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Latest News:

  • One in five small firms have already cut staff – and the worst may not be over
  • ITV dangles £500,000 TV advertising prize for Britain’s fastest-growing smaller firms
  • Barclays reopens the high street door as digital-only rivals circle
  • Barclays retreats from small business lending after private credit shocks
  • Government sets £7.4bn small business spending target to boost local growth and jobs
  • Big firms face multimillion-pound fines under crackdown on late payments
  • Government to consult on ECITB and CITB merger into single construction skills body
  • Spring Statement 2026: Rachel Reeves trims growth forecast as Middle East tensions cloud outlook
  • Energy bills could hit £2,500 if Iran conflict disrupts global gas supplies
  • UK shop price inflation slows to 1.1% in February, easing cost of living pressure
A group of farmers and family business owners is challenging the government’s controversial inheritance tax reform in court, claiming ministers failed to properly consult before announcing sweeping changes in the Autumn Budget.

Inheritance tax is coming for family businesses – and the £1 million cap changes everything

From April 2026, full inheritance tax relief for family businesses is capped at £1m. With 5.1 million family firms employing 15.8 million people, the impact could reshape UK business succession.

A quiet revolution in small business finance has reached what may be a turning point. Challenger and specialist banks now account for 60 per cent of all lending to UK small businesses - a figure that would have seemed implausible a decade ago, when the traditional high street lenders still controlled the market.

Challenger banks now hold 60 per cent of small business lending – and the high street wants it back

Challenger banks now account for 60% of all UK small business lending — but for the first time in a decade, their market share has stopped growing. Here is what it means for SMEs.

The owner of John Lewis and Waitrose are launching a £1m fund that will channel cash into projects with the potential to end the high street’s “throwaway” culture.

Employee ownership was booming – then the taxman changed the rules

EOT sales have dropped from 550 to around 350 after the government tightened tax rules on employee ownership trusts. What small business owners considering an exit need to know.

It is one of the most perverse incentives in the British tax system, and HMRC's own data now confirms what accountants and small business owners have been saying for years: thousands of firms are deliberately holding back growth to avoid crossing the £90,000 VAT registration threshold.

The £90,000 ceiling that is quietly stopping small businesses from growing

HMRC data shows thousands of small businesses are capping turnover to avoid the £90,000 VAT threshold. Cafés cut hours, tradespeople work four-day weeks — and the economy pays the price.

Small business owners are warning that 2026 could be one of the most challenging years in recent memory, with many saying they feel overwhelmed by a convergence of rising costs, regulatory change and strategic uncertainty.

One in five small firms have already cut staff – and the worst may not be over

New research shows 21% of UK SMEs cut staff last year as employer NICs, business rates and rising costs take their toll. Hospitality firms are hardest hit.

The lack of paid paternity leave for self-employed fathers is leaving families facing what campaigners describe as an “impossible choice” between bonding with a newborn child and maintaining an income, as the government begins a long-awaited review of parental leave and pay.

The Employment Rights Act lands today – here is what small employers must do now

Key provisions of the Employment Rights Act take effect from 6 April 2026, including day-one paternity and parental leave and tougher redundancy rules. Here is what small businesses need to know.

ITV has struck a media partnership with the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards that will hand one winning British business £500,000 of airtime across the broadcaster's channels and its ITVX streaming service in 2026.

ITV dangles £500,000 TV advertising prize for Britain’s fastest-growing smaller firms

ITV has struck a media partnership with the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards that will hand one winning British business £500,000 of airtime across the broadcaster’s channels and its ITVX streaming service in 2026.

NatWest, the UK's largest business bank with 1.5 million business customers, is set to provide expedited access to loans of up to £250,000 within 24 hours of application, in response to increasing competition from alternative lenders.

NatWest wants 50,000 entrepreneurs in its accelerator

NatWest is expanding its Accelerator programme to 50,000 UK entrepreneurs in 2026, with new university hubs and growth support. Here is how small businesses can benefit.

New sustainability reporting standards are bearing down on UK businesses, and the vast majority of small firms have done next to nothing to prepare.

Most small firms are nowhere near ready for net zero reporting – and the deadline is closing in

Only 13% of SMEs have formal net zero plans in place as 2026 sustainability reporting rules approach. With £52,000 a year in potential gains, inaction is costing small firms twice over.

