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.
Over 300,000 SMEs to cut jobs to cope with National Insurance hike, survey finds
The survey by iwoca found that 22% of SME leaders said they will reduce company headcount to cope with the hike.
Nearly half of SMEs will be negatively impacted by NIC hike, finds Shawbrook
As a result of the NIC hike, a third (33%) of business leaders said they will or already have had to increase the price of the goods or services they are offering.
Government launches new support for SMEs benefitting from defence investment
This investment aims to protect UK citizens from threats at home, but also create a secure and stable environment in which businesses can thrive.
Small firms call for £3,000 incentive to help hire new talent
Among small firms that already employed apprentices, 73% said the increased financial support could enable them to hire more in the future.
