Bank Rate held at 3.75%: what SMEs should do about borrowing costs now
The Bank of England has held Bank Rate at 3.75%, but small firms should not assume cheaper borrowing is close. Here is what to check on cash flow, finance costs and pricing.
UK-India trade deal starts on 15 July: what SMEs should prepare
The UK-India free trade agreement enters into force on 15 July 2026. Small exporters and importers have a short window to check origin declarations, pricing and supplier paperwork.
CMA tightens Google Search rules: what small businesses should watch
The CMA has imposed new rules on Google Search covering fair ranking and data portability. For UK SMEs, the practical issue is how search visibility, AI answers and complaint routes may change.
Inflation held at 2.8%: what SMEs should watch on transport, food and margins
UK CPI inflation stayed at 2.8% in May, but the detail matters for small firms: transport inflation rose sharply while food and household-related costs eased.
CMA clears ABF-Hovis deal: what small food firms should check
The Competition and Markets Authority has cleared Associated British Foods’ planned acquisition of Hovis, a decision that matters beyond the supermarket bread aisle. For small food businesses, independent retailers, cafes and local suppliers, the ruling…
HMRC phases in payrolling benefits in kind: what small employers should prepare for
HMRC says mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind will now be phased in from April 2027, giving small employers more time to prepare payroll data, software and staff processes.
New VMD online form: what animal medicine retailers should check
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate has launched an online registration form for internet retailers of veterinary medicines. Small retailers should check product scope, launch timing and website compliance before selling online.
AI fraud warning: what small businesses should tighten now
UK Finance says payment fraud reached £1.28 billion in 2025, with authorised fraud losses rising sharply. Small businesses should treat AI-enabled scams as an operational risk, not just a consumer problem.
HMRC minimum wage checks: what small employers should review now
HMRC has updated its employer factsheet on National Minimum Wage checks, making this a useful moment for small firms to review pay records, working time and underpayment risk.
UK-Japan investment deal: what SMEs should watch for
The UK-Japan investment package points to opportunities in clean energy, technology, infrastructure and life sciences, but small firms should watch for practical supply-chain routes rather than headlines alone.