Has business confidence taken a “decisive turn for the worse”?
According to two major reports from the IoD and CBI, business leaders' confidence in the UK economy has crashed to a post-COVID low.
UK SMEs that hire accountants report higher revenue and lower stress levels
An interesting new study shows that small firms that use accountants boost their revenues by 11.5% on average. They also report lower stress levels!
Big gap between HMRC interest rate on late payments vs. refunds
In what one tax advisory calls the 'elephant in the room', there is a sizeable gap between the interest rate HMRC pays on late payments and the amount of interest it pays out on tax refunds.
Autumn Budget 2024 – How does it impact small business owners?
The autumn budget was one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Employers National Insurance is set to rise from April 2025, with inreases to CGT (including BADR) and other taxes. Read the key points here.
Virgin StartUp welcomes new mentors ahead of National Mentoring Day
One of the UK's most prominent business mentor networks, Virgin StartUp, has welcomed a new batch of high-profile mentors to its community ahead of National Mentoring Day.
How to set up in business as an IT contractor
Few who decide to become IT contractors live to regret it thanks to the greater financial and personal freedom they enjoy. Is it the life for you?
Top driver for becoming self employed is the desire to “be my own boss.”
The biggest motivator for people to go it alone is the desire to be their own boss. We look at why now - in 2024 - is a great time to start a new business.
79% of women self-fund their start-up businesses
A new report by Small Business Britain highlights some major obstacles female entrepreneurs face, including access to funding and a lack of financial skills and confidence. The report, Female Entrepreneurship:…
Small firms responsible for most tax evasion in the UK according to NAO report
A new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) says that the UK's small businesses are responsible for the 'vast majority' of tax evasion. In fact, of the £5.5bn tax…
55% of self employed will have no private pension savings at retirement if trends continue
A new study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals a startling difference in pension saving patterns between the self employed and employees.