Applications for personal guarantee insurance from female directors rose 77% year on year in the first half of 2026, outpacing the 64% growth seen across the broader market

UK small business sales growth slowed to 2.9% in Q1 2026. Kate Hayward of Xero explains why caution is understandable, and what resilience looks like

UK SMEs can tap £45.2bn in public sector contracts by using the right funding strategy to overcome upfront costs

UK SMEs face growing trade uncertainty and tariff impacts. Revisiting pricing, cash-flow stress tests and supply-chain exposure is essential for resilience

Rising taxes and access to finance are hindering ambition, but AI-supported lending can unlock the growth potential of Britain’s SMEs

Most businesses expect a spending boost from the World Cup. Dr Charles Nimoh of Salford University explains why this tournament may deliver something more complicated

The King’s Speech confirmed landmark late payment legislation that could transform life for the UK’s small businesses. Here is what is coming and when

The FSB has welcomed HMRC’s preferred approach to VAT compliance in online marketplaces, saying businesses below the £90,000 threshold will be protected from additional red tape

HMRC wants to standardise company tax returns using digital tagging. Christian Novak of ACCA explains what businesses stand to gain, and where the risks lie

Overdue invoices are strangling UK businesses. Andrea Reynolds of Swoop on the practical steps founders can take to protect their cash flow

The Small Business Commissioner on why reducing the regulatory burden is one of the most powerful things government can do for entrepreneurs

Accounting firms are growing but stretched, with capacity, AI adoption and rising client expectations reshaping the profession in 2026