Research England’s announcement of a £9.7 million investment in the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) over the next four years signals a significant opportunity for businesses seeking innovation funding and partnerships. This funding commitment represents more than just financial support—it’s a clear indication that university-business collaboration is now recognised as a critical driver … Read more
Introduction According to the 2025 BSI Net Zero Barometer there is a clear disparity between SMEs and larger businesses in the UK when it comes to confidence in terms of defining and meeting net zero goals. Around 93% of large businesses surveyed stated that they were confident that they could meet a net zero emissions … Read more
The UK farming landscape is changing fast, and staying ahead of the curve means embracing innovation. That’s why the latest news from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Innovate UK is so significant for farmers and growers. A new £12.6 million in grant funding has been announced, specifically designed to turn … Read more
Introduction According to a report from Startups.co.uk on SME Statistics for 2025 that looks into key start-up sector trends, a total of 89,515 new business ventures were formed in the UK in Q1 2025. These official statistics taken from the Office for National Statistics represents an increase of 2.8% in new business start-ups when compared … Read more
Introduction The Federation of Small Business has released its latest Small Business Index collating the sentiment of UK small businesses from the first quarter of 2025. According to the businesses surveyed in Q1 of 2025, 47.8% projected that they will grow over the next 12 months, this is up from 43.4% in Q4 of 2024. … Read more
The Government has announced that its plug-in van and truck grants will be extended until at least 2027, giving UK businesses more certainty when planning the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The scheme offers up to £2,500 off small vans, £5,000 off large vans, and between £16,000 and £25,000 off electric trucks, helping to reduce … Read more
Introduction The UK Government has recently released its Technology Adoption Review for 2025 that assesses the barriers for UK businesses in their ability to adopt transformative technologies that can enhance innovation and growth activities across key British sectors. Some of the key barriers to adopting technology for businesses cited in the report as part of … Read more
Introduction According to the July 2025 Trade Confidence Outlook by the British Chambers of Commerce Insights Unit, 24% of UK SME exporters reported an increase in export sales in Q2 of 2025, 26% experienced a decrease and 50% reported no change to trading conditions. This signifies significantly worse export trading sentiment for SMEs when compared with … Read more
Introduction According to a June 2025 Business Trends report from BDO, it has been revealed that the UK employment market is currently stagnating at a 13-year low. The Employment Index fell again in June 2025 to 94.22 from 94.32 the previous month. What this means in real terms is that hiring activity remains subdued across … Read more
The UK government has announced a new £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, and it marks a significant shift in how innovation is supported across the country. Instead of a blanket approach, this fund is designed to put power directly into the hands of local leaders, empowering them to invest in their region’s unique strengths … Read more