are in a far stronger position than those looking for finance under pressure.3. Remember that work in progress is still your moneySteve Taylor shared that 65% of businesses say customers are taking longer to pay than a year ago, and unpaid invoices are sitting on the books for weeks. Construction finance releases cash against certified or uncertified applications for payment within 24 hours, so work in progress doesn’t leave you carrying wages and materials costs alone. If cash is tied up in applications for payment or with a small number of customers, there are practical ways to improve cash flow and reduce risk without waiting for invoices to be paid.Watch the full event recordingMissed the session, or want to watch it back? The full recording is here: Our panelEmma White @ A4G Chartered Accountants – 01474 853 856 | enquiries@a4g-llp.co.ukGillian Palmer @ The Finance Hub – 01892 280000 | gillian@thefinancehub.moneySteve Taylor @ Bibby Financial Services – 07921548207 | Steve@bibbyfinancialservices.comWith thanks to our sponsor: Federation of Master Builders — representing over 6,500 vetted, accredited builders across the UK. Speak to one of the teamThe key theme running through the evening was that the earlier you plan, the more control you have over your business and your cash flow.If this session raised questions about your own cash flow, pricing or funding strategy, we’re here to help.Whether you’re looking to stabilise, grow or plan your next move, we can help you build a clearer, more resilient business. Book a 1-2-1 General EnquiryInstagramThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Your full name*Contact no.*Email address* Business name*Industry / Profession*Your messageBy submitting, you consent to being contacted via email or phone by one of our Advisers and acknowledge that the information you provide will be securely stored for future communications in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).CAPTCHA Make a quick enquiryFurther reading…Browse blog posts with further information on topics discussed. BlogWhere is my time best spent? Why chasing overheads is the wrong... Find out more Blog12 month vs. 3 month cash flow forecasting: Which is best? Find out more BlogHow to increase your prices without losing your best customers Find out more Blog5 places your profit is leaking (and how to plug them this... Find out more BlogRecession concerns in the UK: what business owners should focus on now Find out more ArticleWhat are Management Accounts and why do I need them? Find out more Other posts of interest 28th May 2020An alternative to liquidation: The Creditors Voluntary Arrangement Read more 21st August 2024The ‘Moneyball’ Concept Read more 4th June 2025Creative Industry Tax Reliefs (CITR) Read more See more articles