HM Treasury has launched an investigation into the impact on Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) when a company opts to buy a second site.

HM Treasury published a report last week revealing the Chancellor will explore fixing the sudden jumps in business rates that appear when a firm expands. Known as “cliff edges”, these can discourage small business investment and growth.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “Our economy isn’t broken, but it does feel stuck. That’s why growth is our number one mission. We want to see thriving high streets and small businesses investing in their future, not held back by outdated rules”.

Stunting growth

SBRR is a national discount scheme administered by local councils on behalf of the UK government. In England, you can get SBRR if your property has a rateable value of £15,000 or less.

However, as outlined in the Treasury’s report, firms currently lose SBRR the moment they add another property, which can turn a modest move into a costly leap.

As The Treasury writes: “That means that a local bakery would have to pay thousands of pounds more for opening a small shop in the next village.”

Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, agreed, pointing out that this system has been “…unfairly punish[ing] hospitality businesses”.

She added: “These measures to remove punitive cliff-edges and barriers to investment are positive and will help to rebalance the system, as will the government’s commitment to lower business rates bills for hospitality businesses.”

The report suggests change could be imminent but there is a caveat that this is an “exploration” and we are unlikely to see confirmation of changes until the Autumn Budget.

“A rare moment of common sense”

The report has been received positively by business owners and organisations alike.

Eamonn Prendergast, chartered financial adviser at Bromley-based Palantir Financial Planning Ltd said that the current system is no less than a “tax trapdoor” for business, “one step too far and small firms are hit with bills they can’t sustain”.

He stated: “Smoothing these jumps would give local shops, cafés, and start-ups the confidence to grow without fearing financial freefall.”

There are, however, views that the Government needs to do more, not least among hospitality business owners who have been hit hard by changes to employer National Insurance contributions.

As Samuel Mather-Holgate, independent financial adviser at Swindon-based Mather and Murray Financial, said: “Although business rates are in need of a restructure, most businesses are pleading with the Chancellor to look again at employers’ National Insurance as it’s this that is killing off growth for businesses desperate to expand.”

Others pointed to the current Corporation Tax rates and the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill as contentious with businesses.

It will be the unveiling of the Autumn Budget that will give SMEs a clear view of the future. It looks like positive changes will be on the cards; but as Tina McKenzie, FSB Policy Chair, said: “…the proof will be in the pudding at Budget.”

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade, and President of the Board of Trade is now Peter Kyle. He takes over the role from Jonathan Reynolds, who has become the chief whip.

A member of parliament (MP) since 2015, Kyle comes into the role as firms reel from the employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) hike as well as mounting costs.

He will be watched intently by SMEs to see how he treads the line between fiscal discipline and creating an environment in which businesses can thrive.

Kyle takes the role just months before the Autumn Budget is announced and predictions of more bad news for SMEs are already mounting.

There are, however, suggestions that relief may be provided in the form of energy subsidies, business rate reforms and support for businesses trying to move towards digital technology – something Kyle asked the last Government about in Parliament.

Who is Peter Kyle?

Kyle is the MP for Hove and Portslade, where he has been elected three times and has lived for 25 years. From July last year, he also held the role of Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology.

The 55-year-old political veteran studied geography, international development and environmental studies at University of Sussex.

After gaining a PhD, Kyle was deputy chief executive of ACEVO, which is the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, and whose trustees include Mark Norbury, chief executive of UnLtd, the UK’s leading foundation for social entrepreneurs.

He then moved on to heading up the charity, Working for Youth, which is aimed at tackling youth unemployment. Kyle is also the first openly gay MP for Hove and Portslade.

What will Kyle do for small businesses?

Kyle has toed the party line when it has come to fiscal decisions. He appears to have been pro the National Insurance rise for employers, which has been controversial among business owners and economists alike.

Kyle also voted to raise Capital Gains Tax (CGT) for business owners and to make Investors’ Relief less generous.

However, Kyle did also vote to give special discounts to draught beer and cider under 8.5% to help pubs and small breweries, as hospitality firms claim they are being “taxed out”.

So, can we expect more of the same then? With his voting record, it is unlikely that Kyle will push to roll back the NICs changes; nor will he likely block tax rises over borrowing.

Technology champion

However, what we are likely to see is Kyle championing measures to help businesses upgrade their technology. He is a vocal advocate of AI – and hit the headlines for using ChatGPT to help him brainstorm in his previous role.

In July, in a speech at CityWeek 2025, Kyle stated: “An economy that, like ours, knows that the key to staying competitive is being squarely focussed on the future.”

He added: “…talking about the power of AI to grow the economy is all well and good. But unless companies use it, that growth only exists in theory.”

Kyle will likely push for measures to allow SMEs to upgrade their technology and upskill their staff; but in the beefy matters of NICs and potential tax increases, he will vote with his pack.

While many shoppers rely on the opinions of fellow consumers before hitting ‘buy’, government data indicates that around a third of customer reviews on major platforms could be fake. And, as one CEO has learned, these fake reviews can cause real harm.

