The Bank of England and HM Treasury have announced a two-year extension to the Funding for Lending Scheme.

The Government's Business Growth Service - which includes Growth Accelerator and the Manufacturing Advisory Service - is to close in April 2016, despite the fact that it has a 94% approval rating from businesses.

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

George Osborne's Autumn Statement has been broadly welcomed by businesses - as much for what he left out as for the measures he announced.

Most consumers acknowledge that data breaches are now "a part of life", but shoppers are warning UK businesses that they will go elsewhere if cyber security is not part of the customer service promise.

The number of "home workers" has doubled since 1998 thanks to the rise in the number of freelancers and new attitudes by employers to flexible and remote working.

A creative culture, collaboration and simple tools are the main drivers for innovation in the UK's fastest growing businesses according to new research.

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

Business groups are calling on George Osborne not to introduce any more new tax changes in his Autumn Statement next Wednesday.

More than half (54%) of all UK employers say the new National Living Wage will affect their wage bill; and the retail and hospitality sectors are set to be hit hardest according to new research.