Businesses should look at options to fund growth in face of Budget, say UKSE
11 Nov 2025
Published in: Member News
As businesses prepare for the impact of the second Budget to be delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves they should still consider options for growth, writes Steve Grice, Midlands Regional Manager for UKSE.
Media speculation is rife on the likely announcements on November 26, with enterprises waiting to see how they are affected.
The Chancellor Rachel has said her upcoming Budget will be "difficult" and has refused to rule out tax rises despite Labour's pre-election pledge not to hike income tax, VAT or National Insurance.
Last year’s measures included companies paying National Insurance at 15 per cent on salaries above £5,000, up from the previous level of 13.8 per cent on salaries above £9,100.
Regardless of the final contents of the Chancellor’s famous red box, the Budget comes at a time when business leaders have got used to operating against a backdrop of uncertainty.
Not only do businesses have to figure out where they can make progress in an economy which has in recent years been affected by the pandemic, the shocks brought by the war in Ukraine and the cost of crisis, but there have been global changes to consider.
The tariffs introduced by US President Donald Trump have come alongside conflicts including those in the Middle East and China asserting itself.
Our regional economy has been disrupted by the five-week shutdown of Jaguar Land Rover's factories following a cyber-attack.
While companies “lick their wounds” from the disruption, at UKSE we would encourage them to still find space to look at the options available to get funds to realise their growth or expansion plans.
UKSE makes minority equity investments in a range of businesses, ensuring management stays in control and offering a flexible exit policy. Unsecured loans up to £200,000 are also available, often without the need for personal guarantees.
We celebrated our 50th anniversary this year, having invested in West Midlands firms since our launch in 1975. Given the peaks and troughs in the economy since then, we have a great pool of experience to draw upon.
When the future course is unclear businesses should still investigate the options available in order to have plans to capitalise upon when the time is right.
Just as the best businesses will be thinking about the next machinery investment, or the next hire, it should also be the case that you keep abreast of the changing funding market.
This will allow you to take advantage of changes within your industry and the wider market more quickly.
At UKSE, our driving force is to generate growth, create jobs and bolster the economy rather than be focused on narrow financial returns. From our Midlands office we support SMEs across Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford.
Among those to benefit from our support are Safe Haven Training, based in Mill Street, Cannock, who are providing work for twice the number of people employed prior to receiving a five-figure funding package from UKSE in 2024.
Owner Shane Bryan said: “The investment from UKSE has transformed our business and allowed us to realise our dream of becoming a nationwide training provider, which would not have been possible otherwise.
“We have invested in a bespoke CRM system to support our growth plans and have increased employment from 25 to 50 people, including 18 full time staff compared with 11 previously.
“Our revenues have close to doubled and we are working with some leading national and international companies, some of which are household names, as we are meeting a niche of focussing on first aid training for clients nationwide.”
Award winning pork pie maker TC Morris secured funding from UKSE to help facilitate their move from Walsall Street in Willenhall to new larger premises in Dudley following a period of growth.
Chief executive and fourth generation family member Charlotte Tennant had ambitious growth plans for the business and went on to recruit an additional five members of staff.
Charlotte said: “The funding from UKSE has provided us with the working capital to continue to operate during the move. Mike and Steve have been a great support to us and genuinely want us to succeed.”
Married couple Cameron and Elizabeth Wakeman secured funding from UKSE in April 2024 to help them acquire Halesowen-based Midland Wire Mesh Ltd, an industrial wire mesh manufacturer.
Since the acquisition, Cameron and Elizabeth have grown the business by diversifying its services and investing in new machinery, including a guillotine, and implemented new processes to enable them to branch out into different sectors. The company has employed two new members of staff.
Business owner Cameron Wakeman said: “We wouldn’t have been able to buy Midland Wire Mesh without UKSE, so we are very grateful for their support. Elizabeth and I always wanted to run our own business, and now we have realised our dream of doing so and are excited for the future.”
All of these businesses and many more have realised the opportunities in front of them, despite the challenging economic picture. If the Budget proves to be short of good news, you may find there are still ways to secure the funds to take your company to the next level.
• To find out more about UKSE, visit www.ukse.co.uk.
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