Business Matters - The UKs largest Business Magazine
30 Must Read Articles
  • News
  • Money & Tax
  • Legal
  • In Business
  • Tools & Tech
  • Scaling Up
  • Opinion
  • Tools & Tech
  • Marketing
  • Profiles
  • Guides

Latest News:

  • New EU customs duties set to hit UK small businesses, warns BCC
  • 5,500 small businesses demand urgent review of business rates in open letter to Reeves
  • Small business owners warn of a ‘perfect storm’ of pressures heading into 2026
  • Nearly 900,000 self-employed Brits fear they won’t afford their January tax bill
  • IoD: confidence lifts slightly, but small businesses are still hitting pause on hiring and investment
  • Hospitality shift hours fall 30% as small operators cut back to survive rising costs
  • £10m clawed back for small firms as commissioner steps up late payment action
  • ‘A gamechanger’: 200,000 UK small businesses sign up to TikTok Shop
  • UK entrepreneurship remains opportunity-led, but founders feel undervalued and under-supported
  • Four in ten small business owners feel burnt out as Christmas pressure mounts, survey finds
2026 is here and small business owners felt the squeeze during 2025, with increases to the rate of National Insurance Contribution for employers and increases to the minimum wage resulting in higher per-employee costs.

Seven overlooked money-saving tips for small businesses in 2026

2026 is here and small business owners felt the squeeze during 2025, with increases to the rate of National Insurance Contribution for employers and increases to the minimum wage resulting in higher per-employee costs.

A growing number of UK small business owners are struggling with exhaustion, isolation and loneliness, as rising costs and tax pressures push many to the brink and leave “break-even as the new benchmark”.

The lonely owner problem: why more UK business founders feel isolated than ever

More UK small business owners are feeling isolated and exhausted as rising costs, taxes and solo working push founders to breaking point.

UK small businesses face fresh cost pressures after the European Union confirmed it will introduce a new customs charge on low-value parcels entering the bloc from July 2026.

New EU customs duties set to hit UK small businesses, warns BCC

The British Chambers of Commerce warns new EU customs charges on low-value parcels from July 2026 will hit UK small businesses and squeeze margins.

Small firms across England are set for a major boost as the government unveils new procurement powers allowing councils to reserve lower-value public contracts for local suppliers — a change expected to redirect more than £1 billion a year into local economies.

5,500 small businesses demand urgent review of business rates in open letter to Reeves

More than 5,500 UK small businesses have written to Rachel Reeves warning that April 2026 business rates changes could force widespread closures without urgent review.

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.

Small business owners warn of a ‘perfect storm’ of pressures heading into 2026

UK small business owners warn that 2026 could bring a perfect storm of rising costs, new employment rules and AI disruption, pushing firms to automate or outsource.

Almost one in five self-employed people in the UK expect to struggle to pay their Self Assessment tax bill this month, underlining the mounting financial pressure facing sole traders and freelancers at the start of 2026.

Nearly 900,000 self-employed Brits fear they won’t afford their January tax bill

Almost one in five self-employed people in the UK expect to struggle to pay their Self Assessment tax bill this month, underlining the mounting financial pressure facing sole traders and freelancers at the start of 2026.

More than half of the UK’s self-employed workforce has thought about walking away from their accountant, as frustration over fees, poor communication and a lack of clarity reaches breaking point.

58% of self-employed Brits have considered dumping their accountant

More than half of UK sole traders have thought about leaving their accountant, with high fees and poor communication driving the breakups.

Confidence among UK business owners edged up in December, but for sole traders and microbusinesses, the reality on the ground remains one of caution, stalled hiring and postponed spending.

IoD: confidence lifts slightly, but small businesses are still hitting pause on hiring and investment

Confidence rose slightly in December, but sole traders and microbusinesses are still freezing hiring and delaying investment, IoD data shows.

Britain’s smallest hospitality businesses are quietly cutting back staff hours as soaring costs and fragile consumer confidence squeeze already thin margins.

Hospitality shift hours fall 30% as small operators cut back to survive rising costs

Hospitality shift hours are down 30% since 2022 as small pubs, cafés and owner-operators cut staff to survive rising costs.