  1. Inheritance tax is coming for family businesses – and the £1 million cap changes everything
  2. Challenger banks now hold 60 per cent of small business lending – and the high street wants it back
  3. Employee ownership was booming – then the taxman changed the rules
  4. The £90,000 ceiling that is quietly stopping small businesses from growing
  5. One in five small firms have already cut staff – and the worst may not be over
  6. The Employment Rights Act lands today – here is what small employers must do now
  7. ITV dangles £500,000 TV advertising prize for Britain’s fastest-growing smaller firms
  8. NatWest wants 50,000 entrepreneurs in its accelerator
  9. Most small firms are nowhere near ready for net zero reporting – and the deadline is closing in

Latest News…

Small business owners are warning that 2026 could be one of the most challenging years in recent memory, with many saying they feel overwhelmed by a convergence of rising costs, regulatory change and strategic uncertainty.

One in five small firms have already cut staff – and the worst may not be over

New research shows 21% of UK SMEs cut staff last year as employer NICs, business rates and rising costs take their toll. Hospitality firms are hardest hit.

ITV has struck a media partnership with the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards that will hand one winning British business £500,000 of airtime across the broadcaster's channels and its ITVX streaming service in 2026.

ITV dangles £500,000 TV advertising prize for Britain’s fastest-growing smaller firms

ITV has struck a media partnership with the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards that will hand one winning British business £500,000 of airtime across the broadcaster’s channels and its ITVX streaming service in 2026.

Barclays

Barclays reopens the high street door as digital-only rivals circle

Barclays is reversing years of branch closures, expanding its high street network and restoring the bank manager title as Revolut and Wise chase current account customers.

Barclays has reported a 19 per cent rise in first-quarter profits, as market turmoil driven by Donald Trump’s return to the White House boosted trading revenues across its investment banking arm. The FTSE 100 lender posted pre-tax profits of £2.7 billion for the three months to the end of March, beating City forecasts of £2.5 billion. The performance was powered by a surge in revenues from Barclays’ markets division, which capitalised on investor reaction to sweeping policy changes by the Trump administration. Revenues in the markets business climbed 16 per cent year-on-year to nearly £2.7 billion, driven by a 21 per cent increase in fixed income, currencies and commodities trading, and a 9 per cent rise in equities. Activity soared as traders helped clients rapidly rebalance portfolios in response to new US trade and economic measures. The gains offset a rise in loan loss provisions across the group, which increased to £643 million from £513 million a year earlier. Barclays said this included a £74 million charge for “elevated US macroeconomic uncertainty”, reflecting the potential impact of Trump’s newly imposed global tariffs. The results mark a win for chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan, known as Venkat, who unveiled a three-year transformation plan in early 2023 to revive shareholder confidence and reposition the bank. His strategy includes rebalancing Barclays away from its historically volatile investment banking arm and bolstering its UK consumer and corporate businesses, alongside a commitment to return £10 billion to shareholders by the end of 2026. Investment banking fees also saw a strong uplift, rising 16 per cent to £1.2 billion from advising on takeovers, capital raises, and debt issuance. Despite the market gains, challenges remain for Barclays as it navigates a shifting global landscape. Trump’s new trade tariffs, including heavy levies on Chinese goods, pose risks to the global economy and could threaten growth in the UK and US — key markets for the bank. Venkat acknowledged the uncertain backdrop but struck an optimistic tone: “Our high quality, diversified businesses, together with proactive risk, capital and liquidity management and a robust balance sheet, position us well to support our customers and clients and deliver strong risk-adjusted returns in a wide range of macroeconomic scenarios.” Barclays shares have performed strongly since Venkat’s turnaround plan was announced last year, but ongoing geopolitical and economic volatility may test the resilience of his strategy in the months ahead.

Barclays retreats from small business lending after private credit shocks

Barclays is cutting back lending to small businesses after losses linked to private credit firm collapses, raising concerns over access to finance.

The UK government has set out plans to channel more than £7.4 billion a year directly to small businesses by 2028, in a major push to rebalance public spending and drive economic growth across local communities.

Government sets £7.4bn small business spending target to boost local growth and jobs

The UK government will direct £7.4bn a year to small businesses by 2028, setting new departmental spending targets to boost growth, jobs and local economies.

The mental health impact of late payments is finally being acknowledged, with new guidance launched to help freelancers and small business owners cope when cashflow uncertainty starts to bite.

