Latest News
SMEs saw profit slump
Almost a quarter of small and medium-sized enterprises experienced a 50 per cent decline in their profit before tax last financial year, research finds.
Businesses struggle with stock records
Half of UK SMEs have lost sales due to low stock levels, research finds.
FSB: Growth plan needed to boost SMEs
Politicians need to produce a credible plan for growth to support the UK's small companies, the Federation of Small Businesses will tell the Labour Party conference.
Optimism encouraging among SMEs
UK business owners are among the least confident about the national and global economies, but remain optimistic about the outlook for their own businesses over the coming six months, research finds.
Social media influentual in reputation management
Three quarters of consumers who heard about a bad customer experience via social media stopped doing business with the offending company, research finds.
Manufacturers predict production growth
UK manufacturers predict that production will continue to grow over the next three months, despite order book levels slackening during September, the Confederation of British Industry says.
Recovery signs for small businesses
Small businesses may be enjoying a recovery despite broader economic uncertainty, research finds.
SMEs lack credit awareness
Small businesses do not check their customers’ credit status, exposing them to a greater risk of being paid late or not being paid at all.
SMEs increasingly shun bank lending margins
Three quarters of small businesses think that bank lending margins on loans are too high, up from 73 per cent last year, research finds.
FSB: 'Stable environment' needed for SMEs
Business Secretary Vince Cable must promote a stable environment for small businesses to thrive, the Federation of Small Businesses will tell the Liberal Democrat Conference this week.
'Work experience' recommended for MPs
Prime Minister David Cameron is encouraging MPs to gain valuable ‘work experience' in small businesses by taking part in an initiative to give politicians an insight into the operations of smaller firms.
Business owners wearing too many hats
Business owners in the UK are spreading themselves too thinly by taking on too many different roles within their own company.
SME resistance to social media a 'major barrier'
Resistance from employers to embrace social media and new ways of working could be a major barrier hindering the future potential of UK businesses and their staff, a recruitment company warns.
FSB welcomes banking reform
The Federation of Small Businesses has welcomed the recommendations set out by the Independent Commission on Banking on reform of the banking sector.
Businesses scrimp on R&D spending
Nearly a third of British companies spend nothing on searching for new ideas, services and products, research finds.
