SME’s that were IT friendly were less affected by the recession than those that dismissed its value, a new report suggests in the largest study performed on the impact the current recession on SME’s. The study took into account the effects of the recession on 7,200 SMEs throughout the UK, and was performed for the […]
RBS to set up SME loan hotline
The RBS, or Royal Bank of Scotland, has responded to pressure from the Government to increase its SME business loans, by setting up a hotline tailored at helping small firms get approved and access to loans. Both the RBS and fellow bank Lloyds have come under fire by the Treasury lately, for offering interest rates […]
Are banks overcharging SME’s for loans?
The RBS and Lloyds Banking Group are currently under investigation by the Government after allegations surfaced that the two groups may be purposely increasing loan costs to small business enterprises. An unidentified source from the Government stated that investigators are not focused on forcing the banking institutions to make uneconomic loans, but current research shows […]
Royal Mail under threat from its customers
Argos announced today that they will move away from Royal Mail delivery, if the unions take on a national strike until working conditions are met. For the time being, the company has already arranged to use rival operators so that its company deliveries would not be affected. Many other businesses both small and large have […]
Conservative’s want new measures to assist small business employment
The Conservative party has initiated a new ‘Get Britain Working’ campaign that is meeting wide approval from business leaders across the UK, at least according to the Shadow Chancellor. The campaign is aimed at giving businesses a break on national insurance on the first ten new employees that they hire, in order to encourage businesses […]
SME’s struggle to avoid redundancies
Britain’s small businesses are facing an uphill battle to keep their staff in the wake of Britain’s unemployment costs, that reach up to £350m, and the highest number of households without all members employed in ten years. A new study by Close Invoice Finance surveyed 500 entrepreneurs, and found that 68% think they will be […]
SME’s diversify to survive
Avia’s new research shows that more than half of all medium and small business enterprises (also known as SME’s) are attempting to diversify in an effort to make it through the debilitating business environment that is a result of the recession. SME’s have embraced several different diversification techniques including opening on the weekends, increasing the […]
CBI outlines plans for any new government
The CBI will release a new manifesto for business that outlines what the group believes the governments priorities should be after the election is over, regardless of which party ends up with in power. The CBI outlines in its 12 point plan the need to take action against youth unemployment, further stabilization of the banking […]
Bailouts and Blackouts: The True Consequences for SMEs
Following the British Government’s rescue of two of the biggest financial institutions, the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland is now voicing concerns over a strangling domination of the business banking market. In particular, the FSB have made clear their uneasiness over a monopolisation in business credit for small to medium enterprises. The RBS Group […]
Half of SMEs don’t see an early end to recession
Over half of all small business owners across the UK believe that the recession will continue to last well into next year, according to a new survey by Amplify Communications. The results showed that 58% of all SME owners believe that the recession will be around at least until spring of next year, with about […]