Claiming back childcare costs

I am self employed. Can I claim my childcare cost of part of it and offset it as part of my expenses?

Business management

Legal advice

How to avoid unfair dismissal claims

Simon Robinson, managing partner of RobinsonRalph, gives an overview of the basics to help you avoid paying any unnecessary compensation and explains the basis for claims of unfair dismissal.

Legal advice

GDPR three years on: make sure your small business is compliant

Many small businesses think if they just ignore the EU’s GDPR regulations, they will just go away. Lawyer Chris Cook warns SMEs they face crippling fines if they do nothing

Management

Is my small business exempt if one of my staff is pinged?

Government announces 16 business sectors where small business workers could be exempt from self-isolation, despite being pinged by the NHS Covid app

Outlook

SMEs left behind in government net zero goal

Small businesses are being neglected as government focuses on big businesses to achieve its 2050 net zero commitment

Business management

Transition to a net zero future with green finance

Funding Options explain how your small business can become more environmentally friendly and how to fund those sustainability goals

NEWS

Retailers call for half of rent backlog to be waived

The Commercial Tenants Association is calling on the government to adopt a different strategy to deal with commercial rent debt

Outlook

Over half of SMEs have already bounced back from the pandemic

The majority of UK SMEs feel positive about recovery from Covid-19, with over half meeting or exceeding pre-pandemic turnover

Outlook

Calls to extend complex Brexit Support Fund

The Brexit Support Fund closed to new applications last month despite distributing around a third of its funding pot

Outlook

SMEs left behind in government net zero goal

Small businesses are being neglected as government focuses on big businesses to achieve its 2050 net zero commitment

Management

Is my small business exempt if one of my staff is pinged?

Government announces 16 business sectors where small business workers could be exempt from self-isolation, despite being pinged by the NHS Covid app

News

Small business owners face increased national insurance contributions

Small business owners and employees would pay extra 1% on national insurance contributions to fund growing social care problem

Most-read

150 UK small business grants to apply for right now – UPDATED

In need of some funding for your small business? These grants should give you a boost, wherever you're based in the UK.

Government Grants

Legal advice

What is the legal number of hours employees can have between shifts?

What is the legal number of hours between shifts for workers? Peter Done explains more.

International Business

EORI number: What it is and how to get or check one

Here, we reveal all you need to know about EORI numbers, who should register, how to apply and where to go for more help

Business Ideas & Planning

Five successful small business ideas for 2021

James Birch of Colour Graphics shares the five most successful business ideas to launch in 2021, including businesses you can run from home

Small Business Banking

What are the best business bank accounts in the UK?

Make the right decision about your small business bank account, whether you're just starting out or you're more established.

Outlook

Future of small business is local, personal and about data

Data and working from home are going to transform small businesses, and the SME owner-director needs to be ahead of that curve