Are interest rates affecting business activity of UK SMEs?
April 13, 2015
Back in February 2015, the Bank of England governor said low inflation is temporary and will return to its 2% target within two years. Mr Carney stressed that if there was any evidence of a sustained fall in inflation, the Bank could “if necessary” cut interest rates from their current 0.5% low to zero, but …
Is international activity of UK SMEs due to increase in 2015?
March 16, 2015
Research released by Western Union Business Solutions on 12th January 2015 revealed that a third of UK businesses expect to grow in their international activity in the year ahead. In light of these findings, in the January 2015 Business Barometer survey our panel of UK SMEs and business advisers were asked about the likelihood of …
Were you aware of new EU VAT regulations for exporting digital products and services to Europe?
February 17, 2015
On 1st January 2015, VAT thresholds were changed for UK businesses exporting digital products and services to Europe. Previously, businesses selling under £81,000 worth of products a year were exempt from paying VAT. In light of this, in the December 2014 Business Barometer survey, our panel of UK SMEs and business advisers were asked whether …
How would the departure of the UK from the European community impact upon SMEs?
December 18, 2014
In October 2014, Britain was told it must pay an extra €2.1bn (£1.7bn) into the European Union budget by the end of December because the UK economy is doing better relative to other European economies. This raised again the question mark over Britain’s future in Europe. In the November 2014 Business Barometer survey, our panel …
Has economic recovery improved business confidence for SMEs?
December 10, 2014
In September 2014 the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) reported a record-breaking high on the confidence index with a figure of +41 during the third quarter of 2014. Also, the Bank of England estimated a further growth of 3% in the UK economy in 2014. As a result, in the October 2014 Business Barometer survey …
Do changes in aggregate GDP influence business decisions made by SMEs?
September 11, 2014
Gross domestic product (GDP) figures show that the economy is now 0.2% ahead of its pre-crisis peak. The figures, from the Office for National Statistics showed that the economy grew by 0.8% in the second quarter of 2014. In the August 2014 Business Barometer survey, our panel of UK small business owners and business advisers …
Flexible working for SMEs
August 18, 2014
Millions of employees now have the right to request flexible working. The new law which came into force on 30th June 2014 entitles any employee with 26 weeks’ service to ask for a range of flexible options, including compressed hours, 4-day weeks, working from home and job shares. In the July 2014 Business Barometer survey, …
What do SMEs know about Local Enterprise Partnerships?
April 29, 2014
In the March 2014 Business Barometer survey, our panel of UK small business owners and business advisers were asked what they know about Local Enterprise Partnerships. The responses from small business owners were as follows: Are you aware of Local Enterprise Partnerships? Yes 61.3% No 27.5% Not sure 11.3% Do you know which Local …
National Minimum Wage vs Living Wage
April 4, 2014
In the February 2014 Business Barometer survey, our panel of UK small business owners and business advisers were asked about the effects of a potential rise in National Minimum Wage on their businesses and the feasibility of paying employees the higher living wage. The responses from small business owners were as follows: George Osborne has …
Growth 100: Business owners in the classroom
March 31, 2014
Research Associate, Jeannie Holstein, comments on the Growth 100 programme so far. The first cohort of the Growth 100 programme, delivered by The University of Nottingham’s Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and designed to give 100 Nottingham-based owners and directors the knowledge and skills to help them expand their businesses, has just graduated, and it seems an …
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