Big firms face multimillion-pound fines under crackdown on late payments

Large UK companies could face multimillion-pound fines for late payments as new laws introduce a 60-day limit and stronger powers for the Small Business Commissioner.

The Government has announced it will launch a 12-week consultation on whether the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) should merge to form a single statutory training body for the construction and engineering construction sectors.

Government to consult on ECITB and CITB merger into single construction skills body

The Government will consult on merging the ECITB and CITB into a single industry training body, as leaders warn engineering construction skills must remain protected amid plans to boost growth and clean energy jobs.

Rachel Reeves delivered her 2026 Spring Statement against the backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East and mounting fears that higher energy prices could derail the fragile recovery taking hold in the UK economy.

Spring Statement 2026: Rachel Reeves trims growth forecast as Middle East tensions cloud outlook

Rachel Reeves delivers Spring Statement 2026 with downgraded growth forecast, rising unemployment and improved fiscal headroom, as business leaders warn of energy shocks and economic fragility.

Household energy bills could climb to as much as £2,500 a year if the escalating conflict involving Iran leads to prolonged disruption in global gas supplies, analysts have warned, raising the prospect of a renewed energy crisis.

Energy bills could hit £2,500 if Iran conflict disrupts global gas supplies

UK energy bills could surge to £2,500 a year if the Iran conflict disrupts LNG supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, analysts warn, as wholesale gas prices jump 50%.

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Business

A group of farmers and family business owners is challenging the government’s controversial inheritance tax reform in court, claiming ministers failed to properly consult before announcing sweeping changes in the Autumn Budget.

Inheritance tax is coming for family businesses – and the £1 million cap changes everything

From April 2026, full inheritance tax relief for family businesses is capped at £1m. With 5.1 million family firms employing 15.8 million people, the impact could reshape UK business succession.

A quiet revolution in small business finance has reached what may be a turning point. Challenger and specialist banks now account for 60 per cent of all lending to UK small businesses - a figure that would have seemed implausible a decade ago, when the traditional high street lenders still controlled the market.

Challenger banks now hold 60 per cent of small business lending – and the high street wants it back

Challenger banks now account for 60% of all UK small business lending — but for the first time in a decade, their market share has stopped growing. Here is what it means for SMEs.

It is one of the most perverse incentives in the British tax system, and HMRC's own data now confirms what accountants and small business owners have been saying for years: thousands of firms are deliberately holding back growth to avoid crossing the £90,000 VAT registration threshold.

The £90,000 ceiling that is quietly stopping small businesses from growing

HMRC data shows thousands of small businesses are capping turnover to avoid the £90,000 VAT threshold. Cafés cut hours, tradespeople work four-day weeks — and the economy pays the price.

New sustainability reporting standards are bearing down on UK businesses, and the vast majority of small firms have done next to nothing to prepare.

Most small firms are nowhere near ready for net zero reporting – and the deadline is closing in

Only 13% of SMEs have formal net zero plans in place as 2026 sustainability reporting rules approach. With £52,000 a year in potential gains, inaction is costing small firms twice over.

The Bank of England is expected to reduce interest rates significantly faster than financial markets currently anticipate, according to new forecasts from Goldman Sachs.

The rate cuts small businesses were counting on may not arrive this year

Middle East conflict has sent inflation expectations surging and put Bank of England rate cuts in doubt. Small businesses relying on cheaper borrowing need to rethink their plans.

The government has published the names of 389 employers caught underpaying their staff below the national minimum wage - and the list should serve as a sharp warning to every small business owner who assumes the rules are straightforward.

Nearly 400 employers named and shamed for underpaying staff – and small firms are not immune

HMRC has named 389 employers who underpaid 60,000 workers a total of £7.3m. With the Fair Work Agency launching in April, small businesses must ensure they are compliant.

The UK’s struggling high street has shed nearly 170,000 retail jobs this year—the biggest annual toll since pandemic lockdowns in 2020—as shops grapple with higher taxes, surging costs and weakening consumer spending.

5,500 small firms tell the chancellor that business rates could finish them off

More than 5,500 small businesses have written to Rachel Reeves warning that the 2026 business rates revaluation could force permanent closures across UK high streets.

This Is How I Run My Business…

Fawn and India Rose James, the granddaughters of late property and publishing magnate Paul Raymond, have received £23 million in dividends from the family’s billion-pound Soho property empire following another record year of rental income.

