Ministers discuss Make Work Pay plans with small business leaders
In the latest series of meetings on the Make Work Pay plan, the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds on Wednesday, 11 September hosted a Small Business Breakfast in Downing Street to discuss the upcoming legislation. Ministers are reaching all parts of the business community – large and small, and across […]
Connecting members to the UK government’s Small Business Crown Representative
On 11 September, Made in Britain delivered an online roundtable inviting Shirley Cooper OBE, Small Business Crown Representative, Cabinet Office, on behalf of the UK government, to discuss the new Procurement Act and the commercial opportunities it opens for UK SME manufacturing companies. The Procurement Act is now scheduled to take effect on 24 February […]
Midlands Engine Investment Fund II commits £1m in small business loans to West Midlands businesses
The British Business Bank’s Midlands Engine Investment Fund II has agreed more than £1 million in small business loans through appointed fund manager for the West Midlands, BCRS Business Loans. The milestone comes as 18 small businesses across the West Midlands have benefitted from small loans agreements since the fund launched earlier in the year. […]
New tool helps small businesses create privacy notices
The ico has launched a new, quick and easy-to-use tool to help small organisations and sole traders create a bespoke privacy notice and protect people’s information rights. Under data protection law, every organisation that holds people’s information needs to explain why it holds it and what it does with it. This is so their customers, […]
Government announces £800 million plan to deliver high-speed broadband to 312,000 rural homes and businesses
Mid August, The UK Government announced significant investment aimed at improving digital infrastructure in rural areas, with plans to provide faster broadband to approximately 312,000 homes and businesses across Great Britain. This initiative, backed by up to £800 million in government funding, seeks to address the digital divide that has left many rural communities with […]
British Business Bank commits record £2.3bn in smaller business finance to the market in 2023/24
British Business Bank commits record £2.3bn in smaller business finance to the market in 2023/24, but reports unrealised loss due to short-term fall in valuations. Louis Taylor, CEO, British Business Bank, said: “In the last year, the British Business Bank has performed above expectations against a backdrop of challenging market conditions, making funded commitments of […]
Join various events for Business Finance Week
With a host of free nationwide and regional in-person events, webinars and more, Business Finance Week helps smaller businesses learn about the different finance options available to them to support their individual needs. Whether an established business or looking to grow, finding information and guidance around finance can be complex and challenging for smaller businesses. […]
Innovate UK Launchpads – apply for funding
Innovate UK’s Launchpad programme is aimed at supporting SMEs and the most innovative businesses to progress their ideas toward commercialisation. Each Launchpad region benefits from various forms of support such as funding for research and development, opportunities for networking and collaboration, and access to innovation specialists including Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs). Innovate UK has […]
Britain set for growth with International Investment Summit
The UK will host a major International Investment Summit on 14 October 2024, advancing opportunities for investment and growth across the country. Economic growth is the government’s top priority, and investment is one of the key pillars of the Chancellor’s growth strategy. The summit will make clear that the UK is “open for business” as […]
Digital trade enters new era
The prospect for significant growth in global e-commerce and other digital trade has received a big boost. It follows the conclusion of an agreed text by a majority of states through the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) E-Commerce joint initiative. Altogether, 91 countries (which account for 90% of all global trade) have initially signed up to […]