The government has announced plans to overhaul planning and licensing rules to make it quicker and easier for new cafes, bars and music venues to open in place of disused shops.

A new study by global payments platform Airwallex, has uncovered the scale of the financial pressure facing the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses, as rising operational costs and late customer payments continue to undermine cashflow and stability.  

Only one in five small firms has a formal business plan in place but research suggests many SMEs are doing well in spite of the lack of detailed planning.

New research by the Federation of Small Businesses has found that the proportion of small firms expecting to contract, sell or close in the next year outnumbers the percentage that are hoping to grow.

Business groups have raised concerns about the impact of the Employment Rights Bill, as the government sets out how it will deliver its new package of employment legislation.

Public coffers are set for a boost as HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) goes after crypto owners that aren’t paying their fair share of tax.

Over a third (36%) of European employees and 40% of UK employees worry that being ‘out of sight’ means being ‘out of mind’ when it comes to promotions

The government-backed Maple Review has been launched with a remit to remove the economic barriers to entrepreneurship that many young people face.

Changes to workplace pensions could pile more pressure on small employers, risking higher prices, fewer jobs and slower growth, the Federation of Small Businesses has warned.

HMRC is urging anyone earning extra income through a side hustle to check if they need to register for self assessment – and if so, file their tax return now.