
Late payments still threaten small business cash flow
Late payments remains one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses across the UK. Even companies that are profitable on paper can find themselves under financial pressure

Rising employment costs are changing business decisions
Employment costs continue to rise, and many small businesses are feeling the impact. Higher wage bills, increased employment related costs and the expense of recruiting and

Five ways AI can save you hours every week
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just for large organisations. Many small businesses are now using affordable AI tools to reduce administration, improve customer service

Could your business survive a cyber attack?
Cyber-crime is no longer a problem faced only by large organisations. Small businesses are increasingly being targeted because criminals often assume they have fewer security

When did you last check your credit rating?
Many business owners regularly monitor their bank balance, sales and cash flow, but overlook another important financial indicator, their credit rating. Whether you are applying

Five ways to improve customer retention
Winning new customers is important, but many businesses overlook the value of keeping the customers they already have. Existing customers are often more likely to buy again,

Are you too dependent on one customer?
Many successful businesses begin by working closely with one major customer. While this can provide valuable income and stability in the early years, becoming too dependent on a

The benefits of Fair Payment Code accreditation
Getting paid on time remains one of the biggest challenges facing many small and medium-sized businesses. Late payments can place pressure on cash flow, increase borrowing

Companies House steps up enforcement activity
Companies House is entering a new era of enforcement as it begins making greater use of the powers granted under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The aim is to

Could exporting help your business grow?
Many small business owners assume that exporting is something reserved for larger companies with dedicated sales teams and substantial resources. In reality, advances in

Companies House ID verification
Major changes are continuing at Companies House as part of the government’s efforts to improve corporate transparency and tackle economic crime. One of the most significant

Government Backing your Business programme
The government continues to place growing emphasis on supporting smaller businesses through its “Backing Your Business” programme, which is designed to encourage

Tougher action on late payments
The Government has introduced a landmark new Bill aimed at tackling the growing problem of late payments to small businesses, with ministers describing the measures as the biggest

New employers check list
Taking on your first employee can help a business grow, although it also brings a number of important responsibilities. Before employing staff for the first time, business owners

Covering basic business risks
Many business owners spend considerable time focusing on sales growth, staffing and profitability, although basic business risks are sometimes overlooked until a problem arises. A

Employment law changes pressure small businesses
Many small business owners are already feeling the effects of rising staffing costs, tighter recruitment conditions and increased administration. Recent employment law changes are

Why cyber security is now a business survival issue
Cyber security is no longer a concern limited to large corporations. Increasingly, smaller businesses are finding themselves targeted by phishing attacks, payment frauds and

Cash flow resilience in uncertain trading conditions
Rising costs and economic uncertainty have made cash flow management more important than ever. While many businesses focus on profit, it is cash that determines whether a business

Hedging against rising costs
Rising prices remain a concern for many UK business owners, particularly where energy, materials, labour and finance costs are unpredictable. While it is rarely possible to

Interest rate outlook for 2026
The outlook for UK interest rates during 2026 remains uncertain, although current expectations suggest relative stability, with the possibility of modest reductions later in the

Data Protection rules are still alive
Businesses that collect or use personal information must comply with UK data protection law. Personal data includes any information that can identify a living individual, such as

Business.gov.uk advice selling to international markets
There are a variety of services available to assist UK exporters that can be found at https://www.business.gov.uk/export-from-uk/ There you can find a range of government-backed

Managing stock turnover
Stock turnover management is one of the most important drivers of business profitability, cash flow strength and resilience during periods of rising costs. Stock represents cash

Income from spare capacity
Many businesses have spare capacity that could generate additional income with relatively little additional cost. Spare capacity may arise where premises, staff time, equipment or
