Could AI help your small business grow?
Rising costs, economic uncertainty and caution among customers is putting small business owners under huge pressure. But many believe artificial intelligence (AI) could be part of the solution. New research from Novuna Business Finance has found that nearly one in three small business owners (31%) currently use AI to support ...
Zero hours changes could cost employers £2.9bn a year
Changes to zero hours contracts could cost employers up to £2.9bn a year. That is the government's own estimate. It published the figures yesterday (12 August). The law behind the changes was passed in December 2025. The zero hours rules do not apply yet, so nothing changes for employers now. ...
Growth Guarantee Scheme: How Could It Help Your Small Business?
The Government-backed scheme could give eligible SMEs another route to finance when they are looking to invest, expand or manage working capital. But what is the Growth Guarantee Scheme, who can use it and what does it mean for your business? Finding the right finance can be one of the ...
6 free tools every small business owner should know about
From finding grants and checking your business rates to getting help with growth, these free tools could save you time, money and a few headaches Running a small business means being the person who does a bit of everything. One day you're chasing an invoice, the next you're working out ...
Government policy has added 70% to business costs since 2016
Try out the British Chambers of Commerce's new calculator to see how much policy changes are affecting your business The British Chambers of Commerce has launched a free online calculator. It shows how much extra a business is paying because of decisions made by government since 2016. The BCC is ...
How to start a business: 12 things to do before you launch
Got a business idea? Before you worry about logos, websites and social media, get these 12 things right. Starting a business can look deceptively simple. You have an idea, find some customers and start selling. In reality, there are a lot of decisions between having an idea and having a ...
Holiday Tax: What the Proposed Visitor Levy Could Mean for Your Hospitality Business
A new charge on overnight stays could be coming to parts of England. For hotels, B&Bs and campsites, the impact could go well beyond the cost of the levy itself. The government is proposing to give Mayoral Strategic Authorities in England the power to introduce an overnight visitor levy on ...
Will Your Business Run Out of Cash? How to Build a Cash Flow Forecast
A cash flow forecast can show you when money could get tight, often before it happens. Here’s how to build one and use it to make better decisions. A business can be profitable and still run out of cash. That's one of the hardest things for a new business owner ...