Cowbell launches professional indemnity and cyber cover for UK tech firms
The product offers limits of up to £5m and combines professional indemnity with specialist technology cyber cover.
Over a third of female SME owners face gender bias – AXA UK
Research revealed that 53% of the female SME owners surveyed said they felt pressure to prove themselves more than male business owners.
UK small businesses lead Europe in AI use, research reveals
Research by IONOS showed UK small businesses had the highest AI use at 37% compared to Germany at 32% and France at 26%.
Rising costs and inflation remain top concerns for SMEs – Shawbrook
Almost eight in 10 (78%) of SMEs said they worried about inflation and the cost of living, an increase from 69% in 2024.
Hospitality sector sees 16.9% rise in revenue-based finance applications in 2024
Data from 365 Finance revealed that approved advances to the hospitality sector rose by 20.6% last year compared to the previous year.
SMEs lose £3.4bn annually due to cybersecurity gaps, research reveals
Vodafone Business revealed that individual cyber-attacks cost small businesses £3,398 on average.
Majority of SMEs to adjust employee benefits amid NIC increase – Canada Life
The survey found that 61% of companies intended to modify their approach to insurance-based benefits to cut costs.
SMEs urge action on skills and tax incentives as Government reforms receive mixed response
Shawbrook research reveals SME support for tax freezes and apprenticeship reforms, but urges more action on skills, red tape and R&D investment.
28% of HR practitioners believe NI hikes will pose a significant challenge, GRiD finds
This is as employers brace themselves for hikes in National Insurance contributions (NICs) on 6th April 2025 and the reduction in the threshold at which they are due.
Only 40% of SMEs feel prioritised by current Government, finds Shawbrook
Neil Rudge, chief banking officer, commercial at Shawbrook, said: “Our latest research highlights the key concerns facing SMEs in navigating the current economic landscape."
SMEs call for tax cuts to revive stagnant economy
Research from Shawbrook showed that over a third of SME leaders believed tax breaks for reinvestment (36%) would provide a boost to their businesses.
Government launches new Board of Trade to support SMEs
The new look Board will be charged with helping businesses, including the country’s 5.5 million SMEs, to boost their exports.
