COVID-19: THE LATEST
For all the latest news and updates, visit our Covid-19 Hub.
NET ZERO
Our Sustainability Hub has everything you need to help you on your journey to net zero.
EU TRADE
If you are a UK business which trades with Europe, keep track of the latest changes and developments via FSB's Transition Hub.
NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES
Plan B restrictions eased
The Government has announced that it will ease the Plan B restrictions in England as of 27 January. FSB welcomed the news, with National Chair Mike Cherry stating: "After two years of chopping and changing, small businesses right across England will be hoping that this marks the beginning of a final winding down of trading restrictions." He also urged consumers to support small businesses, and to respect the -house rules' put in place by firms. The Government's guidance on working safely has once again been updated.
Rise in insolvencies
The number of corporate insolvencies in England and Wales was 11% higher in 2021 than in 2020, with the monthly average rising sharply in the second half of last year, according to the Insolvency Service. FSB National Vice-Chair Martin McTague commented: "[The] figures are a stark reminder that the nascent recovery from the pandemic needs to be nurtured, something that will be endangered if we lose too many of our small businesses." He called on the Government to rethink the forthcoming tax rises in April which will hit small businesses regardless of whether or not they are managing to break even or make a profit.
Help to grow: Digital scheme launched
Small business owners in the UK are now able to access the long-promised Government Help to Grow: Digital scheme. The new platform offers free and impartial online support on how technology can boost their business performance. Eligible businesses with more than five employees will be able to apply for a discount of up to 50% on the costs of approved software, worth up to £5,000. The scheme was designed in response to FSB requests for support to boost digital skills and software adoption by small business owners. This case became even stronger with Covid, as small firms needed to adapt new ways they do business during the pandemic.
FSB Awards reminder
There may still be time to enter the FSB Awards 2022, although some regions' entries have already closed. Check if that applies to you and enter via our site.
Sick Pay scheme opens
The Government has opened its Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, allowing employers to claim for employees who were off sick due to Covid on or after 21 December 2021.
Energy price increases
Many businesses have been hit by energy price increases (if this applies to you, and you'd be happy to speak to the media about your experiences, please email us). There are sources of help and advice available, including Ofgem's energy advice for businesses, advice on what to do if your supplier goes bust, and advice for getting help if your business can't pay its energy bills, while Citizens Advice also has a page on this topic.
IP webinars
The Intellectual Property Office is running two free webinars, on the basics of IP and on how to protect your IP when trading abroad, on 27 January. Innovate UK has also written a post about how the UK's exit from the EU has affected IP rights.
Innovation grant funding
Innovate UK has recently highlighted details of various grants available to small businesses, who are invited to apply for shares of: a £5m fund to find solutions that integrate climate and environmental factors into financial services; a £10m fund for business case feasibility studies to support scale-up of the UK's zero emission automotive supply chain; a £25m fund for technologies for a net zero automotive future; a £4.5m fund for innovative skills, talent, and training projects for power electronics, motors and drives; a £6m fund for projects to advance the commercialisation of quantum technologies; and a £25m fund for game-changing and commercially viable research and development (R&D) innovation.
Impact Down Under?
Parliament's International Trade Committee wants to hear about how the UK-Australia free trade agreement will affect businesses across the UK, from agri-food to manufacturing and services. To fill in the 10-minute survey (closing on Sunday), click here.
Competition in banking improves
The Financial Conduct Authority has found that challenger banks and digital innovation have improved the state of competition in the retail banking sector, with share of personal and micro-business current accounts held by digital challengers growing between 2020 and 2021.
Landlords and net zero
FSB has published a post setting out how landlords can contribute to the net zero agenda, including their legal obligations around property and equipment inspections and energy efficiency standards.
State of small business report
The Enterprise Research Centre has published its "annual review of trends affecting small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK [...] to give a picture of how UK SMEs have responded to the challenges and opportunities that they have faced". Read more here.
Conflict prevention and management webinar
ACAS is holding a webinar on how to prevent, contain, and resolve workplace conflicts on 9 February, with FSB's Martin McTague among the panellists. Sign up here.
Calling all food and drink entrepreneurs-
Fancy getting your food or drink business, product, technology or equipment in front of Gordon Ramsay? Future Food Stars is looking for entrants for series two, with series one to air later this year - apply here.
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