Smaller firms in Scotland saw increased levels of equity investment in 2024 as London became less dominant and the wider UK saw a collective decline, according to new research from the British Business Bank. The Bank’s annual Small Business Equity Tracker, published today, showed that equity deals involving small businesses in Scotland totalled £507 […]
Two-thirds of UK companies are considering axing jobs due to economic uncertainty, according to a new major study. The findings, contained in a new research report commissioned by PAYALLY, leading financial specialist with global expertise, revealed that 67% of business leaders were considering slashing headcount to balance the books. The survey, which quizzed 500
Two-thirds of UK businesses cutting staff due to economic uncertainty Read More »
Equity investment levels in Scotland’s smaller businesses grew in 2024, bouncing back from a challenging 2023, according to new research from the British Business Bank. The Bank’s Small Business Finance Markets 2024/25 report found that during the first three quarters of 2024 the investment value of announced equity deals involving smaller businesses in Scotland rose 14.2%
Equity investment volumes into smaller Scottish businesses bounce back in 2024 Read More »
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Quarterly Economic Forecast has slightly upgraded growth expectations for 2024 and 2025, as the recession lasts just two quarters, but strong growth will remain elusive. The UK economy is expected to grow every year until the end of 2026 but will continue to lack momentum. While 2023 ended with
BCC Economic Forecast expects recession to end but growth will be weak Read More »
New research by UK top ten accountancy and advisory firm Azets has revealed that fewer than one in ten UK businesses have succession planning fully integrated into their strategy, despite 30% of companies demonstrating a widespread recognition of its importance. The Azets Barometer January 2024 survey shows that more than half (58%) of businesses have
Research reveals gap in succession planning among UK Businesses Read More »
UK staff should expect a slow in pay rises this year as employers navigate economic uncertainty, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Despite improved business confidence, employers are planning to give the lowest pay rise increase since the pandemic, falling from an average pay increase of 5% to a predicted 4%
CIPD warns that pay rises are set to slow in 2024 Read More »
Consistency in the domestic and export markets ensured a more stable end to 2023 for Greater Birmingham businesses, according to a major new economic report released this week. Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce’s latest Quarterly Business Report reveals domestic sales, export demand and turnover all remained relatively stable during Q4. The report, sponsored by Birmingham
Birmingham firms see signs of stability amid challenging environment Read More »
Four in ten (40%) UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) claim it is easier for them to access finance from fintech lenders rather than mainstream banks, according to new research from Sonovate, an alternative finance and payment solutions provider. Alternative finance options increasingly offer a lifeline for UK SMEs, with seven in ten (70%) admitting
The post-pandemic hiring boom is in decline as three-quarters of UK businesses admit to struggles with staff recruitment, according to new research from the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Hiring intentions were also shown to be continuing to fall last month. The BCC surveyed almost 5,000 companies, and found that 73% had faced hiring difficulties
Three quarters of UK businesses struggling to source staff Read More »
The Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) has published a new report Job creation in Northern Irish firms. The report takes into account recent debates and movement in policy around scaling, to assess how firms grow rather than why, analysing firms’ growth path, to better understand the growth process. Focusing on employer firm births, the
Half a million jobs created in Northern Ireland in last 15 years Read More »
