UKDI Cycle 8: what defence technology SMEs need to know
UKDI Cycle 8 offers funding for rapidly deployable defence technologies. Here are the challenge areas, deadlines and readiness checks for UK SMEs.
Operations
Technical education from 14: what the reforms could mean for small employers
New technical pathways from age 14 are intended to connect pupils with local employers and industries. Here is what England’s small businesses should watch.
Primark price cuts: five practical lessons for small retailers
Primark is cutting prices on hundreds of core products as online rivals intensify competition. Here are five useful pricing and stock lessons for small UK retailers.
Making Tax Digital: the first quarterly update deadline is 7 August
More than 864,000 sole traders and landlords face the first Making Tax Digital quarterly deadline. Here is what affected small businesses should check before 7 August.
Defence SME action plan: how small firms can pursue new contract opportunities
The MOD wants to increase its spending with SMEs by £2.5 billion by summer 2028. Here is what the new action plan means and how capable small firms can prepare.
Tax adviser registration deadline: what small firms should check before 18 August
Tax advisers who are new to dealing with HMRC, or who currently interact with it without certain online accounts, have until 18 August 2026 to register under a new mandatory system. The immediate duty falls…
Digital services accessibility: a practical check for UK SMEs
The government wants essential online services to become easier to use and more inclusive. Here is what the direction of travel means for SMEs and what they can check now.
UK-India trade deal is live: a practical checklist for small exporters
The UK-India trade agreement took effect on 15 July. Small exporters should now check tariffs, origin rules, pricing and paperwork before quoting Indian customers.
New novel food guidance: what small food businesses should check now
The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland have published new guidance for cell-cultivated and novel food businesses. Small firms should use it to check whether a product needs authorisation before launch.
Vaping Products Duty: what retailers and wholesalers should check before October
HMRC has set out what UK retailers, wholesalers and distributors should do before Vaping Products Duty and duty stamps affect vaping products released from 1 October 2026.