  1. Seven overlooked money-saving tips for small businesses in 2026
  2. The lonely owner problem: why more UK business founders feel isolated than ever
  3. New EU customs duties set to hit UK small businesses, warns BCC
  4. 5,500 small businesses demand urgent review of business rates in open letter to Reeves
  5. Small business owners warn of a ‘perfect storm’ of pressures heading into 2026
  6. Nearly 900,000 self-employed Brits fear they won’t afford their January tax bill
  7. 58% of self-employed Brits have considered dumping their accountant
  8. IoD: confidence lifts slightly, but small businesses are still hitting pause on hiring and investment
  9. Hospitality shift hours fall 30% as small operators cut back to survive rising costs

Latest News…

UK small businesses face fresh cost pressures after the European Union confirmed it will introduce a new customs charge on low-value parcels entering the bloc from July 2026.

New EU customs duties set to hit UK small businesses, warns BCC

The British Chambers of Commerce warns new EU customs charges on low-value parcels from July 2026 will hit UK small businesses and squeeze margins.

Small firms across England are set for a major boost as the government unveils new procurement powers allowing councils to reserve lower-value public contracts for local suppliers — a change expected to redirect more than £1 billion a year into local economies.

5,500 small businesses demand urgent review of business rates in open letter to Reeves

More than 5,500 UK small businesses have written to Rachel Reeves warning that April 2026 business rates changes could force widespread closures without urgent review.

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.

Small business owners warn of a ‘perfect storm’ of pressures heading into 2026

UK small business owners warn that 2026 could bring a perfect storm of rising costs, new employment rules and AI disruption, pushing firms to automate or outsource.

Almost one in five self-employed people in the UK expect to struggle to pay their Self Assessment tax bill this month, underlining the mounting financial pressure facing sole traders and freelancers at the start of 2026.

Nearly 900,000 self-employed Brits fear they won’t afford their January tax bill

Almost one in five self-employed people in the UK expect to struggle to pay their Self Assessment tax bill this month, underlining the mounting financial pressure facing sole traders and freelancers at the start of 2026.

Confidence among UK business owners edged up in December, but for sole traders and microbusinesses, the reality on the ground remains one of caution, stalled hiring and postponed spending.

IoD: confidence lifts slightly, but small businesses are still hitting pause on hiring and investment

Confidence rose slightly in December, but sole traders and microbusinesses are still freezing hiring and delaying investment, IoD data shows.

Britain’s smallest hospitality businesses are quietly cutting back staff hours as soaring costs and fragile consumer confidence squeeze already thin margins.

Hospitality shift hours fall 30% as small operators cut back to survive rising costs

Hospitality shift hours are down 30% since 2022 as small pubs, cafés and owner-operators cut staff to survive rising costs.

Small businesses across the UK have recovered more than £10 million in overdue invoices with help from the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, as pressure mounts on larger companies to improve payment practices.

£10m clawed back for small firms as commissioner steps up late payment action

The Office of the Small Business Commissioner has helped recover £10m in overdue invoices since 2017, including more than £500,000 in December alone, as late payments continue to hit UK SMEs.

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

More than 200,000 UK small businesses are now selling via TikTok Shop, with major brands including M&S and Sainsbury’s also using the platform as in-app shopping reshapes retail.

Scroll. Click. Buy. Repeat. In 2025, this is the rhythm of online shopping - powered by social media. It’s no longer just a place for selfies and memes. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become the ultimate shopping hubs.

UK entrepreneurship remains opportunity-led, but founders feel undervalued and under-supported

Entrepreneurship in the UK is still driven by opportunity rather than necessity, but founders feel undervalued and face unequal access to finance and support, according to the 2025 UK StartUp Report.

Previous Next

Business

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.

No paid paternity leave for self-employed fathers leaves families facing an ‘impossible choice’

Self-employed fathers in the UK say the lack of paid paternity leave forces them to choose between family and income, as MPs review parental leave policy.

Rachel Reeves is considering a pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles (EVs) as part of her forthcoming Budget, in a move that could raise hundreds of millions of pounds a year and help offset the sharp decline in fuel duty revenues caused by Britain’s shift to greener transport.

Rachel Reeves considers pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles to plug £30bn fiscal gap

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is weighing plans to introduce a pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles in her November Budget, with drivers facing a 3p-per-mile charge to offset falling fuel duty revenue.

