How supporting small businesses can help contribute to net zero goals in the UK
Small businesses are often referred to as the backbone of the UK economy. They account for a vast majority of all businesses and employ millions of people. Beyond their economic contributions, these enterprises are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact on the UK’s environmental goals, including achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The journey […]
Smaller businesses backed by the Start Up Loans programme have higher survival rates finds independent evaluation
Smaller businesses backed by the government’s Start Up Loans programme have higher survival rates than other businesses, finds and independent evaluation, conducted by SQW working in partnership with Professor Mark Hart, Qa Research and The Data City. The programme also supports a significantly greater proportion of smaller businesses outside London and the South East, as […]
Employability sector stars recognised at ERSA Awards
The stars of the employability sector shone brightly as winners of this year’s Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Awards were announced in London. The most prestigious accolades in the sector recognised outstanding contributions across 15 categories covering national, local and specialist providers. The awards, now in their 12th year, were sponsored by Whitehead Ross Education […]
New support for Small Business from HMRC
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has launched a new interactive online tool and clearer guidance for people working for themselves and individuals considering self-employment. Aimed at supporting new and existing ‘sole traders’ to better understand their responsibilities, the new interactive tool explains the records they may need to keep, taxes that may apply to their […]
Government-backed review to explore sustainability benefits for small businesses
A Government-backed review has been launched to support millions of small UK businesses to boost their bottom line through sustainability. Campaign group Small Business Britain, which is spearheading the review, said it aims to identify and highlight the potential financial benefits that can be captured by bringing in green practices. The initiative will be jointly […]
Business concerned by employment rights bill
The British Chambers of Commerce has used an evidence session on the Employment Rights Bill to highlight businesses’ serious concerns about the legislation and the speed and detail of consultation. The issues included: A lack of detailed consultation on wide ranging changes to Trade Union powers. Businesses are keen for further consultation on the new […]
Government’s experimental AI chatbot to help people set up small businesses and find support
Thousands of small businesses across the country will be able to get help and advice through the UK government’s generative AI chatbot, as it moves to the next stage of testing this week – making it easier and quicker to find information on GOV.UK. Up to 15,000 people will be able to ask the tool […]
A stats story: how many small businesses are there in the UK?
Small businesses form the beating heart of the UK economy. The latest official government data shows an astonishing 99.8% of all UK businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), from sole traders to micro-companies with a handful of employees. Learn more about the UK’s small businesses: How many small businesses are there? According to the […]
More than one third of women do not think they get equal pay in their organisation
More than one third of women (36%) believe they do not get the same pay as men at their organisation, according to a new survey. Workplace expert Acas commissioned YouGov to survey perceptions of pay equality.The survey showed that more than one third of women believed they were not being paid as much as men. […]
Business Secretary Updates BCC Business Council
Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds met with the BCC’s Business Council on 12 Septmeber to discuss progress on the Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth. Top executives from some of the UK’s most prominent companies were given an update on his assessment of the economic and trade landscape ahead of October’s Budget. The council […]