The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Ministers have announced an overhaul of UK design protection, giving the IPO powers to check designs are new and opening a small claims route for disputes
Make UK has written to Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds urging a review of BICS eligibility now, warning some manufacturers could miss out until 2030.
Thousands of Virgin Media O2 jobs are to go as the group targets a 30 per cent cut in staff costs and halts the fibre upgrade…
Business minister Kate Dearden will meet Poundland's leadership this week as the Poundland administration threat puts 12,000 jobs and 600 shops at risk.
Sussex firm Universal Quantum has launched a new chip and called for more state funding and government contracts for UK quantum computing companies.
Adult gaming centres excluded from business rates relief in the Budget could still qualify through bingo licences, a Guardian analysis of venues has found.
Two finance trade bodies have warned that loan stacking threatens the financial resilience of UK businesses, as the FLA calls for industry action.
Andy Burnham says side hustle earners can make up to £3,000 tax free from 6 April 2027 after the Budget tripled the trading allowance from £1,000.
Lloyds profits nearly doubled to £2.3bn in the third quarter as its finance chief called the bank tax rise unhelpful and urged that it stay temporary.
A £2.5bn Rolls-Royce jet engine programme has won government backing in the Budget, with the taxpayer understood to be covering half of the cost.
The Poundland administration filing gives the high street discounter 10 working days of protection from creditors, with around 12,000 jobs at risk.
Analysis of the higher small business rate relief threshold finds Birmingham has most premises set to stop paying rates, outer London the largest share.
Virgin Atlantic is weighing legal action and a possible regulatory review after its joint venture partner Delta was told to move to Heathrow Terminal 4.
In his Jeremy Hunt Budget response, the former Chancellor told MPs the government had put off difficult decisions on welfare, energy and defence spending.
![Chancellor John Healey today increased both the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage by 3.9 per cent, a rise covering 2.3 million of the lowest paid workers. The Budget also makes self-employed fathers and partners eligible for paid parental leave for the first time, raises the higher mileage rate from 25p to 35p per mile and funds a £100m local apprenticeship service. 365 Finance, Menzies and CV-Library warn the rise could weigh on hiring. Read the full report: [ARTICLE URL] How will the wage rise affect your recruitment plans? #Budget2026 #MinimumWage #Employers](https://bmmagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Healey_Budget_Money-420x236.jpg)
Healey confirms a minimum wage rise of 3.9 per cent for 2.3m workers, plus paid parental leave for self-employed fathers and a higher mileage rate.