In addition to being useless in guiding shoppers, fake reviews may lead to significant reputational damage for small businesses. Adam Collins, CEO of Ignite SEO, found that out the hard way when his agency was targeted with one-star reviews by spammers.

With the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Bill coming in this year, fake reviewer posters may be stopped in their tracks. Under the new law, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has greater powers to clamp down on fake reviews.

Why fake reviews are a growing threat

For many of us, customer reviews are a significant factor in decision-making when we’re choosing where to shop online. Research from the Department for Business & Trade states that they influence a huge £23bn of UK consumer spending annually.

And while reviews might exist online, it’s also brick-and-mortar businesses that are affected by ratings. It’s become almost second nature for customers to check out Google Business profiles or social media posts surrounding restaurants, pubs, and hotels before booking.

But, while major retailers may be able to absorb the blow of a few lower ratings, for SMEs, this can tank their rankings. A one-star review can skew an average overall rating, which can scare off potential customers and cause lasting damage to both reputation and profits.

Of course, not all fake reviews are negative. Some businesses may also inflate their own ratings with artificial praise to drown out criticism, as investigated by Which?. Either way, the issue seems to be rampant and causing trouble for both businesses and consumers alike.

How to spot a fake review

Fake reviews don’t always appear gradually. Sometimes, they arrive as part of a concentrated effort designed.

Adam Collins said he woke up to “a string of one-star reviews” and spam messages on WhatsApp, in what he called “a coordinated attempt to shake trust.”

For business owners like Collins, the key to stopping fake reviews is first recognising them. “If someone vandalised your storefront, you’d clean it up quickly”, points out Collins.

“Online reputations deserve the same care. The good news is the law is catching up, but SMEs need to stay alert and proactive.”

If you notice a sudden spike in reviews that doesn’t align with your actual sales or bookings, that could be a red flag. Generic or vague complaints, suspicious reviewer profiles, and clusters of posts arriving outside normal business hours are also common warning signs.

These signals can easily be mistaken for genuine customer dissatisfaction, but often they have little to do with your real business performance. By recognising this, SMEs can avoid wasting valuable time and energy chasing the wrong issues.

What small businesses can do about it

If you find yourself on the receiving end of fake reviews, don’t panic. Respond calmly, flag and report suspicious posts on the relevant platforms, and encourage genuine customers to share their feedback to counteract the negativity.

It’s also wise to train staff early on. Team members managing social media, customer care, or review platforms are often the first to spot suspicious activity, so equipping them with the right awareness means your business can respond more effectively.

As Collins warns: “For small businesses, even a handful of fake reviews can damage rankings, scare off new clients, and create real financial loss.”

Next month, ecommerce businesses that send packages through a Royal Mail business account could be charged up to £1.40 more to send parcels, after the postage service announced its latest price rises last week.

Costs will rise for customers sending personal items or selling on marketplaces like eBay. But deliveries will also become more expensive for business account holders, which will have a knock-on effect for online shops.

Below, we’ll explore how the planned price increases will affect firms specifically using the tracked Royal Mail 24® and Royal Mail 48® services. Here’s what’s changing.

What’s changing in Royal Mail’s 2025 price update?

Royal Mail regularly ups its prices as the cost of delivering items creeps upwards, with the most recent major increases occurring in April 2025. 

From Monday 6th October, costs across the organisation’s portfolio will increase by varying amounts. Notably, the compensation amount for consumer tracked services will be reduced from £150 to £75.

There will also be big price hikes when sending parcels with Royal Mail 24®, a business service from Royal Mail that aims for next-working-day delivery.

Compared to August 2025 prices, firms will pay 40p more to send small parcels weighing 1kg or less through Royal Mail 24® from October 6th. The heaviest parcels weighing 20kg will cost up to £1.40 more per item.

Costs for Royal Mail 48® (which aims to deliver parcels within two working days) have also gone up slightly, though not by as much as the quicker service.

As well, there will be a peak surcharge introduced for business accounts sending items over the Christmas period. This applies to domestic parcels and international products from 17 November 2025 until 9 January 2026.

What does this mean for ecommerce sellers?

For many ecommerce businesses, the latest Royal Mail price increases will put further pressure on already tight profit margins. 

Firms using Royal Mail Tracked 24® / Tracked 48® must sell at least 1,000 items a year to qualify for the services. That means account holders sending the smallest, 1kg parcels will spend an extra £400 a year at least from October 6th.

Sellers that offer free shipping as an incentive to customers may find themselves absorbing more of these costs, cutting into profits even further. 

How can small sellers adapt to higher delivery costs?

Reviewing shipping policies, such as free shipping thresholds or minimum spend requirements, can help manage additional expenses without alienating your customers. 

It doesn’t hurt to compare Royal Mail rates with other courier services or use aggregator platforms, as you may find a cheaper alternative. 

Even just making small adjustments to your packaging can reduce costs over time, such as using lighter materials or optimising parcel dimensions.

