PSTN Switch-Off
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The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) switch-off involves moving from traditional copper-wire landlines to digital, internet-based services.
- Hard Deadline: The final date for this transition is January 31, 2027.
- What to do: If your phone or equipment currently plugs directly into a wall socket, contact your provider to move to a VoIP (Voice over IP) tariff to keep your business number.
- Beyond Phones: Don't forget to check other critical services that rely on these lines, such as lift lines and alarm systems.
- Business Benefits: Switching to VoIP allows for advanced features like automated menus and enables multiple staff members to use the same business number simultaneously.
- Act Now: It is recommended to handle this transition early rather than waiting until the last minute to avoid potential service delays.
Autumn Budget
- No rise in the headline rates of income tax, National Insurance or VAT.
- Shops, pubs, cafés and other retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England pay no business rates up to a rateable value of £18,000 from April 2027, up from £12,000.
- Pubs, social clubs and most live music venues get 35% off their business rates in 2027/28 and 2028/29.
- 0% VAT on qualifying electricity is extended from 31 March to 30 June 2027.
- The National Living Wage rises to £13.21 an hour from 1 April 2027.
- The 5p fuel duty cut is extended to 1 July 2027.
For a full breakdown of the Autumn Budget, read our guide.
How to Avoid Expensive Out-of-Contract Energy Rates
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The problem: Business energy contracts can quietly expire… and when they do, many companies end up paying expensive out-of-contract rates without realising.
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Format: Phil reacts to a real business owner interview discussing what happens when business energy contracts expire.
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Phil's advice: Avoid expensive rollover rates. Stay ahead of contract renewals. Know what to do before renewal dates hit
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For business owners: write down your energy contract end dates and start comparing deals well before they arrive. Leaving it too late is how you end up on expensive rates without realising.
What Everest Base Camp Taught Me About Business
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The idea: Phil didn't reach Everest Base Camp in one giant leap. He got there one village, one climb and one step at a time. And that's exactly how business works.
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Lessons: staying focused on the next milestone to dealing with setbacks, keeping perspective and trusting the process.
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For business owners: big goals can feel overwhelming. Focus on the next step, expect setbacks, and keep going.
How to Switch Your Business Water Retailer
Switching your business water retailer is simpler than most owners think. In this short clip, Phil and Tom from Love Business explain how the process works and how little you need to do yourself:
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A quick chat first: a short conversation with our team to review your current contract and check whether switching is the right option for your business.
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We handle most of it: Love Business takes care of most of the switch for you.
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One email from you: you send a quick email to your current supplier to confirm you're leaving, and the rest of the switch happens in the background.
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The takeaway: switching your business water retailer doesn't have to be a hassle. A short conversation and one email are all it takes from you.
What is Business UnPHILtered?
Running a business is hard enough without jargon, hidden costs and contracts that roll over without you noticing. Business UnPHILtered is a video series from Love Business that cuts through the noise. Our CEO, Phil Foster, has run a business for more than 22 years. In each episode he talks to real business owners about the problems they face and the practical fixes that work.
No fluff. No jargon. Just straight answers.
Insight from Phil Foster
“Thanks for watching the introduction to Business UnPHILtered. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, just real, honest conversations about the things that actually matter when you're running a business. No fluff, no jargon, just straight talk. If this sounds like something you need, make sure you come back for the first episode. We're just getting started.” - Phil Foster, CEO of Love Business.
The Reality of Running a Business
This video, part of the Business UnPHILtered series, highlights the real-world challenges faced by small business owners.
- Costs: Owners note that costs are rising across the board, making it difficult to find time or resources to seek savings.
- Everyday frustrations: missing contract renewal dates, resulting in expensive out-of-contract rates, and the annoyance of unsolicited cold calls.
- Stress: One business owner emphasises the need for simpler processes, noting the stress of managing high overheads, such as wages for over 35 staff members.
- For business owners: the money you lose often isn't from big decisions. It comes from admin that slips while you're busy running the business.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Business UnPHILtered?
Business UnPHILtered is a video series that cuts through the noise and nonsense of running a business. Each week, host Phil Foster sits down with real business owners to talk about their experiences, challenges, and solutions, covering everything from cost strategies and people management to bills and beyond. No fluff, no jargon, just straight answers and real stories with genuine take-home value.
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Who is Phil Foster?
Phil Foster is a seasoned business owner with over 22 years of experience in running and scaling businesses. With a background specialising in cost reduction and bill management, Phil has developed a deep understanding of the challenges business owners face day to day. Business UnPHILtered is his way of sharing that knowledge openly, cutting through the confusion and giving business owners the honest, practical insights they actually need.
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How often is Business UnPHILtered updated?
New episodes drop regularly, with fresh content added each month. Each instalment brings new conversations, new stories, and new insights, so whether you're a first-time viewer or a returning one, there's always something relevant and useful to take away.