The government is still reviewing plans to tighten reporting requirements for small and micro companies, with ministers yet to decide whether to press ahead with rules that would require them to publish profit-and-loss accounts for the first time.

Government still weighing changes to small company filing rules, says business minister

Small business minister Blair McDougall says the government is still reviewing reforms that would force small firms to publish detailed profit-and-loss accounts, amid concerns over red tape and privacy.

Reeves forced to correct parliamentary record after misquoting key figures

Labour risks breaking tax pledge as Rachel Reeves targets higher earners in autumn Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to raise taxes on higher earners in her 26 November Budget, potentially breaking Labour’s manifesto promise to protect “working people” amid pressure to fund public services.

Germany is emerging as Europe’s most compelling growth story heading into 2026, with analysts forecasting a return to steady expansion and international firms eyeing new opportunities across the continent’s largest economy.

All eyes on Germany as €1 trillion investment wave fuels growth and new opportunities for global employers

Germany’s economy is set to expand by 1.3% in 2026, driven by over €1 trillion in public and private investment. Agility EOR says international employers should act now to seize new opportunities in Europe’s strongest market.

More than a third of the UK’s fastest-growing technology scale-ups have no women on their boards, according to new research that highlights a striking gap between rhetoric and reality on diversity in Britain’s tech sector.

UK tech scale-ups lag on gender diversity as over a third have no women on their boards

New research reveals women hold just 18% of board roles at the UK’s fastest-growing tech scale-ups, with over a third lacking any female representation—despite most leaders recognising the value of diversity.

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.

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

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.

Metro Bank has announced plans to slash 1,000 jobs and discontinue its iconic seven-day branch model, as part of an extensive cost-saving initiative, following a significant expansion of its cost-cutting strategy post-autumn rescue deal.

Helix Law uses AI to take on Metro Bank in $20m copyright case

Brighton-based Helix Law is representing US software firm Arkeyo in a $20m High Court battle against Metro Bank, using AI tools to slash disclosure costs and prove how smaller firms can take on legal giants.

royal wedding marriage Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Jaguar Land Rover threatens legal action over National Rail’s use of ‘rover’ and ‘ranger’ ticket names

Jaguar Land Rover has issued a cease-and-desist to National Rail over its use of ‘rover’ and ‘ranger’ tickets, claiming infringement on its Range Rover trademark, despite the ticket names predating the car brand.

Richard Caring is nearing a £1bn deal to sell The Ivy Collection, including the original Covent Garden location. Learn more about the historic sale and its implications for one of London's most iconic dining brands.

The Ivy faces legal challenge from waiter over share of tips and service charges

A former waiter is taking The Ivy to an employment tribunal, claiming he was unfairly allocated tips and service charges despite new laws on fair and transparent distribution.

Previous Next

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.

Previous Next

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

Not Ltd
  • How crypto payment solutions help e-commerce brands cut fees by 70%
  • Converting BTC into Daily Income: RICH MINER Launches New Bitcoin Cloud Mining Strategy
  • XRP price prediction hits new highs, GMO Miner helps you earn $6,800 a day
  • “XRP Futures Hit $1B — WinnerMining Cloud Mining Shows You How to Earn $1,850 a Day”

Receive the latest news daily direct to your inbox

* indicates required

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

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

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, is in discussions to raise close to $40 billion in fresh funding—almost doubling its valuation to as high as $340 billion, according to reports.

Half of UK adults now use AI for financial advice, study finds

Business

Buying Instagram likes in 2025 isn’t just about boosting a number — it’s about choosing services that prioritise retention, authenticity, and predictable delivery patterns.

Where to Buy Instagram Likes That Actually Last

Buying Instagram likes in 2025 isn’t just about boosting a number — it’s about choosing services that prioritise retention, authenticity, and predictable delivery patterns.

The Capital Business Media Group

Home

  • > About us
  • > Business Matters Podcast
  • > Contact us
  • > Advertise with us
  • > Subscribe to our magazine
  • > Subscribe to our newsletters

More from the CBM Group

  • > Travelling For Business
  • > EV Powered
  • > Electric Home
  • > Property Portfolio Investor
Copyright © 2025 The Business Matters Brand Ltd - A Capital Business Media Company • Registered Office: 7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR
  • Terms
  • Our Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
top