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.

How to boss payroll year-end during Covid-19

It’s hard to imagine a tougher year for business, with coronavirus and Brexit disrupting normal operations and making it hard for organisations to work cohesively

Accounting

Business Loans

Banks set to scrap plans for Bounce Back Loan debt collection agency

Lenders abandon plan for single emergency Covid-19 loan repayment agency, saying it would be too complicated

Government Grants

Half a million businesses at risk of collapse without more support

9m jobs could disappear if 600,000 stricken businesses are allowed to go under without more Covid pandemic financial help

Business Loans

Microbusiness £50,000 Bounce Back Loans – how they work

Government announces 12-month interest-free microbusiness Bounce Back Loans scheme with £50,000 limit and 100% guarantee

Accounting

SME borrowing problems as HMRC creditor status changes

HMRC’s status as a preferential creditor could lead to SME borrowing problems as they might face restricted lending. Chris Williams explains

Accounting

How to avoid paying £130,000 in VAT registration fees if you export to EU

UK small businesses face having to register for VAT in each EU country they sell direct to, which could cost tens of thousands of pounds for the privilege of paying tax in Europe

Government Grants

Local authorities blame government for slow release of Covid-19 grants

Some businesses still waiting for grants promised to offset closures in Tier 4 lockdown last year

Government Grants

Government must help self-employed excluded due to 50% income rule

Influential thinktank the Institute for Fiscal Studies weighs into self-employed debate for second time in as many days.

Government Grants

Local authorities blame government for slow release of Covid-19 grants

Some businesses still waiting for grants promised to offset closures in Tier 4 lockdown last year

Government Grants

Government must help self-employed excluded due to 50% income rule

Influential thinktank the Institute for Fiscal Studies weighs into self-employed debate for second time in as many days.

Tax

Self-employed should pay equal tax with employees, says top thinktank

Government loses £15bn a year tax revenue from self-employed, says IFS, which urges wholesale reform of tax system

Tax

You should file your tax return by January 31, despite HMRC extension

The taxman is giving self-employed people an extra month to file their tax return penalty-free. However, payment must be made by January 31

Government Grants

MPs give taxman six weeks to sort out Covid payments for freelancers

Over 500,000 freelancers wait to see if they will be included in final round of self-employment Covid-19 grant.

Partner content

Should small businesses outsource their payroll management?

Here are the main points to consider if you're looking to outsource payroll for your small business

Employing & managing staff

The importance of vocational rehabilitation services for SMEs

In Aviva’s latest SME research*, 57 per cent of employers surveyed agreed that nowadays employees expect benefits to protect against loss of income or earnings. What do you offer your people?

Partner content

What are the benefits of business broadband?

Business broadband offers a host of advantages over standard domestic connections, here’s why you should be considering an upgrade

Partner content

How should I select my business broadband provider?

As with any supplier, it’s important to do your research and ask important questions before you select a broadband provider for your business. But what are the must-have things you should take into consideration?

Business Technology

Future-proof your business communications set-up

Landlines as we know them will be scrapped in 2027 – along with a raft of upcoming business changes. Here's how to ensure your communications set-up is fit for whatever the future brings