Looking ahead, delivery costs are likely to continue evolving. By planning ahead, especially for the Peak Surcharge period, you can be better positioned to protect your profit margin and stay competitive during the busy holiday season.

The Autumn Budget 2025 is officially set for Wednesday, November 26th, and SMEs across the country are anxiously waiting to find out what will be announced.

Last year’s Budget was a particularly bad one for small businesses with the announcement of a rise in employer National Insurance Contributions and a drop in business rates relief for retail, leisure, and hospitality. Sadly, this year’s statement could be similarly sour.

It will mark the end to a difficult year for SMEs, who have had high inflation, hiked taxes, and digital transitions to contend with. In July, the government’s Small Business Plan provided some hope in the form of further funding and powers to tackle late payments.

Aman Parmar, Head of Marketing at SME flexible workspace provider BizSpace, praised the plan, but added “without targeted tax relief measures – such as enhanced capital allowances – SMEs may struggle to invest in growth.”

What will happen on Autumn Budget day?

The Autumn Budget is an annual event where the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will outline the UK government’s plans for public spending, taxation, and economic policy.

Traditionally, the Budget is delivered in the House of Commons and lasts around an hour, usually following Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs).

You can tune into the Budget live on the BBC Parliament channel, as well as online via the UK Government’s official channels.

Ahead of the announcement, experts are speculating that the Chancellor will choose tax rises over borrowing. After her proposed welfare bill cuts were watered down in July, she will need to raise about £20bn.

Possible measures under consideration include a new National Insurance charge for landlords, changes to inheritance tax, and adjustments to the VAT threshold, though the specifics remain uncertain.

What’s likely on the table for SMEs?

SMEs are anticipating some level of financial relief to be announced in the Autumn Budget. Possible measures might include investment in infrastructure, funding for digital transformation, energy cost relief, and much-awaited business rates reforms.

Regarding business rates, Labour has previously pledged to permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values below £500,000 in 2026.

Parmar argues that the current business rates system is “outdated and disproportionately burdensome, especially for retailers and hospitality businesses still struggling post-pandemic.

“If Reeves can align her proposals with a reform of business rates that eases this burden, it would demonstrate a significant commitment to supporting the SME sector”, he adds.

Other circulating possibilities include a rise in the National Minimum Wage, anticipated changes under the Employment Rights Bill, and a potential increase in Capital Gains Tax.

What do small businesses want?

Many UK founders are calling for a rollback of the recent hikes in employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) and a commitment not to raise taxes further.

Tony Redondo, Founder at Newquay-based Cosmos Currency Exchange, echoed this sentiment, saying that the Chancellor should, “Recognise the economy is on its knees and don’t bury it completely with yet more tax rises.

“We need to promote economic growth, which means encouraging businesses, not tying them up in ever more taxes and red tape.”

Industry groups such as UKHospitality have compiled a similar list of requests. It includes urgent reform to business rates and employer NIC rates, as well as a lower rate for VAT for the industry, as already demonstrated by many EU countries.

However, a ban on tax rises is unlikely given the current economic pressure. While calls for relief are warranted, with the government under strong pressure to increase revenues, SME owners who expect a generous Budget will no-doubt be disappointed.

Being back-to-school ready can mean many things, but for business owners, it’s also the perfect time to learn how to do small business accounting.

You’re probably groaning at the thought, and we don’t blame you. Business accounting is never an easy task, but it’s something that you can’t ignore and staying on top of it can save you time, stress, and costly mistakes down the line.

However, it can be even harder when you’re a new entrepreneur or business, and don’t have a clue about how accounting works, or have the funds to gain a costly qualification.

Luckily, there are plenty of free online courses that can teach you the essentials and give you the practical skills you need to keep your finances on track — all without spending a penny.

To save you time, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best free accounting courses in the UK that you can start today.

1. Open University (OpenLearn): Introduction to bookkeeping and accounting

• Level: Beginner
• Specialism: Bookkeeping and accounting

If you’re totally new to accounting and have little to no experience in how it works, then the Open University’s introductory course is the perfect starting point. 

Offered by the university’s OpenLearn platform, this free online course walks you through the basics of accounting, including the essential numerical skills, how to keep track of financial records, and measuring profit and loss. 

Whether you’re interested in becoming an accountant or just need basic accounting skills for your small business, this course is a great way to pick up the essentials.

2. Oxford Home Study Centre (OHSC): AI for Financial Analysis Course

• Level: Beginner and professional
• Specialism: AI in accounting

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the game for business accounting, with the top free accounting software, including Sage and Xero, implementing AI features to make it easier than ever to handle bookkeeping and manage cash flow.

But understanding how to utilise these features can be a challenge. That’s why the Oxford Home Study Centre (OHSC) is offering a free course for both beginner and professional-level candidates to learn how AI can streamline financial operations, improve decision-making, and offer real-time insights.

The course covers three main modules: introduction to AI in financial analysis, using AI for data collection and pre-processing, and using AI for financial forecasting and trend analysis.

