People in London want the government to offer more support to the city’s small businesses, a new poll has found.
According to Novuna Business Finance, 96% of Londoners would like small businesses in the capital to get more help, with action taken to ease various financial pressures.
Among the priorities identified were:
- cutting corporation tax for small businesses - 27%
- reducing business rates - 25%
- capping energy costs for small businesses - 18%
- cutting national insurance - 16%
Many Londoners want wider changes
While these suggestions could make an immediate difference to small businesses, others want the government to look at the wider economic environment they’re operating in.
For example, more than one in five (22%) said they want the government to invest heavily in regenerating the high street.
Other suggestions included:
- more government investment in apprenticeships - 20%
- creating more training and development programmes - 19%
- reversing Brexit and rejoining the European Union - 17%
- reducing red tape for small businesses doing business overseas - 14%
Small businesses ‘matter to everyone’
Responding to the findings, Jo Morris of Novuna Business Finance said they show “how connected” people are to the small business sector.
“Small businesses matter to everyone,” she said.
“Londoners deal with small businesses most days.
“A strong small business sector helps local communities work well and many consumers themselves either run or work for a small business.”
Fewer small businesses predicting growth
The proportion of small businesses in London expecting to grow has declined steadily over the last year.
Figures from Novuna show that just 36% predict growth this month.
That’s down from 40% at the beginning of 2026 and 48% a year ago.
However, Ms Morris insisted that “with the right help from government on tackling rising costs and the tax burden, there is hope for the future”.
