The UK’s brewery scene is shrinking after a wave of closures, adding another warning sign for independent brewers, pubs, taprooms and small hospitality suppliers. BBC analysis of Companies House data reported that 320 beer-brewing businesses closed last year while 170 opened, leaving a net loss of 150. By April, the number of UK beer brewing…
More than a million people in the UK now have second jobs, according to BBC reporting on the rise of the multi-job workforce. For small employers, that is not just a labour-market curiosity. It can affect hiring, rota planning, staff wellbeing, availability and retention. The story reflects a wider pressure that many SMEs will already…
The government has announced a GBP120 million support package for the UK ceramics sector, with applications expected to open in the summer once final design work is complete. For small manufacturers, suppliers and specialist workshops in the ceramics chain, the detail will matter more than the headline figure. The package is intended to support capital…
The government has confirmed amended Fuel Duty rates for 2026 to 2027, including an extension of the cut in Fuel Duty rates until 31 December 2026. For small firms that rely on vans, deliveries, mobile teams, plant, farm equipment or local service travel, the announcement is not a windfall. Fuel remains a volatile cost. But…
The first amber heat-health alert of 2026 is a useful prompt for small employers to check how they manage hot working conditions, especially where staff are on the road, outdoors, in kitchens, workshops, warehouses or busy customer-facing premises. The UK Health Security Agency has issued an amber heat-health alert for the West Midlands, East Midlands,…