3. Activate Learning Adult Education: Computerised Payroll Level 1

• Level: Beginner
• Specialism: Payroll

Paying your employees properly is essential when running a business, yet 48% of SMEs have admitted to calculating wages incorrectly.

If payroll is something you’re new to, then Activate Learning’s free course on computerised payroll offers everything you need to learn about managing payroll. It includes entering employee details correctly, calculating gross pay, processing the first payroll, and running those all-important reports (e.g. payslips).

4. Alison: Accounting for Inventory

• Level: Intermediate
• Specialism: Inventory management

If you’re a retail business or starting an ecommerce store, then you should know that inventory management is a crucial part of your business operations.

Alison, a free online learning platform, offers multiple accounting courses for all levels (beginner to advanced) for free. This free online course teaches you the essentials of keeping your inventory in check.

In this course, you can expect to learn several areas of inventory accounting, including how to identify and analyse accounting transactions, how a company uses Last In, First Out (LIFO) or First In Last Out (FIFO) to calculate inventory cost, and how to use efficiency metrics to monitor inventory.

5. ACCA: Introduction to Bookkeeping

• Level: Beginner
• Specialism: Bookkeeping

Much like the Open University, ACCA’s free bookkeeping course is ideal for new businesses and entrepreneurs looking to get a solid grasp of bookkeeping, understand their finances, and set up reliable systems from the start.

This course covers several important topics, such as business transactions, double-entry bookkeeping, payroll and ledger accounts, and reconciliation. There are also no entry requirements, and you can start the course whenever you want. 

6. Oxford Home Study Centre (OHSC): Profit and Loss Accounts

• Level: Beginner
• Specialism: Profit and loss accounts

A significant part of accounting is calculating your profit and loss statements. These show exactly how much money is coming in and going out, and whether your business is actually making a profit.

As part of OHSC’s variety of free online accounting courses, this curriculum is all about teaching you everything you need to know about measuring your profits and losses.

Covering essential topics like measuring income, preparing profit/loss accounts, and foundational terminology, it’s designed to give you a clear understanding of how to manage your business finances.

7. Open University (OpenLearn): Fundamentals of accounting

• Level: Beginner
• Specialism: Accounting and bookkeeping

As the title suggests, OpenLearn’s four-week course is all about teaching you the essential concepts and skills of bookkeeping. Here’s a quick rundown of the topics the course will cover:

• Week 1: Introduction to the key differences between financial accounting and management accounting.
• Week 2: Essential skills for accounting, including manipulating equations, using percentages and ratios, and understanding rounding.
• Week 3: The concepts of double-entry accounting, including the accounting equation and the rules for recording transactions in ledger accounts.
• Week 4: How to prepare a trial balance and balance sheet, and how your income statement fits with the accounting equation.

8. Alison: Cash Flow Management Basics

• Level: Beginner
• Specialism: Cash flow management

Another fundamental aspect of managing your business accounts is your cash flow. Knowing how money moves in and out of your business helps you stay on top of bills, plan for growth, and avoid any nasty surprises when expenses pile up.

Alison’s Cash Flow Management Basics course helps you understand cash flow management, including liquidity, efficiency, profitability, and leverage ratios. It’ll also teach you the most important types of financial ratios (and how to apply them), and the relationship between the value of sales, costs, expenses, assets, liabilities and equity to get a better understanding of your financial position and your business’s performance in the future.

9. Alison: Understanding and Managing Tax in the UK

• Level: Advanced
• Specialism: Taxes

Income tax, corporation tax, value-added tax (VAT) — all of these terms can be a huge headache if you don’t understand what they are or how to calculate them.

This is where Alison’s free tax management course can come to the rescue. Designed to give you a better understanding of tax systems in the UK, this free course covers a range of fundamental areas, including how it impacts the economy, VAT rates, the different types of National Insurance Contributions (NICs), and important dates for reports.

10. KBM Training & Recruitment: Practical Self-Assessment Tax Return Training

• Level: Beginner
• Specialism: Self-Assessment Tax Return

KBM Training & Recruitment offers several government-funded short courses for those looking to learn or improve their accounting skills. And for sole traders and freelancers specifically, the course on Self-Assessment tax returns is useful if you’re new to self-employment.

In this 8-hour course, you can expect to cover a variety of core subjects. This includes the meaning of Self-Assessment tax returns, the different types of income (e.g. employment, self-employment, rental, investments), how to calculate income, deductions and allowances, and how to file and submit your first tax return.

In a case that all the tech world has watched intently since it was filed in 2020, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has made its judgement that Google does not have to spin off its Chrome search engine.

It was the rise of AI technology that experts suggest swayed Judge Mehta towards a decision, which many argue is in Google’s favour.

The judge determined that while Google did have a monopoly in traditional search engines, AI companies have the financial and technological clout to fight Google’s dominance now as search becomes increasingly AI-powered.

