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Latest News:

  • New guidance set to tackle the mental health toll of late payments
  • NatWest targets 50,000 founders as more small businesses look for support beyond funding
  • Electricians and welders set to be UK’s highest-earning trades in 2026, research finds
  • Most self-employed and freelancers failing to save for retirement, Aviva finds
  • Eight days left to file self assessment as HMRC warns of automatic £100 penalty
  • January tax windfall set to boost HMRC coffers amid self-assessment rush
  • Tax returns driving regret as self-employed Brits rethink going solo
  • 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
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.

New guidance set to tackle the mental health toll of late payments

New guidance highlights the mental health impact of late payments, but freelancers say enforcement — not wellbeing advice — is what’s really needed.

NatWest has announced plans to grow its Accelerator community to 50,000 UK entrepreneurs in 2026, a five-fold increase on its original ambition for 2025, as demand for practical, non-financial support among founders continues to rise.

NatWest targets 50,000 founders as more small businesses look for support beyond funding

NatWest aims to expand its Accelerator community to 50,000 UK founders in 2026, offering mentoring, peer networks and practical support beyond funding.

Martin Daly looks like a government success story on paper. He runs a growing building firm, trains apprentices, wins national awards and contributes to the local economy. And yet, he’s leaving.

“I can’t afford to train people anymore”: why UK’s top tradesman is leaving the country

An award-winning tradesman explains why rising taxes, weak apprenticeship support and lumpy income are pushing UK sole traders to leave.

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.

Act now: 864,000 sole traders and landlords are about to get dragged into digital tax

If you’re a sole trader or landlord earning more than £50,000 a year, HMRC is about to change how you report your tax — whether you feel ready or not.

UK fintech Sidekick has raised £7.8m in Series A funding as it looks to widen access to investment products that have traditionally been locked inside private banks.

UK fintech Sidekick raises £7.8m to open up private-bank style investing to professionals

Sidekick has raised £7.8m to expand access to private-bank style investing tools for professionals who’ve outgrown entry-level apps but don’t want opaque wealth management.

Tools like this won’t fix the structural imbalance between big buyers and small suppliers, but they do acknowledge something policymakers and lenders often ignore: income isn’t smooth when you work for yourself. Flexibility isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. And anything that gives you room to breathe without dragging personal savings or long-term debt into the picture is at least moving in the right direction.

American Express rolls out flexible payment option for small businesses feeling the cashflow squeeze

American Express has launched a Flexible Payment Option for Business Platinum and Gold Cardmembers, giving small businesses more control over cashflow when income is uneven.

Electricians and welders are expected to remain the UK’s highest-earning trade roles in 2026, as demand for skilled workers continues to rise across construction, manufacturing, infrastructure and clean energy.

Electricians and welders set to be UK’s highest-earning trades in 2026, research finds

New research shows electricians and welders will lead UK trade salaries in 2026, with average earnings rivaling national pay levels.

Most self-employed workers and freelancers in the UK are failing to put money aside for retirement, raising concerns about long-term financial security for a growing part of the workforce, according to new research.

Most self-employed and freelancers failing to save for retirement, Aviva finds

Fewer than four in ten self-employed workers and freelancers are saving for retirement, according to Aviva, with low awareness of pension options leaving many exposed later in life.

As UK small businesses head into 2026, many are feeling the squeeze from rising digital subscriptions, higher utilities and stubborn operating costs. Yet thousands of pounds in potential savings are still being missed, not through lack of ambition, but through habit.

10 under-the-radar ways UK small businesses can regain control of cash flow in 2026

From VAT tweaks to ditching legacy banking fees, here are 10 overlooked ways UK SMEs can reclaim cash flow in 2026 without chasing risky growth or complex tax reliefs.

