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SMEs
<p>One-off cost of living payments could be vital to workers in the coming months (Dominic Lipinski/PA)</p>
Business

Businesses failing to consider cost of living payments

ONS figures confirm SMEs have harder time freeing up one-off cash to back up employees

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Business

Can a business really run on zero employees?

The pool of freelance workers is wider than ever. Employment expert Alice Weightman on the rise of the ‘ultra-skinny business’

UK

Factory worker shortages costing the UK £7bn in lost output, MPs told

Manufacturing organisation Make UK said the sector is battling to fill 95,000 vacancies.
UK

Concern in business community at Stormont uncertainty

FSB NI said the need for economic policy interventions could not be greater.
UK

Households ‘borrowing more but unwilling to touch savings’

The annual growth rate for consumer credit borrowing picked up to 5.2% in March, marking the highest annual rate since February 2020.
Small Business

The new rules of building back better

Lockdown has transformed the way all businesses operate, but what’s the best way to navigate the post-pandemic landscape? John Arlidge asks two entrepreneurs

UK

UK-US trade deal not dead, officials say, after further talks held

With progress stalled on an agreement, the Government has switched its focus to making deals with individual US states.
London

The secret to starting up? Be passionate and think big

Even during a pandemic, new businesses can prosper — provided they have a plan. John Arlidge reports

UK

Consumer credit borrowing grows at fastest annual pace in two years

Some experts suggest defaults could rise later this year as people struggle to service personal loans and credit cards.
UK

Glasgow named best city for a small business to be based

Glasgow scored high on a short average commute as well as the growth of small businesses in recent years.
UK

Bank boss warns inflation pressures may stay until the end of 2023

The Bank of England said there are worries that energy prices may stay high for longer, while wage rises in the UK could become broad-based.
UK

Too many people live in expensive, unsuitable, poor quality homes – report

The Lords Built Environment Committee said action is needed to remove the barriers for housebuilders, particularly for SMEs.
Business

How small businesses can attract staff in the war for talent

With over 1 million job vacancies across the UK, small businesses need to be flexible and sell their company vision in order to attract new staff and grow their business

London

Sustainable practices? Now they’re good business sense

The key to impactful environmental change begins with SMEs, finds John Arlidge

UK

Chancellor urged to use Budget to help Scots facing ‘real cost of living crisis’

Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes wrote to Rishi Sunak ahead of Wednesday’s Budget statement.
UK

Three-year green savings bonds launched by NS&I

Savers aged 16 or over can take out the bonds, which pay a fixed annual rate of 0.65% over a three-year term.
Business

Now’s the time for London’s entrepreneurs to level up

From Brexit to going digital and navigating the post-pandemic world — small businesses have never had more to think about. Our SME XPO is here to help, reports John Arlidge

Business

Small businesses thrown under the bus by dividend tax hike

A narrow increase in dividend tax is a cheap political move that will disproportionately hurt small business owners

UK

‘More public contracts would be awarded to British firms under Labour’

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said huge taxpayer contracts are going overseas instead of to British companies.
UK

New services to meet people’s cash needs on way, says FCA boss

Shared branches, cashback and deposit points could become commonplace in some areas, Sheldon Mills said.
Shop London

Shop London: Evening Standard champions small, independent businesses

It’s back! Our week-long event - from April 12 - 18 - to help the indy stores of London get back on their feet