However, the judgement leaves ecommerce businesses unsure of where they stand, as Google Zero – the company’s AI-powered search summary functionality – cannibalises their content and cuts their traffic.

What did the judge rule?

A revised judgement is due today, but the core result is that Google does not have to “divest” Chrome or the Android operating system, which is what the Department of Justice (DOJ) had been pushing for.

The judge determined: “Plaintiffs overreached in seeking forced divestiture of these key assets, which Google did not use to effect any illegal restraints.”

However, Judge Mehta rules that Google must not have exclusive contracts that condition payments or licensing. The DOJ had pushed for the company to be forced to stop what it called “compelled syndication” – or making its browsers the default choice for money.

Mehta ruled: “Google will not be barred from making payments or offering other consideration to distribution partners for preloading or placement of Google Search, Chrome, or its GenAI products.” However, these deals must not be exclusive.

Google has also been told to loosen its grip on its search data and the tech giant is already complaining.

What does this mean for Google Zero?

With Google compelled to share data – and with its exclusivity deals now not allowed – more players could potentially enter the AI-powered search field.

However, the truth is we don’t know how this is going to play out for ecommerce businesses yet as Google is dominant in this arena and will continue to be so.

This judgement might not be tough enough to stop what many businesses are already reporting – a significant drop in their website traffic as Google’s AI Mode summarises their content and keeps users on its pages.

Research from AccuRanker has revealed a significant decline in mobile click-through rates (CTR) for ecommerce. Any new players fighting for search dominance may do exactly the same, so it looks like zero-click searches are here to stay.

How can businesses protect themselves?

Businesses are facing an ‘adapt or die’ moment. Gone are the days in which businesses can rely on SEO optimisation (and over-optimised FAQs or keyword stuffing) and now, says Google, they must deliver content for “higher quality clicks”.

To keep website traffic from tanking, eCommerce businesses are being encouraged to:

• Optimise for Google’s AI Overviews
• Ensure product pages, reviews and resources deliver genuine value to shoppers
• Analyse how Google Zero is impacting the traffic to their website by tracking key visibility metrics, such as impressions and the appearance of AI features
• Look at other marketing opportunities beyond their website using diverse channels

While Google has definitely had a dressing down, the tech behemoth will still dominate, even as pretenders to its throne hustle in the AI space.

In the meantime, businesses must adapt to Google Zero – and any competitors that launch – as the technology is not going to disappear but will keep evolving.

Accountancy companies are facing the worst talent crisis in years, according to research that gauged views from businesses around the world.

The Accounting Talent Index 2025, produced by outsourcing specialists Advancetrack, has surveyed a number of key business leaders and professionals in the sector, revealing that as many as 74% are having to turn away work because they don’t have the staff to deliver it.

Companies shared that they were investing heavily in training and upskilling to try and fill the void; but had also resorted to outsourcing some of their work overseas to struggle on.

Mounting crisis

The Advancetrack report, which was based on global data, revealed that a staggering 94% of firms say recruitment issues are now holding back their growth.

Analysis also revealed that 61% of respondents say they have outsourced work overseas to expand capacity.

Companies are furiously working to find solutions. 42% share that they are investing heavily in staff training and development to try and upskill the budding accountants of tomorrow.

38% of businesses have also upgraded their technology, including their systems, in a bid to be more efficient and therefore meet demand.

Demand looming

In the UK, the Government has paused (not cancelled) its HMRC reforms, after being warned it would cause a red tape pile up for SMEs.

As we creep towards April 6, when MTD starts being implemented, research suggests that nearly half of sole traders don’t know about the changes; and nearly three quarters don’t understand what MTD will mean for them.

However, this report exposes that accountancy firms already do not have the staff to meet demand – and this is before Making Tax Digital (MTD) really bites in the UK.

Outsourcing to keep clients

The demand for accountancy experts in the UK is undoubtedly going to increase beyond the April deadline, but this report suggests that firms currently don’t have the staff to meet this need. Outsourcing is playing a role, the data reveals, but it’s not enough.

The hike in employer NICs and increases in overheads have already been pushing more UK ventures towards outsourcing options across all industries.

Virtual assistants – whether human or AI – are proving increasingly popular as they can deliver support but are paid on an hourly or day rate. This means businesses do not need to pay NICs contributions; benefits or a fixed salary. They can also request help as and when needed, delivering flexibility when budgets might be tight.

For those accountancy firms looking to fill the gaps while they find the right talent or upskill employees, outsourcing is a way of bridging the gap.

Technological solutions

But, says Advancetrack MD Vipul Sheth, outsourcing is a short-term solution. The profession can’t “hire its way out” of the problem. Instead, he is calling for a complete change of operating models if businesses want to grow. Technology is key in this.

In the UK, this is a pressing issue. As SMEs approach the deadline for HMRC’s digital demands, software is going to be key in helping them stay compliant.

Accounting software is a DIY approach for those who are understaffed; but requires investment both for the initial outlay and then for training.

However, with rapid advancements, especially using AI, software could be the quickest solution for businesses as they scramble to find staff and maintain growth.

