About

Anna is Senior Reporter, covering topics affecting SMEs such as grant funding, managing employees and the day-to-day running of a business.

News

One in seven adults plan to become entrepreneurs

Research from NatWest found that 50 per cent more people want to become entrepreneurs compared to pre-pandemic levels

Podcasts

UPS: How to expand your business internationally and acquire loyal customers

News

Small businesses failing their HR staff – poll

HR staff have seen a growth in their workload since March 2020 – and some SMEs haven't invested in dealing with Covid-related HR challenges

News

Failings revealed in Covid Recovery Loan Scheme

Shortcomings have stifled uptake of the Covid Loan Recovery Scheme, such as a number of rejections for small business applicants

Export & Import

UK must improve export support scheme for SMEs

The FSB has laid out a five-point plan to help the government create a better export support scheme for small businesses

News

Defaults on Bounce Back Loan repayments lower than feared

Estimates show that defaults on Bounce Back Loan repayments will be substantially lower than past predictions have shown

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

News

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

News

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

News

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

Government Grants

Apprenticeship grants

I'm taking an apprentice for my joinery company. Am I entitled to any government apprenticeship grants for my business?

Employing & managing staff

Can I force my staff to come back to the office after July 19?