Retail sales volumes fell sharply in April, with the latest official figures pointing to weaker fuel demand, softer clothing sales and a monthly dip in online spending. For small retailers, the useful lesson is less…
Applications have opened for operators that want to run taxi, bus and private hire-style self-driving passenger services in Great Britain, creating a new pilot route that transport, mobility and technology SMEs should watch carefully. The…
A temporary VAT cut for children’s meals and family attractions will run across the UK this summer, giving hospitality, leisure and visitor-economy SMEs only a short window to check whether they qualify and how they…
The UK has agreed a new free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, creating a potential export opening for small firms in food and drink, manufacturing, professional services, technology and other sectors that already…
Thirteen British technology companies have won Ministry of Defence contracts worth up to £4 million each, in a fresh signal that smaller firms may get more direct routes into defence procurement. The awards have been…
The Competition and Markets Authority has updated its programme of work on Apple and Google’s mobile platforms, giving UK app developers, fintech firms and digital SMEs a clearer signal of the areas that may shape…
The government has introduced the Small Business Protections Bill to Parliament, setting out what ministers describe as the toughest late-payment regime in the G7. For UK small businesses, the headline is simple: large firms could…
The government has announced the first steps in a long-awaited reform of the Consumer Credit Act, with rules set to move toward a more flexible regime overseen through the Financial Conduct Authority rulebook. For many…
Rising food and input costs are still putting pressure on small traders, with one Northampton business owner warning that some ingredients have more than doubled in price over the past year. The BBC reported that…
HMRC has updated its Employment Allowance guidance, giving small employers a useful reminder to check their payroll setup carefully when changing software provider. The allowance can reduce eligible employers’ Class 1 National Insurance bill, so…