With nearly half of respondents saying that the talent crisis is worsening, solo accountants and microbusinesses need to act now to ensure they keep their clients.

Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants in the capital have braced themselves for a horrific week, as industrial action hits all Tube lines except the Elizabeth and Overground Line.

The four-day strike, which is being staged by the RMT membership, is over pay and conditions but centres upon a push for a 32-hour working week. It coincides with action on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which will also cause disruption.

It comes at a time when many hospitality businesses say that they are “surviving not thriving”; and is predicted will hit their takings hard.

Counting the cost

UKHospitality has claimed that the cost to businesses in the capital could be as much as £110m with both customers and staff unable to get into London.

Kate Nicholls, the organisation’s chair, told LBC that “this level of impact comes at a time when businesses can least afford it, having just been hit with £3.4 billion in additional annual cost”.

However, the Centre for Economics and Business Research says the figure is a massive under-estimation, writing that the cost could amount to as much as £230m.

This figure, it claims, “reflects the loss of roughly 700,000 working days across both TfL staff and the wider commuter base.”

It added: “These figures only capture the immediate disruption, but the true economic hit is likely to be significantly higher once the indirect effects are considered.”

Knock-on impact

In February 2023, the CEBR predicted a planned one-day of industrial action would cost £94m, “with a further estimated £100m hit to hospitality sectors as footfall vanishes”.

The organisation argues that there are direct impacts – namely staff struggling to get into work and lower customer footfall – but also indirect implications.

It explains that more traffic on the roads will mean that commuters take longer to get to work hence impacting productivity. It also suggests that the businesses around the commuter stations outside of London will see lower footfall as people opt to work from home.

However, despite headlines warning of huge ramifications then and now, The Times published an article in April 2023 saying that the impact on the UK economy had not been as bad as predicted.

More bad news

For hospitality business owners in the capital, though, this will come as little consolation. One business owner told BBC News that he was bracing for a loss of around £600-£700 a day.

The hospitality industry is already reeling from the impact of changes to employer National Insurance Contributions and the Skilled Worker Visa, which has made finding talent even tougher.

These issues, on top of a dip in consumer spending and produce price hikes, are making day-to-day life hard for hospitality business owners.

While the real economic impact won’t be gauged for several months – and even then there will be a debate on its accuracy – for hospitality business owners, this is just another kick when most are already far down.

The latest research from Pitchbook offers an optimistic view of Series A-B funding rounds; but also serves a warning that more established startups will find their later funding rounds far less lucrative. 

The data shows that Series A–B rounds remain robust, comprising 65.5% of total VC deal value in H1 2025 – up from 51.2% in 2024.

The boom has been driven by strong activity in pharma and biotech. However, the Pitchbook data shows that Series C–D funding has declined, capturing just 14.3% of deal value.

Early stage optimism

The Pitchbook report describes Series A-B funding as “resilient” despite “a weaker macroeconomic backdrop and increased market volatility”. There has been a slow down from the previous year, but the report acknowledges that 2024 was a “record” year. 

In H1, the capital raised reached £1.5bn. If this level continues for the rest of the year, private fundraising in the UK will have declined 59.6% year-on-year. 

Leading the pack for total investment are AI ventures and Big Data has entered the top ten sectors for the first time thanks to AI-linked applications. The report singles out life sciences as a “rare area of growth”, while pharma and biotech ventures enjoy “strong deal flow”. 

A shifting fund structure

The contrast with 2024 is not only one of capital raised. It appears the very nature of the fund structure has changed. The data reveals that most new funds raised are under £50m. In 2024, more than 15% of funds closing exceeded £250m. 

There have been some big hitters though no megafunds (£1bn-plus vehicles) to date. The report mentions the Adams Street European Venture Fund 2023, which raised £230.7m and was the fourth-largest close in H1 within all of Europe. 

This was followed by QuantumLight Capital Fund and 2150 Urban Tech Sustainability Fund II, which raised £188m and £166.8m, respectively. 

For capital raised, 69.6% of capital was in emerging firms in H1, compared with just 25.6% in 2024.

Quandary for more established startups

This report confirms what we have already seen in the market – that things are tough for rapidly-growing ventures or later stage startups looking at their third or fourth funding rounds. 

Warning bells were already sounding after the UK lost one of its most lauded startups – Deliveroo – in a buy-out by a US competitor. 

Other signs include the money transfer firm Wise’s decision to ditch its primary listing with the London Stock Exchange. Instead, it has gone for a dual listing but with the US as its primary base, despite the Chancellery pinning its hopes on a fintech boom. 

Despite this, there is confidence. This year’s funding may not hit the heady heights of 2024, but the Pitchbook report nods to the Mansion House Accord, an agreement signed in May 2025 by 17 major pension providers to allocate at least 10% of their defined contribution (DC) default funds. It estimates this “could unlock £50bn for private markets by 2030”.

