The latest news affecting small and medium sized (SME) businesses in the UK
Business secretary Peter Kyle is calling on UK SMEs to start exporting, promising government-backed finance and advice to help firms seize overseas demand for British products.
A High Court judge has ruled that thousands of claimants can continue legal action against Capita over a major 2023 cyber attack, marking a significant moment…
![Heathrow has said passenger numbers were 60% lower in November than before the coronavirus pandemic and there were “high cancellations” among business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas for Christmas as Omicron spreads. The UK’s largest airport said the government’s travel restrictions had dealt a fresh blow to travel confidence and predicted it was likely to take several years for passenger numbers to return to pre-pandemic levels. This week ministers said passengers arriving in the UK would have to take a pre-departure Covid test, as well as a post-flight test, because of fears about the spread of the new variant. “[The] high level of cancellations by business travellers concerned about being trapped overseas because of pre-departure testing shows the potential harm to the economy of travel restrictions,” the airport said in an update. Heathrow said the drop in traveller confidence owing to the new travel restrictions had negated the benefit of reopening the all-important corridor to North America for business and holiday travel last month. Eleven African countries have been added to the government’s red list, requiring travellers to quarantine before reuniting with families. “By allowing Brits to isolate at home, ministers can make sure they are reunited with their loved ones this Christmas,” said John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow. “It would send a strong signal that restrictions on travel will be removed as soon as safely possible to give passengers the confidence to book for 2022, opening up thousands of new jobs for local people at Heathrow. Let’s reunite families for Christmas.” Heathrow said that if the government could safely signal that restrictions would be lifted soon, then employers at Heathrow would have the confidence to hire thousands of staff in anticipation of a boost in business next summer. The airport is expecting a slow start to 2022, finishing next year with about 45 million passengers – just over half of pre-pandemic levels. This week Tui, Europe’s largest package holiday operator, said it expected bookings for next summer to bounce back to 2019 levels. However, Heathrow said on Friday not to expect the aviation industry to recover for several years. “We do not expect that international travel will recover to 2019 levels until at least all travel restrictions (including testing) are removed from all the markets that we serve, at both ends of the route, and there is no risk of new restrictions, such as quarantine, being imposed,” the airport said.](https://bmmagazine---co---uk.lsproxy.app/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/05/shutterstock_1100012546-768x513.jpg.webp)
City analysts warn that the rise of weight-loss jabs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy could pose a lasting challenge for Greggs, hitting demand from some of…
NatWest has agreed a £2.7bn acquisition of Evelyn Partners, creating the UK’s largest private banking and wealth management group as lenders pivot towards fee-based income.
Cornish Metals receives US interest in a $225m loan to revive South Crofty, with future tin production potentially exported to America.
Andrew Bailey says he was shocked by claims Peter Mandelson leaked sensitive financial information to Jeffrey Epstein and supports a police investigation.
Vauxhall owner Stellantis has booked a €22bn hit after reversing its electric vehicle strategy, sending shares down more than 20% and scrapping its dividend.
An award-winning UK tradesperson is relocating to Switzerland, warning that rising taxes, weak apprenticeship support and red tape are driving skilled workers overseas.
Hollywood studios and streamers pushed UK film production spending to a record £2.8bn in 2025, but growth may slow as Netflix shifts projects back to the…
Chinese carmaker Chery is launching its fourth UK brand, Lepas, expanding its fast-growing presence as Chinese EV and hybrid brands gain ground in Britain.
The ICO has fined MediaLab £247,590 after finding Imgur failed to protect children’s personal data, allowed under-13s to use the platform without age checks and exposed…
Cutting net migration to zero would deliver a short-term boost to living standards but ultimately prove “fiscally unsustainable”, leaving the UK economy smaller, public finances weaker…
The UK Government has announced a £36m investment to expand Cambridge’s DAWN AI supercomputer, giving researchers and startups free access to advanced computing power.
Dragons’ Den investor Peter Jones has acquired American Golf, the UK’s largest golf retailer, as he looks to revive the loss-making chain and expand its online…
Santander has accused the FCA of regulatory overreach after setting aside £461m for the UK motor finance scandal, as its Spanish parent agrees a $12bn US…