PHAM NEWS | MAY 2026 14 Business Matters


Burnout a risk for many small business owners


Nearly half of UK small business owners and sole traders have considered quitting due to stress, with more than half reporting symptoms linked to burnout, according to new research from Markel Direct. The survey of 1,000 self-


employed individuals highlights growing pressure points behind entrepreneurship, including long hours, financial insecurity, isolation and declining health habits.


One of the most common challenges is the lack of boundaries between work and


personal time. The data shows 57% of respondents regularly work beyond standard hours, while 40% report expectations from clients outside of the working day. Without a defined finish to the day, many say they struggle to properly switch off. Financial strain is another key driver of stress. A third of small business owners said they do


not feel financially secure, while 48% said they cannot afford


to take time off. The findings suggest cash flow pressures are contributing to longer working hours and fewer breaks. Isolation is also weighing


heavily, with nearly four in 10 respondents saying working alone increases stress levels despite most enjoying self-employment overall. Health is being deprioritised,


with 44% reporting they sleep less than recommended, and six in 10 skipping medical appointments or exercise due to workload demands. Chartered psychologist Dr


Katie Barge explains that burnout typically develops gradually and can present through persistent fatigue, irritability, reduced concentration and difficulty switching off, alongside disrupted sleep and growing disengagement from work.


Markel Direct divisional director Rob Rees says that while burnout pressures are clear, most small business owners remain committed to self-employment, with 75% saying they enjoy being their own boss and seven in 10 describing it as more fulfilling than traditional employment. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/15


Changes to rates for rented property


Business rates across England have been updated following a revaluation by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), with new rateable values based on rental levels as of April 2024. The update forms part of the VOA’s three-year


review cycle and will see thousands of commercial properties reassessed, with revised figures now available via the agency’s online register. According to Emily Tuckwell, assistant rural


surveyor at Robinson & Hall, the changes could have a direct impact on eligibility for Small Business Rates Relief, which offers 100% relief for properties with a rateable value below £12,000 and a tapered level of support up to £15,000, subject to occupation criteria.


Customer matching with AI platform


Checkatrade has launched a new app inside ChatGPT, allowing consumers to fi nd and book vetted local tradespeople directly through the AI platform. The integration lets users describe a home


improvement job and either receive a list of suitable professionals or, for simpler tasks, a fi xed price and instant booking option within ChatGPT. Users are guided through a short set of questions to


refi ne the job, such as location, type of work required and key job details, before being matched with appropriate tradespeople. For straightforward tasks, the system can return an indicative fi xed price and allow booking without leaving the chat. More complex requests are routed to a selection of


relevant tradespeople who can provide quotes, with the aim of speeding up the process of getting work priced and arranged. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/18


Emily Tuckwell says the revaluation could have a “material impact” on occupiers sitting close to these thresholds, particularly those near the £15,000 rateable value limit who risk being pushed out of eligibility as valuations are updated. A phased legal duty, introduced on 1st April, requires


ratepayers to notify the VOA of any changes that could affect a property’s rateable value, including physical alterations, changes in tenancy or changes in use. The requirement will also extend to properties not currently on the rating list, but which should be. Notifications will need to be made within 60 days, with penalties expected for non-compliance. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/17


Analytics tool streamlines fl eet data


Motive has launched an AI-powered analytics tool designed to help UK fleet and operations teams make faster decisions by unifying performance data and reducing reliance on manual reporting. Built into the company’s existing dashboard, Motive Analytics brings together information across safety, fuel, maintenance and telematics into a single system. This cuts down on spreadsheets and fragmented reporting by giving teams a clearer, real-time view of operations. A key feature is AI Answers, a conversational tool that lets users ask questions in plain language and get insights and visualisations. Queries such as vehicle downtime or driver idle time are automatically processed into usable data without specialist input. The company says many organisations still struggle with disconnected legacy systems, leading to delays in reporting and decisions based on outdated information. The new platform helps to address that gap by making operational data more accessible. The system also allows users to build dashboards, drill into operational issues, link performance to cost outcomes, and share insights across teams to improve safety, efficiency and margins. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/19


Plumbing and heating businesses are being urged to review their online security following the introduction of HMRC’s Making Tax Digital requirements on 6 April, with warnings that the sector is increasingly being targeted by fraudsters. The fraud prevention service Get


Safe Online says firms are facing a rise in scams linked to purchasing, payments and data theft, as more business activity moves online. Tony Neate, chief executive of


Get Safe Online, says everyday pressures often push security down the priority list, but warned that cyber protection should be treated as essential. He encouraged firms transitioning to digital tax systems to also take time to improve online safety practices using official guidance. Common threats include


purchase fraud, where businesses pay for goods that never arrive, and payment diversion scams, which redirect legitimate supplier payments into criminal accounts. Other risks include impersonation attempts, fake investment schemes and ransomware attacks. Get Safe Online advises


businesses to use credit cards for online purchases where possible, verify any unusual payment requests by phone using known contact details, and be cautious about sharing business information online. Businesses should also


recommend using strong, unique passwords, enabling automatic software updates, installing up-to-date antivirus protection, and avoiding suspicious links or attachments. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/20


Reporting gap in tool thefts


Nearly one in four tool theft incidents are going unreported despite a slight fall in cases last year, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance. The data shows there were 26,724 reported tool thefts across the UK in 2025, equivalent to one incident every 20 minutes. While this marks a 17% decline compared with 2024, the insurer says the true scale of the problem is likely signifi cantly higher due to under-reporting. According to the fi ndings, 23% of


tradespeople who had tools stolen did not report the crime to police at all. This comes against a backdrop where 74% of tradespeople say they have been victims of tool theft during their careers, with 32% experiencing it more than once. Almost half (49%) reported being targeted in the past year alone. With the average value of stolen


tools estimated at £1,300, total losses are believed to have reached around £35 million last year. However, industry fi gures suggest this is a conservative estimate when unreported incidents are taken into account. Beyond the immediate


fi nancial hit, thefts are disrupting livelihoods. Direct Line found that 34% of aff ected tradespeople borrowed tools from colleagues to stay on the job, while 28% relied on friends and family. Others used their own spare equipment or limited themselves to work they could complete with reduced kit. Tool theft from vehicles accounts


for nearly 42% of all incidents, often leaving tradespeople facing both equipment replacement costs and vehicle damage. Mark Summerville, SME product manager, says tool theft continues to have a “devastating impact” and remains a major concern for 81% of tradespeople, even as reported fi gures fall. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/526/16


Staying safe online campaign


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