Category

Financing

The financing channel looks at the different small business funding options available to start-up companies and established SME businesses looking to grow. Read a wealth of guides and tips to help manage your accounts and cash flow better, views on the future of business banking and where to source alternative finance.

Rishi Sunak urged to help self-employed company directors

Business groups and experts write to chancellor with workable scheme to help 800,000 company directors excluded from government Covid-19 support

Government Grants

Government Grants

When and where to apply for the new 80% self-employed grant

Newly self-employed, company directors and part-time self-employed still excluded from third self-employed grant

Small Business Banking

No high street banks are accepting fresh Bounce Back Loan applications

Even though the deadline for the Bounce Back Loan has been extended, thousands of small businesses will still struggle to secure one

Government Grants

Nearly half a million self-employed face having universal credit cut

Government set to reintroduce cap on universal credit, bringing self-employed in line with those in full-time work on minimum wage

Tax

1m self-employed face having to pay tax bill larger than what they earnt

First HMRC prepayment deadline for self-employed tax looms in January, based on what freelancers earned pre-Covid

Government Grants

Job Support Scheme changes what they mean for your business

Grants of £2,100 for businesses caught in Tier 2 restrictions, slashed employer contributions to Job Support Scheme and doubling of help for self-employed

Government Grants

Government positive about small business Brexit transition voucher

Michael Gove says Brexit transition voucher idea will be looked into and requires ‘intense discussions’

Tax

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, business rates return in April

Government stays silent on whether retail and hospitality business rates holiday will be extended, as 170,000 businesses appeal against rates

Government Grants

Government positive about small business Brexit transition voucher

Michael Gove says Brexit transition voucher idea will be looked into and requires ‘intense discussions’

Tax

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, business rates return in April

Government stays silent on whether retail and hospitality business rates holiday will be extended, as 170,000 businesses appeal against rates

Business Loans

Banks may call in debt collectors to recoup unpaid Bounce Back Loans

High street banks want to outsource collection of Bounce Back Loans gone bad to debt collection agencies

Accounting

Redtape simplified for small business seeking CVA protection

New standard form offers SMEs same protection from creditors as big companies who trigger Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs)

News

MPs to fight Sunak over move to hike national insurance for self-employed

Tory backbenchers decry plans to hike self-employed national insurance from 9 per cent to 12 per cent

Government Grants

Rishi Sunak plans grants for small businesses hit by hard lockdown

Pubs and restaurants would be forced to shut completely at highest level of mooted three-tier system

Business Loans

A guide to getting a small business loan

Everything you need to know on what small business loans are and what types of loan are available for your business.

Partner content

Small business owners: discover alternative funding solutions to help fuel your growth

Business Technology

Why you should upgrade your tech now rather than later

To run an optimal business, you must have optimal tech. We explain why you must upgrade your business technology on a regular basis

Investing in a franchise

Should I buy a franchise or go solo?

Starting a new business is an exciting venture. But – especially in well-established industry sectors – a key question is whether it would be better to buy a franchise or go solo.