In The News

Recent news headlines relating to UK businesses, entrepreneurs, and sole traders.

The Small Parties’ Election Manifestos 2024 And SMEs

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The Small Parties' Election Manifestos 2024 And SMEs

26 June 2024 – As the UK uses the first-past-the-post voting system, smaller parties realistically don’t have the chance to lead the government. But that doesn’t mean a vote for them is pointless. That’s because their MPs can still influence policies made in Westminster, especially if the government doesn’t have a large majority. So here … Read more

Labour Manifesto 2024: What It Means For SMEs

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Labour Manifesto 2024: What It Means For SMEs

19 June 2024 – The banner the Labour Party carries for the next Parliament is the party of wealth creation. To emphasise this cause, a third of the Labour Manifesto 2024 was focused on uplifting the economy and empowering businesses throughout the country. Improved finance options for SMEs As expected, the Labour Manifesto provided a … Read more

Conservative Manifesto 2024: What’s In It For SMEs

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Conservative Manifesto 2024: What's In It For SMEs

13 June 2024 – As the self-titled party of business, the conservative manifesto 2024 is among the most anticipated news for many small businesses across the UK. Many small businesses will be pleased to know, SMEs weren’t left out in the campaign. SME development and growth  Small businesses are poised to take centre stage in … Read more

Consumer Card Spending Up By Only 1% Compared To 2023

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Consumer Card Spending Up By Only 1% Compared To 2023

6 June 2024 – Surprisingly, consumer card spending has hit a three-year low, even with falling inflation. In April, inflation hit 2.3%, a far cry from October 2022’s 11.1%—the highest in 41 years. This fall was supposed to boost consumer spending. But in reality, many are still pinching their pennies despite recovering consumer confidence due … Read more

New Online Consumer Rights Laws To Come Into Effect

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New Online Consumer Rights Laws To Come Into Effect

30 May 2024 – More severe penalties are in store for businesses that mislead customers over online purchases. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC Act) received Royal Assent on 24 May and will set the tone for consumer laws in digital markets. The new online consumer rights laws will include more measures to … Read more

Government To Introduce Skills Bootcamps For Unemployed

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Government To Introduce Skills Bootcamps For Unemployed

22 May 2024 – The government has announced plans to implement more stringent regulations to curb legal immigration. Unfortunately, this will be a massive blow to small businesses that are barely surviving the current labour crisis. As a response, skills bootcamps will be established, offering a potential solution for the businesses in the industries that … Read more

UK Companies At Risk Of Missing Decarbonisation Targets

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UK Companies At Risk Of Missing Decarbonisation Targets

9 May 2024 – UK firms risk straying from the 1.5°C pathway of the Paris Agreement if the downward trend of achieving decarbonisation targets persists into next year. A collaboration between the CDP and Bain & Company Inc. disclosed this finding in their report on UK corporate decarbonisation. On a positive note, smaller companies led … Read more

How New Brexit Import Charges Impact Small UK Businesses

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How New Brexit Import Charges Impact Small UK Businesses

1 May 2024 – The new Brexit import charges are now official. Despite a delay (five times, in fact), agricultural imports worth £21bn will be subjected to a much more stringent importation procedure. This will include physical checks, health certificates, and identification for 3% of all UK imports. Adopting the new measures could cost importers … Read more

Economic Conditions For Small Businesses Remain Challenging

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Economic Conditions For Small Businesses Remain Challenging

24 April 2024 – Current economic conditions still pose a challenge for many small businesses. However, the latest Office of National Statistics report suggests a steady recovery for SMEs in some areas.  Of the 9,666 responses from the Wave 106 survey data in this report, 95% reported an active trading status in April 2024.  In … Read more

Is Rise In UK Unemployment Rate Sign SMEs Struggle?

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Is Rise In UK Unemployment Rate Sign SMEs Struggle?

17 April 2024 – The UK unemployment rate has been at its highest in six months, according to the latest Office for National Statistics report.  The current figure comes in the wake of the diminishing number of vacancies in the market, a tell-tale sign of a cooling labour market. The UK labour market in numbers … Read more