  1. New guidance set to tackle the mental health toll of late payments
  2. NatWest targets 50,000 founders as more small businesses look for support beyond funding
  3. “I can’t afford to train people anymore”: why UK’s top tradesman is leaving the country
  4. Act now: 864,000 sole traders and landlords are about to get dragged into digital tax
  5. UK fintech Sidekick raises £7.8m to open up private-bank style investing to professionals
  6. American Express rolls out flexible payment option for small businesses feeling the cashflow squeeze
  7. Electricians and welders set to be UK’s highest-earning trades in 2026, research finds
  8. Most self-employed and freelancers failing to save for retirement, Aviva finds
  9. 10 under-the-radar ways UK small businesses can regain control of cash flow in 2026

Latest News…

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.

New guidance set to tackle the mental health toll of late payments

New guidance highlights the mental health impact of late payments, but freelancers say enforcement — not wellbeing advice — is what’s really needed.

NatWest has announced plans to grow its Accelerator community to 50,000 UK entrepreneurs in 2026, a five-fold increase on its original ambition for 2025, as demand for practical, non-financial support among founders continues to rise.

NatWest targets 50,000 founders as more small businesses look for support beyond funding

NatWest aims to expand its Accelerator community to 50,000 UK founders in 2026, offering mentoring, peer networks and practical support beyond funding.

Electricians and welders are expected to remain the UK’s highest-earning trade roles in 2026, as demand for skilled workers continues to rise across construction, manufacturing, infrastructure and clean energy.

Electricians and welders set to be UK’s highest-earning trades in 2026, research finds

New research shows electricians and welders will lead UK trade salaries in 2026, with average earnings rivaling national pay levels.

Most self-employed workers and freelancers in the UK are failing to put money aside for retirement, raising concerns about long-term financial security for a growing part of the workforce, according to new research.

Most self-employed and freelancers failing to save for retirement, Aviva finds

Fewer than four in ten self-employed workers and freelancers are saving for retirement, according to Aviva, with low awareness of pension options leaving many exposed later in life.

Taxpayers have just eight days left to file their self assessment tax return before the 31 January deadline, as HM Revenue & Customs warned that late submissions will trigger an automatic £100 penalty.

Eight days left to file self assessment as HMRC warns of automatic £100 penalty

HMRC is urging taxpayers to file their self assessment tax return before the 31 January deadline, warning late filers face an automatic £100 fine and further penalties.

HM Revenue & Customs is braced for a substantial surge in tax receipts this January as millions of taxpayers settle their self-assessment bills and employers begin paying out annual bonuses, according to tax advisers.

January tax windfall set to boost HMRC coffers amid self-assessment rush

HMRC is set for a January tax windfall driven by the self-assessment deadline and employee bonuses, with advisers warning rising receipts are being fuelled by tax rises and fiscal drag.

The annual self-assessment deadline is once again taking a heavy emotional and financial toll on Britain’s self-employed workforce, with new research suggesting that tax stress is now making many question whether working for themselves is worth it at all.

Tax returns driving regret as self-employed Brits rethink going solo

New research shows tax stress is pushing self-employed Brits to delay filing, pay fines and even reconsider working for themselves.

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.

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Business

Martin Daly looks like a government success story on paper. He runs a growing building firm, trains apprentices, wins national awards and contributes to the local economy. And yet, he’s leaving.

“I can’t afford to train people anymore”: why UK’s top tradesman is leaving the country

An award-winning tradesman explains why rising taxes, weak apprenticeship support and lumpy income are pushing UK sole traders to leave.

UK fintech Sidekick has raised £7.8m in Series A funding as it looks to widen access to investment products that have traditionally been locked inside private banks.

UK fintech Sidekick raises £7.8m to open up private-bank style investing to professionals

Sidekick has raised £7.8m to expand access to private-bank style investing tools for professionals who’ve outgrown entry-level apps but don’t want opaque wealth management.

Tools like this won’t fix the structural imbalance between big buyers and small suppliers, but they do acknowledge something policymakers and lenders often ignore: income isn’t smooth when you work for yourself. Flexibility isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. And anything that gives you room to breathe without dragging personal savings or long-term debt into the picture is at least moving in the right direction.

American Express rolls out flexible payment option for small businesses feeling the cashflow squeeze

American Express has launched a Flexible Payment Option for Business Platinum and Gold Cardmembers, giving small businesses more control over cashflow when income is uneven.

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.

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.

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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

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.

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