Legal and General’s annual State of the Nation research has revealed that over half (57%) of the UK’s small and medium size businesses have a positive financial outlook for 2022. According to Legal & General’s findings, one in three are planning to expand their businesses in the next 2 to 3 years.
11 Jan 2022
The optimism comes in spite of the fact that three-quarters (75%) of the UK’s small and medium size businesses now carry at least some external borrowing. This is up from 51% in 2019, when the research was last conducted. Furthermore, over half (54%) of founders or owners have used personal guarantees to secure their company borrowing which, in the event of a default, would pass the financial consequence onto themselves as individuals, increasing the associated risk.
Protecting those growth ambitions
The research shows Covid-19 has shifted perceptions of protection, with 4 in 10 businesses wishing that they had done more in advance with half of respondents (50%) also stating that the pandemic had made them more likely to consider insuring their business loans and putting protection in place in the event of the loss of their key people (47%).
The opportunity to help business owners protect their families, employees, and businesses is thus bigger than it has ever been before. 97% of UK SMEs said they are looking to professional advisers for advice so they are in the best position to offer well-designed propositions that can bridge existing gaps in protection and address the fact that so few businesses have previously had the chance to discuss their ability to deal with any future financial uncertainty.
Robert Betts, Market Development Manager, Legal and General: “The past two years have been especially tough for small businesses and spotlighted the need for a comprehensive back-up plan. Businesses can no longer rely on government-backed schemes and easily accessible borrowing to protect against an unforeseen crisis.“Our research has revealed that business owners are ready to discuss protection insurance solutions that could help them negate the financial impact of the death or long-term illness in their business. This presents an opportune moment for advisers to kickstart conversations with their clients about business protection and reiterate the value of their advice. As an industry, we have the tools at our disposable to support these conversations and help advisers protect both a business and family’s financial position.”
Established in 1836, Legal & General is one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with international businesses in the US, Europe, Middle East and Asia. With almost £1.3 trillion in total assets under management*, we are the UK’s largest investment manager for corporate pension schemes and a UK market leader in pension risk transfer, alternative asset origination, life insurance, workplace pensions and retirement income. Through inclusive capitalism, we aim to build a better society by investing in long-term assets that benefit everyone.
* at 30 June 2021
Legal & General Insurance (LGI) has been offering life insurance cover since 1836 and is the UK’s number one individual life insurance provider. Our group protection business in the UK offers life insurance and income protection products to individuals through their employers and we offer term-life insurance in the US. We now have over 5.5 million UK life insurance customers, 1.8 million people in group protection schemes and approaching 1.3 million US term-life insurance policyholders. Here in LGI, we protect our customers and their loved ones throughout life and death.
*at 31 Jun 2021