Business leaders have called on the UK government to provide greater clarity over when and how the coronavirus lockdown will end as ministers step up efforts to help companies restart operations.
Category: News
The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Lockdown brings £82bn of UK house sales to shuddering halt
Home sales worth £82 billion have stalled in Britain, according to an online property portal.
Small businesses can receive £50,000 ‘bounce-back loans’ under new government scheme
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced an offer of 100 per cent guarantees on “bounceback loans” of up to £50,000 for the smallest businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Greggs to start reopening stores from Monday May 4th
Greggs has become the latest high street retailer to put forward plans to reopen its stores despite the coronavirus lockdown.
Betting and Gaming Council announce full advertising ban during COVID-19
Members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) have announced they will voluntarily remove all TV and radio product advertising during the COVID-19 lockdown as addiction experts describe this as “an unprecedented step in unprecedented times”.
Landlords hit back at accusations of aggressive tactics as tenants fail to make rent payments
Landlords have hit back at accusations of aggressive rent-collection tactics, complaining that they are being squeezed by their tenants on one side and lenders on the other.
2020 NatWest everywoman Awards Open for Nominations
The 2020 NatWest everywoman awards are now open for nominations until 6 July.
Andy Burnham plans to reopen Manchester pubs against Boris Johnson’s coronavirus plan
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham claimed he is planning to reopen pubs and restaurants against Boris Johnson’s Government’s latest coronavirus advice in an attempt to speed up the economic recovery of the country.
Local councils criticised for ‘concerning’ debt collection tactics
UK councils have been criticised for their growing use of heavy-handed debt-collection agencies, as more families face bankruptcy as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
The Creative Industries Federation calls for urgent funding for arts sector during coronavirus lockdown
Johnny Marr, Paloma Faith and Grayson Perry are among several stars warning the government that the UK will become a “cultural wasteland” if action isn’t taken to support the arts.
Chancellor prepares 100% guaranteed £25,000 for small business loans
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is preparing to offer 100 per cent guarantees on loans to Britain’s smallest businesses, after sustained pressure from Conservative MPs and the Bank of England.
House of Lords committee highlights “the inherent flaws in IR35”
IPSE, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed,has today welcomed the publishing of the House of Lords Economic Affairs Finance Bill Sub-Committee’s report on IR35.
Furloughed workers encouraged to take fruit picking jobs to help UK harvest
Some of the millions of British workers furloughed during the coronavirus lockdown will be encouraged to take a second job picking fruit and vegetables, the government has said.
British Business Bank announces four more lenders under CBILS scheme
Today the British Business Bank has announced that it has approved four new lenders for accreditation under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
CBILS loans worth less than 2% of £212bn owed to coronavirus-hit businesses
The funds sent to UK businesses through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) are worth less than two per cent of the £212.8 billion in cash currently due to UK SMEs in unpaid invoices, according to new research.