Many UK tech companies are also reportedly mulling joining PISCES, the stock market for trading private company shares the government announced in May this year. It is hoped that PISCES will help to improve late-stage funding for private firms in the UK.

In the meanwhile, early-stage startups can be optimistic about securing their Series A-B funding. But it looks likely that the UK may lose more of our bigger and established startup ventures unless there is a dramatic change in the landscape. 

After high-profile backlash against ASOS’ stricter returns policy, online retailers may hesitate to enforce their own rules. But a recent poll tells a different story: 86% of consumers say limits on returns are fair, as long as they’re clearly explained.

Recent findings from The Harris Poll UK reveal ASOS’ misstep wasn’t the returns policy itself, but the lack of clear communication. By introducing harsh penalties for so-called “serial returners” without properly setting expectations, the brand left customers feeling blindsided.

Setting reasonable restrictions around returns matters most in fashion, where return rates are higher than almost any other sector. Too lenient, and your margins might suffer. Too harsh, or too poorly communicated and your reputation does.

Shoppers say clarity matters more than the policy itself

The Harris Poll survey of a nationally representative sample of UK adults asked shoppers if they agree returns policies protect the majority of shoppers. 75% agreed, and only 4% believe these policies are unfair.

Fashion retailers are among the hardest hit by returns. A so-called “Try Now, Pay Never” behaviour, sparked by BNPL schemes and social media haul culture, encourages customers to order excessive amounts of clothing with minimal commitment.

In response, fast-fashion giants such as ASOS, as well as Pretty Little Thing (PLT), have tightened their returns policies to mitigate the financial impact of high-volume returns.

ASOS, for instance, replaced free returns with paid returns and introduced fees for customers who send back a high volume of items, unless those items are faulty or incorrect. For normal returns, a fee is now deducted if the value of kept items falls below a threshold: £40 for regular customers and £15 for premium subscribers.

These changes sparked backlash online from customers who felt alienated by brands they once trusted, largely because the policies had not been communicated effectively.

Transparent returns rules protect profits and trust

While lax returns policies may seem customer-friendly, the cost can quickly add up for retailers. Shipping fees, restocking labor, and resale losses on lightly worn or returned items can seriously affect margins. 

Transparent, yet firm, return policies help protect profits by deterring “serial returners” while maintaining a positive relationship with shoppers who follow the rules.

The difference often comes down to communication. Sudden or poorly explained changes to returns rules can easily backfire, damaging your reputation almost overnight. In contrast, clear explanations about why limits exist, not just what the limits are, build trust and loyalty. 

How should retailers communicate returns limits?

Clear communication is key in making return policies work for both you and your customers.

First, explain why limits exist: highlight sustainability concerns, the cost of processing returns, and your intention to protect the majority of shoppers. This helps customers understand that there’s a rationale behind your rules, rather than being arbitrary.

In addition, retailers should be sure that the messaging is consistent, from product pages and checkout screens to order confirmation emails, so customers are never surprised by a fee or restriction. 

Lastly, testing different communication channels can help identify the most effective ways to reach shoppers without causing confusion.

For SMEs, the message is simple: clear and consistent returns policies can help keep costs down, reduce refund abuse, and avoid alienating customers. Being open about the rules makes it easier to manage returns while maintaining shoppers’ trust.

More than half of UK SME owners are now turning to AI tools for business guidance, according to a recent study from the payment processing company Worldpay.

Access to professional advice can be limited or expensive. Worldpay finds that accountants, mentors, and late-night Google searches are being replaced by digital assistants like ChatGPT, which can generate answers, ideas, and even strategies in seconds, at any time.

The old ways have not yet disappeared, however, with 93% of business owners still also relying on trusted tech partners, friends, and family. But AI adoption is steadily rising, especially among younger entrepreneurs.

Isolation may be another factor. Sole traders who work independently often lack colleagues or mentors to lean on, making it easier to fire up a chatbot for quick advice rather than building ‘real-world’ advisory networks.

How SMEs are using AI for advice

The study from Worldpay found that 53% of UK SME owners now regularly turn to AI tools for business advice. 

The trend is strongest among young founders; 60% of business owners aged 25–34 said they use AI tools, like ChatGPT, for support.

Other digital platforms remain popular. YouTube leads the way with 51% of respondents seeking advice there, followed by LinkedIn (41%), and Facebook or Instagram (37%). 

TikTok use is lower overall, with 31% of SME owners using it for business advice. But, among ‘digital native’ entrepreneurs aged 18–24, that figure almost doubles to 60%. 

AI chatbots can be a valuable tool for small business owners. They offer quick answers, support with content creation, help with brainstorming new ideas, and even allow for scenario planning when weighing up important decisions.

But it’s not perfect. While AI is fast and accessible, it’s not always accurate. Bosses should treat AI as a starting point and always cross-check advice against trusted sources or professional guidance – as Jeremy Clarkson found out the hard way.

The isolation of running a business alone

Running a business alone has always come with its challenges, but as remote working and digital reliance increase, that sense of isolation can be even more acute.

