Author Archives: Editor

Spring statement stale before it started – Growth talk rings hollow as small firms struggle

            The Chancellor spoke of stability and growth, but with confidence falling, costs rising and global turmoil intensifying, many small businesses fear the economic reality has already overtaken the promises. You may well think this strange, but I felt sorry for the Chancellor this lunchtime. She had to deliver her Spring Statement knowing it wasContinue reading “Spring statement stale before it started – Growth talk rings hollow as small firms struggle”

All Eyes On Cyprus

              All eyes turned to Cyprus earlier this week when it came under one-way drone attack in an unexpected expansion of the Iran war. Or, more specifically, Britain’s Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) on the island came under attack. There are two of these, relics of more glorious days of Empire now gone, at AkrotiriContinue reading “All Eyes On Cyprus”

Confidence crash: bosses lose nerve as economy stalls

            Business confidence is a fickle thing. The latest index from the IoD (Institute of Directors) shows that the confidence figure in February was -63, having risen in Jan to -48 from an historic low of -72 in Dec. The latest figure came out before the rapidly developing situation in the Middle East started soContinue reading “Confidence crash: bosses lose nerve as economy stalls”

Trump’s tariff shock: why UK small businesses are about to be hit with higher costs

            The Supreme Court said no to the way Trump’s tariffs were implemented when he became President but there’s ways around that ruling and so 15% tariffs are being reinstated. What if any, impact will that have on your business? Even though the tariffs are aimed at imports into the United States and push upContinue reading “Trump’s tariff shock: why UK small businesses are about to be hit with higher costs”

1. £1bn for small firms — but are microbusinesses being left out again?

            We can’t afford to have almost 1 million young people out of work but small businesses can no longer afford to employ them. This is a structural issue, it’s not just ‘a bit worrying’. It’s economically and socially massive. The latest official government figures show that around 957,000 young people (16–24) are currently NEETContinue reading “1. £1bn for small firms — but are microbusinesses being left out again?”