How the UK’s regulatory framework protects P2P investors December 7, 2017 | Sponsored The peer-to-peer (P2P) lending market was established in 2005, when Zopa became the first platform to connect individual lenders directly with borrowers. Since then, the market has evolved rapidly, as have the regulations underpinning investor protection – and this looks set to continue. In the UK, the sector has been overseen by the [...]
Small firms less upbeat as skills gap gets wider September 6, 2015 The supply of skilled workers available for London firms to hire is plunging at its fastest rate for 18 years. The skills shortage adds to the headache of small businesses, which have had a worrisome summer after the introduction of a national living wage and higher dividend taxes. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s (REC) barometer [...]
UK economy: As the UK emerges from recession, the country’s small businesses are flexing their muscles September 3, 2015 There are now 4.5 million SMEs in the UK. They’re the beating heart of the country’s economy, and they have the potential to build a truly sustainable recovery. That’s a fact that’s in evidence today. Our latest research shows a 90 per cent increase since 2010 in the number of small businesses tapping into a [...]
Private equity gets boost from small Brit firms August 31, 2015 PRIVATE equity investment into UK small and medium sized firms hit a two year high in the first half of 2015, according to figures, underscoring the insulation small British outfits enjoy from global headwinds. Turmoil in the Eurozone sparked by the Greek debt crisis and ongoing fears over a slowdown in China have hit larger [...]
The economic risks looming for small firms – Investec Comment August 31, 2015 Last week’s sharp sell-off in equity markets, apparently sparked by fears over the health of the Chinese economy, dramatically highlighted the risks to the global economic outlook. But the UK is still likely to enjoy moderate growth for at least the next two years. The CBI last week upgraded its UK forecasts for 2015 and [...]
Jeremy Corbyn for business? Here’s what the Labour leader hopeful’s pledging – corporation tax clampdown, support for small business and entrepreneurs August 16, 2015 Labour leader hopeful Jeremy Corbyn has unveiled plans to freeze rates for small businesses, clamp down on corporate tax avoidance and invest in skilled workers amid a raft of policies designed to show his commitment to business as the leadership race hots up. “The current government seems to think being 'pro-business' means giving a green light [...]
Your work-life balance is getting seriously out of hand: A million small business owners can’t afford to take a single day off work this summer August 12, 2015 Heard the one about work-life balance? You know, how you get to spend time with your friends and family and enjoy the summer while it lasts? Probably not if you're a small business owner or sole trader. A major new study of more than one million people found that a fifth of Britain's entrepreneurs [...]
Small businesses growing amid underwhelming export figures August 2, 2015 Small-and medium-sized manufacturers saw growth in the three months to July, despite a dramatic fall in export prices, according to a new survey out today. According to the latest Confederation of British Industry (CBI) SME trends survey, companies reported steady growth in domestic orders, a rise in output in line with expectations and a slight [...]
Small business welcomes late payment tsar as Anna Soubry dubs disputes “unacceptable” July 26, 2015 Business groups have come out in support of the latest government proposals for a new small business tsar tasked with addressing payment disputes. The department of business, innovation and skills said yesterday that a new, yet to-be-named small business commissioner would tackle unfair practices by leading a “culture change in how small businesses resolve disputes [...]
Smaller hedge funds do better during periods of financial crisis July 19, 2015 Hedge funds managing smaller pools of cash outpace their larger peers during times of financial crisis, an academic study shows. The report by Cass Business School reveals that small hedge funds left big hedge funds for dust in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. They were also found to have outperformed large funds between [...]