For many sole traders, isolation is one of the biggest struggles. Without colleagues or managers to bounce ideas off, decision-making can feel lonely and overwhelming. The appeal of AI is clear. It’s a kind of virtual assistant that provides instant feedback at all hours and helps business owners think through ideas.

AI offers quick, low-cost input that feels like having a permanent “sounding board” on hand. And with rising employment costs causing many SMEs to slow down on hiring, leaning on digital tools for support is understandable.

That said, 93% of business owners still rely on their trusted tech partners, mentors, and networks for advice. Coaches, accountants, and peers play a vital role in guiding SMEs, proving that technology hasn’t replaced human experience and judgment just yet.

Where can business owners go for advice?

Often, the best approach is to build a mix of support that suits your business style and growth stage. Friends, family, and peer communities are always a valuable source of wisdom, particularly in the early days of running a business.

Accountants, software providers, and other trusted service partners can also bring expertise and practical insights that can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Online platforms are also popular and cost-effective. YouTube tutorials, LinkedIn and Facebook groups can provide a wealth of advice often tailored to the challenges of your niche or industry.

Lastly, local business hubs, government-backed initiatives, and online resources such as us here at Startups offer professional, up-to-date guidance on setting up a business.

The government has urged founders to create an online account to track their business rates closely ahead of the April 2026 revaluation which will likely raise bills for businesses.

The Business Rates Valuation Account informs businesses about changes to their rateable value (RV), the figure that determines how much they pay in business rates.

Every three years, the Valuation Office Agency updates the rateable values of all business properties in England and Wales to reflect changes in the property market, and the next revaluation is due to come into effect at the start of April next year.

Also next April, permanent business rates reductions are expected to commence for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with lower rateable values.

What is a Business Rates Valuation Account?

A Business Rates Valuation Account is basically your personal dashboard for business rates. Through this GOV.UK service, you’ll be able to:

• Check and track your property’s current and future rateable value
• Get updates when changes are made
• Appoint an agent to manage your account on your behalf

You can also use your account to challenge your current property valuation if you think it is unfair. However, you must do this by March 31 2026.

For high-street businesses, like pubs, cafés, shops, and hotels, small swings in their property’s RV can make a big difference to monthly budgets. By signing up, you’ll be better prepared to handle changes before they hit your bills.

Why is April 2026 important?

From April 2026, properties across the UK will be reassessed, and updated rateable values will be used to calculate bills. For some businesses, this could mean a reduction in bills. But for others, particularly those in popular or up-and-coming locations, rates may skyrocket. 

Being aware of these changes early gives you a chance to build them into your financial planning and accounting software, rather than being caught off guard.

To put it in perspective, UK commercial property values were already on the rise in 2025. According to CBRE UK, capital values across all sectors increased by 0.3% in April, with offices up 0.3% and rental values climbing by 0.4% to 0.6%. 

Shifts like these directly affect future RVs, which is why it’s important to pay attention to next year’s reassessment.

Will business rates go down in the Budget?

Last year’s Autumn Budget laid the foundations for business rates reform. Changes included the introduction of three new multipliers from the 2026/27 financial year.

Two are aimed at supporting Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure (RHL) properties with an RV under £500,000. The third targets larger properties with an RV above the same threshold.

The changes would ease the burden for small firms by applying low multipliers to RHL firms with smaller cash reserves. Meanwhile bigger properties, such as warehouses, would face a higher multiplier. 

However, part of the plans were blocked by Lords, casting doubt on the plans. With the Autumn Budget on 26 November expected to bring more tax rises, SMEs are waiting for clarity on whether the proposals will materialise.

Social media marketing isn’t as easy as it’s often made out to be. And while it can be fun to create content, it’s always a downer when the post that you spent hours on perfecting doesn’t get the engagement you were hoping for.

Plus, with so many trends popping up on the likes of TikTok and Instagram, it can be difficult to keep up with what kind of content you should be making.

To help you out, we’ve rounded up five of the biggest social media trends small businesses can tap into for this month. 

With autumn here, it’s the perfect time to hop on seasonal trends, have some fun with your content, and get your customers excited for the season and your business.

1. The click and peace

Sound: Fun — Cortisa Star, soma, and venusgrl! (Soma Remix)

Anyone who knows TikTok well enough knows that it’s full of fast, jumpy, and high-energy songs. Right now, the Soma remix of “Fun” has become the soundtrack for a specific type of video on the platform.

The premise of the video is that the person (or people) pretends to cry on camera while the song plays, but then spontaneously winks and pulls the peace sign when the song’s clicking sound comes on.

Popular TikTok brands like Little Moons and P.Louise have jumped on this trend, gaining 15.2K and 462.9K likes, respectively.

There isn’t much reasoning behind this trend, aside from being a little silly. But sometimes, just having a bit of fun on social media can be just the thing to drive engagement and remind audiences why they love following you.

Source: Little Moons (TikTok)

Source: P.Louise (TikTok) (more…)