Paul Raymond’s granddaughters receive £23m as Soho Estates profits surge

Fawn and India Rose James, the granddaughters of late property and publishing magnate Paul Raymond, have received £23 million in dividends from the family’s billion-pound Soho property empire following another record year of rental income.

Steven Bartlett, the entrepreneur and Diary of a CEO host, has revealed his business empire has been valued at $425 million (£320 million) following a major eight-figure investment — a deal that cements his position as one of the richest entrepreneurs ever to appear on Dragons’ Den.

Steven Bartlett’s fortune soars as new $425m valuation cements his status among richest Dragons

Entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett’s holding company, Steven.com, has been valued at $425m (£320m) after securing major new backing — making him one of the wealthiest Dragons’ Den investors ever.

Marketing & Social Media

It may have built its reputation on viral dances and resurrecting forgotten pop hits, but TikTok is rapidly establishing itself as a serious force in UK retail.

‘A gamechanger’: 200,000 UK small businesses sign up to TikTok Shop

Apple’s iPhone, Amazon and Virgin Atlantic have been named YouGov’s UK Advertisers of the Month for September, after each brand saw a sharp increase in consumer awareness of their advertising.

iPhone, Amazon and Virgin Atlantic named UK advertisers of the month for September

Viral jacket potato brand SpudBros has come under fire after being accused of “bullying” a small business owner over a name dispute.

SpudBros blasted for ‘bullying’ small UK business in name dispute

Legal

The owner of John Lewis and Waitrose are launching a £1m fund that will channel cash into projects with the potential to end the high street’s “throwaway” culture.

Employee ownership was booming – then the taxman changed the rules

EOT sales have dropped from 550 to around 350 after the government tightened tax rules on employee ownership trusts. What small business owners considering an exit need to know.

The lack of paid paternity leave for self-employed fathers is leaving families facing what campaigners describe as an “impossible choice” between bonding with a newborn child and maintaining an income, as the government begins a long-awaited review of parental leave and pay.

The Employment Rights Act lands today – here is what small employers must do now

Key provisions of the Employment Rights Act take effect from 6 April 2026, including day-one paternity and parental leave and tougher redundancy rules. Here is what small businesses need to know.

OpenAI has launched a powerful new AI assistant feature for ChatGPT that allows users to delegate everyday tasks like browsing the web, making restaurant reservations, and shopping online—marking a major leap in AI’s ability to act, not just analyse.

Your business is probably already using AI – and that is exactly where the legal risk starts

Legal experts warn UK small businesses face growing risks from AI in 2026, from copyright disputes and data privacy breaches to hallucination liability. Here is what to do now.

Judgment in Getty Images v Stability AI seen as a setback for copyright owners as calls grow for new UK rules on AI training data

AI firm Stability AI wins High Court case against Getty Images over copyright claims

Stability AI defeats Getty Images in a landmark UK copyright case. Judge rules AI model Stable Diffusion is not an “infringing copy,” fuelling calls for new UK regulation.

Officials and liquidators are pursuing businesses behind 21 movies that sought nearly £16 million in incentives from a joint HMRC and British Film Institute scheme.

HMRC and BFI investigate film producer Alan Latham over £16m taxpayer-funded movie projects

HMRC and the British Film Institute are investigating film producer Alan Latham after 21 of his movies sought £16m in UK tax relief. Liquidators are probing £20m in missing film investments.

Viral jacket potato brand SpudBros has come under fire after being accused of “bullying” a small business owner over a name dispute.

SpudBros blasted for ‘bullying’ small UK business in name dispute

Viral TikTok potato sellers face backlash after Portsmouth trader says he was threatened with legal action over similar name

Capita has been fined £14 million by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for serious data protection failures following a major cyber-attack in March 2023 that compromised the personal details of 6.6 million people across the UK.

Capita fined £14 Million over 2023 cyber-attack that exposed data of 6.6 Million people

The Information Commissioner’s Office has fined outsourcing giant Capita £14 million for cybersecurity failings linked to a 2023 hack that exposed the personal data of 6.6 million people — one of the UK’s most serious corporate data breaches in years.

HSBC has suffered a fresh blow to its green credentials after the UK advertising watchdog banned a series of misleading adverts and said any future campaigns must disclose the bank’s contribution to the climate crisis.

HSBC warns UK business banking customers of third-party data breach

HSBC has alerted UK business banking customers to a data breach at a third-party platform exposing passport details and identity documents. Customers are urged to stay vigilant against fraud.

