FSB: banks must ‘step up’ support for new Bounce Back Loan applications October 30, 2020 The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called for the government to introduce further support measures and for banks to “step up” to ensure small businesses can access the financing they need. The organisation said it was “particularly concerned” by the number of small businesses that were struggling to access government-backed Bounce Back Loans (BBLs) [...]
Coronavirus: Daily cases in England rise to 27,900 October 16, 2020 Daily coronavirus cases in England have rocketed to 27,900, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), marking a 10,000 increase since last week’s average. The estimated number of coronavirus cases for the week to 2 October was 17,200, while the average for the week before was 12,600. The ONS said this [...]
UK slammed for ‘light-touch’ approach to gender pay gap October 14, 2020 The UK has a “light-touch” approach to gender pay gap reporting compared to other countries, according to a new report. New research by the Fawcett Society and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College London (KCL) found that Britain is vastly behind other nations, which have “much more robust systems” for reporting gender [...]
Rishi Sunak extends furlough scheme for businesses facing lockdown October 9, 2020 Chancellor Rishi Sunak has extended the furlough scheme for six months for businesses across the UK required to close under local lockdowns, as further restrictions loom ahead for parts of England. Sunak today said the government will pay two thirds of employees’ salaries to businesses forced to shutter under fresh lockdown measures. Firms whose premises [...]
Farms and our diets must embrace technological disruption August 14, 2020 Challengers, visionaries and entrepreneurs are turning their focus to the next great technology goal, and it’s one that could save the planet and transform the lives of millions: it’s the advancements in how we source our nutrition. At a time when there is fierce debate around how we build back better, one of the most [...]
Exclusive: Westminster denies firms business rates relief for empty offices during lockdown June 17, 2020 Central London companies whose staff abandoned offices to work remotely during the coronavirus lockdown have been refused business rates relief, City A.M. can reveal. Westminster City Council has refused to grant the relief to office-based businesses such as accountants, law firms, and consultancies despite their workspaces remaining empty over the period. The move has sparked [...]
Seven drivers of growth: Unlocking potential and growing your business in turbulent times June 11, 2020 | City Talk In a world disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown and a looming recession it may be hard to focus on growth. But analysing the exciting possibilities of a business for long-term success is a necessary, if difficult, challenge on the road back to the new normal and will require leaders to think differently about their [...]
Two metre social distancing rule ‘would leave many small businesses unable to make profit’ June 10, 2020 Many of the country’s small companies will not be viable unless two metre social distancing rules are relaxed, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has claimed. Ahead of non-essential shops reopening next week, FSB chairman Mike Cherry this afternoon added to pressure on the government to cut the nationwide two metre rule, which has already [...]
Five questions mid-market businesses need to ask about risk management today June 9, 2020 | City Talk In this article, I consider the five key questions a mid-market business should ask themselves when it comes to risk management in the current environment. Are you clear about the key risks facing your business? If recent months have taught business leaders anything, it should be that to survive – let alone thrive – in [...]
If the chancellor stands up for small firms, he’ll be standing up for society as a whole March 6, 2020 Ever wondered how much small businesses hand over to the Treasury each year? Try £145bn in corporation tax and VAT alone. Factor in business rates, national insurance contributions, fuel duty, clean air charges and the insurance premium tax, and this big figure becomes, well, astronomical. We small business owners are resilient. We have continued to [...]