AN Oldham expert says the government's decision to extend the ban on winding up orders will give struggling businesses a further window to plan their survival when restrictions end.

The measures are designed to protect firms with pandemic-related debts from enforcement action by creditors. It means restrictions on the use of statutory demands and winding up petitions will remain in place until September 30.

Allan Cadman is north west chairman of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3.

He said: “While the extension of these measures will benefit many companies, as time goes on, the government will need to consider the impact on creditors. Balancing these interests is a difficult task for the government.

"The decision gives directors and business owners a further – and possibly final – window to plan how they will take their businesses forward when these temporary measures end. We urge them to use this time to seek advice from a qualified professional – and to do so as early as possible, so they can benefit from the broadest range of options available and have a greater time period to decide how they will move forward.”