More than two-thirds (67%) of companies are concerned about a government led by Andy Burnham, a snapshot survey revealed today. DJH’s Future of Business report, which took the pulse of 200 owners from across the UK, paints a picture of further uncertainty with most owners sceptical about the prospect of growth under the new Prime Minister. When asked about their biggest concerns, three quarters of firms are worried about a rise in taxation, with nearly half (46%) viewing more red tape as another significant barrier to growth. The potential for a Number 10 in the North generated a divided response…

55% not prepared for new digital tax deadline on 7 August 40% stated new process made them more organised, 28% said it reduced last-minute tax stress 93% want to manage tax admin through their banking app or online banking  With just weeks remaining until the first Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax submission deadline, new research from Lloyds suggests more than half of small businesses (55%) still have work to do before they are ready to comply with the new rules. Based on HMRC estimates of the number of sole traders and landlords in scope, that could mean around…

By Tom Kidwell, Co-founder & Director of Ecliptic Dynamics.  Despite years of headline‑grabbing cyber attacks and the noise around breaches causing some serious operational, financial and reputational damage to major brands like Marks and Spencer and the Co-Op, too many SMEs are still failing to act to improve their cyber resilience, operating with a mindset of “it won’t happen to me.” According to the UK’s latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2026, the proportion of businesses reporting a cyber breach or attack has held steady at 43%, which is a stark reminder that, for many SMEs, cyber resilience is simply not…

Danielle Robinson, Senior Insurance Adviser at Cavendish Online, a UK life insurance broker specialising in business protection insurance for owner-managed SMEs, discusses key person cover, shareholder protection, critical illness disruption and the questions SME directors may want to consider when reviewing business continuity arrangements..  For most SME directors, risk isn’t ignored. It just gets pushed down the list. There is always something more immediate. Sales targets. Staffing. Cashflow. The next contract. Protection tends to sit in the background until something forces the conversation. By that point, decisions are often reactive rather than planned. When a Business Relies on a Few…

Manmohan Singh Bhachu, Partner at Oury Clark Chartered Accountants, discusses why the rise of AI is making professional bookkeeping more important than ever.  AI is changing the way businesses manage their finances. From automating data entry to generating reports in seconds, AI tools are helping businesses save time and improve efficiency. As these systems become more sophisticated, some business owners may start to wonder whether they still need a bookkeeper at all. The reality is that whilst AI can make bookkeeping processes faster, it cannot replace the role of a professional bookkeeper. In fact, the more businesses rely on…

More than one in five (22%) SMEs fear they could be forced out of business over problems paying tax bills in the next five years, new research1 from Premium Credit, a leading provider of finance for businesses, shows. Its study with SME owners and managers found nearly two out of five (39%) say they have missed up to four tax bill deadlines in the past three years, highlighting the need for solutions to help SMEs pay bills on time. More than seven out of 10 (71%) firms said they would consider using a scheme enabling them to spread the cost of…

A new study from MyPerfectCV® , a leading UK CV platform, finds that the rise of tech is making human skills the ultimate workplace commodity in 2026. As AI and automation reshape the workplace, many professionals fear that machines will replace human roles entirely. But UK employers are sending a different message: human skills are not only still essential – they’re becoming more valuable than ever. The UK Human Skills Roadmap reveals that employers are increasingly de-prioritising formal academic credentials to focus on candidates who can bring not only confidence and communication, but also AI and digital literacy skills. Key Findings Prompting…

As Andy Burnham prepares to  take office as Prime Minister, the UK small business community is laser-focused on what the new administration will mean for corporate growth, taxation, and regional policy. For regional enterprises, the transition to a leader with deep roots outside of London brings clear expectations for structural change. Below, two leading voices from the financial and corporate recovery sectors in the North West outline what owner-managed firms and SMEs need to see from the incoming government. Businesses Need Clear & Consistent Policies Steven Mason, an insolvency practitioner and senior manager at Inquesta, says: “Many UK businesses would…

Katherine Chapman, new chief executive officer at Investors in People, looks at how low trust can create a hidden productivity drain inside growing businesses, with employees spending time and energy covering themselves, delaying difficult conversations or holding back concerns until issues have become harder to solve. A customer problem has been rumbling on for a few days. One person spotted the risk early, another didn’t raise it and a manager is left piecing together what happened from a trail of cautious emails. By the time the issue reaches the owner or senior team the customer is frustrated and people are…

Six Figured Females, the networking community created especially for ambitious businesswomen has launched a franchise model to help the business reach new areas of the UK, expand its reach and grow its membership. Headed up by Alison Cooper, Six Figured Females brings leaders of growth businesses together to build connections, foster deeper relationships, celebrate success and navigate business challenges. The community currently has over 80 members, eight hosts and seven groups across Essex, Bishop Stortford, London and Cambridge, with a new group in Hertford opening later this summer. The franchise model will enable the networking group to expand even further into…