Cyber criminals have stolen the personal details of potentially millions of Gucci, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen customers in a ransomware attack on their parent company, Kering.

Millions of Gucci, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen customer records ransomed in cyberattack

Hackers have stolen data from millions of Gucci, Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen customers in a Kering cyberattack. The stolen details include names, emails and purchase history, though no card data was taken.

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Made in Britain

As the Labour Party Conference kicks off this weekend, Made in Britain, a trade association that unites domestic manufacturers through the official Made in Britain Trademark, has issued a cross-party call for MPs to actively support local manufacturers.

Made in Britain applications surge following Trump tariffs as businesses embrace UK-made goods

The UK’s leading manufacturing trade organisation, Made in Britain, has reported a 20% surge in membership applications in the wake of President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on imported goods, as interest in “buying British” grows among businesses and consumers alike.

Made in Britain, the not-for-profit organisation behind the official trademark for UK manufacturing, has forged a new partnership with Lincoln-based digital marketing agency Carrington.

Made in Britain teams up with Carrington to drive UK manufacturing growth

Made in Britain, the official trademark for UK manufacturers, has appointed digital marketing agency Carrington to boost visibility for 2,100+ members, championing British-made products and sustainable growth.

A centuries-old craft at the heart of British manufacturing is under mounting pressure to navigate complex global trading obstacles, as fresh data reveals that 80% of UK-produced saddles are shipped overseas—particularly to the USA, Europe and Australia.

Incredible British craftsmanship in demand as 80% of UK-made saddles sold worldwide despite export hurdles

A centuries-old craft at the heart of British manufacturing is under mounting pressure to navigate complex global trading obstacles, as fresh data reveals that 80% of UK-produced saddles are shipped overseas—particularly to the USA, Europe and Australia.

Roach Bridge Tissues, a specialised printer and converter of wrapping tissue paper, serves the retail POS and e-commerce markets with a diverse clientele that includes designer apparel, footwear, cut glass, pottery, wine bottle wrapping, interleaving for sheet metals, optical lenses, and home removals packaging.

Secrets of Success: Insights from Camilla Hadcock, Director of Roach Bridge Tissues

Roach Bridge Tissues, a specialised printer and converter of wrapping tissue paper, serves the retail POS and e-commerce markets with a diverse clientele that includes designer apparel, footwear, cut glass, pottery, wine bottle wrapping, interleaving for sheet metals, optical lenses, and home removals packaging.

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Newswire

Meme coins started as internet jokes but have turned into a real force in crypto. While some still see them as nothing more than social media-fueled gambles, others recognize a shift toward real-world applications.

Find Mining: Turning your phone into a mining machine could bring you $13,500 in passive income every day

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  • “XRP Futures Hit $1B — WinnerMining Cloud Mining Shows You How to Earn $1,850 a Day”

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Opinion

A group of some of Britain’s best-known cultural figures has launched a new multi-million-pound investment platform aimed at backing early-stage businesses, positioning itself as a modern, creator-led alternative to traditional angel investing.

Celebrities launch TikTok-era investment collective to back next generation of founders

Net zero isn’t just for big business – why sole traders must hold their nerve in 2026

“Wow” – what a year for British small businesses

Technology

OpenAI has launched a powerful new AI assistant feature for ChatGPT that allows users to delegate everyday tasks like browsing the web, making restaurant reservations, and shopping online—marking a major leap in AI’s ability to act, not just analyse.

Your business is probably already using AI – and that is exactly where the legal risk starts

Judgment in Getty Images v Stability AI seen as a setback for copyright owners as calls grow for new UK rules on AI training data

AI firm Stability AI wins High Court case against Getty Images over copyright claims

OpenAI has signed a landmark $38 billion agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to secure the immense computing power required to train and deploy its next generation of artificial intelligence systems — marking one of the biggest technology infrastructure deals ever struck.

OpenAI strikes $38 billion deal with Amazon to supercharge AI computing power

Business

Providing excellent customer service is often essential for a business to succeed. Even with a strong product and competitive pricing, a business can struggle if its customer service doesn’t meet expectations.

Why customer service is integral to business success

Providing excellent customer service is often essential for a business to succeed. Even with a strong product and competitive pricing, a business can struggle if its customer service doesn’t meet expectations.

The Capital Business Media Group

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