Small businesses gear up for growth despite Budget pressures December 29, 2024 Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are gearing up for expansion in 2025 despite fears about the state of the economy. In a survey of over 2,000 SMEs conducted directly after Labour’s Autumn Budget, 81 per cent said they were confident their business would grow next year, with confidence among those employing more than 50 [...]
Shoppers urged to support small businesses as confidence wobbles December 7, 2024 The public is being urged to show support for small businesses as part of an annual event on Saturday, following signs that tax hikes have dented confidence across the sector. Organisers say Small Business Saturday could provide a “lifeline” for smaller companies in the important run-up to Christmas The campaign group said the public is [...]
Apron: London fintech taps Checkout founder and Apple iPhone co-creator for $30m funding September 25, 2024 London fintech Apron has raised $30m in Series B funding to boost hiring and launch a slew of new accounting and payment tools for small businesses.
Optimism among UK SMEs rises for third straight year September 23, 2024 Optimism among the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses has grown for a third consecutive year in a positive sign for the domestic economy, according to fresh data. Around seven in ten SMEs said they felt confident about the future of their company, rising from 67 per cent in 2023 and 65 per cent in 2022, [...]
Bad data holding back lending to UK’s small businesses, fintech chief warns September 6, 2024 High street banks are keen to lend more to small businesses but being held back by poor data sharing, the head of of a government-backed fintech hub has said, hailing the sector's potential to boost UK economic growth.
UK economy: ‘No one has any clue what’s going to happen,’ says boss of Britain’s fastest-growing business August 23, 2024 The chief executive of Britain's fastest-growing company has warned that poor access to finance for small firms risks hamstringing the UK's economic growth, as business owners already struggle with "really high uncertainity in the world".
‘Engine of the UK’s economy’: Mid-sized firms set to ramp up investment in boost to growth July 22, 2024 More than half of the UK's mid-sized firms plan to invest at least £3m in the next five years.
Bank of America backs London fintech Simply’s lending to small businesses June 28, 2024 Bank of America has thrown its weight behind London-based fintech Simply Asset Finance to support its lending to small businesses.
Labour and Conservatives promise new banking rules won’t dent small business lending June 19, 2024 Labour's comments more or less matched a Conservative commitment, contained in the manifesto, to "ensure that Basel III capital requirements do not inhibit lending to SMEs".
The Notebook: Businesses yet to schmooze Labour are set for a nasty shock June 18, 2024 Labour has come a long way, but its manifesto should raise eyebrows in the business community, writes Michael Martins.