Business news and opinion from Evans Weir

A business loan can be a useful tool for SMEs, offering access to capital which can help with growth, stability and resilience. Loans can facilitate investment in new locations, staff or equipment, as well as helping smooth cash flow and build business credit. When managed well, interest on a business loan can be more affordable […]

In a bid to help boost the economy the Government has revealed details of its Small Business Plan. The consultation, which aims to back SMEs and support growth, has been designed to help deliver £320 billion into the UK economy by 2030. So what’s been announced, and how will the plans support SMEs? Employer National […]

HMRC has announced that it is abandoning its plans for Making Tax Digital for Corporation Tax (MTD for CT). The news came in the tax authority’s recent Transformation Roadmap. The focus is now on ensuring that any future administration of CT is well suited “to the varying needs of the diverse CT population”. Clearly the […]

The news that the Government planned to tighten up the rules around Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) was met with dismay when it was announced in last year’s Autumn Budget. The plans would mean only up to £1 million of qualifying agricultural or business assets could be passed on at the […]

If you’re running an SME much of your time will be taken up with decisions about how to run a successful and profitable business. But what about your exit strategy? What do you want to happen to your business when you choose to leave, retire or exit for other reasons? A good business exit strategy […]

Offering competitive employee benefits is crucial for SMEs, especially to attract and retain talent. But this can be tricky when budgets are tighter than in large companies. The most effective benefits strike a balance between affordability for the business and strong perceived value for employees. So which are best to consider, and do any offer […]

Setting up a business partnership can be an exciting time. Working with other professionals can offer additional skills, and the ability to steer your company successfully with insight, support and guidance from others. There is no legal requirement to have a written partnership agreement in the UK, but they can be a very helpful tool. […]

Adopting sustainable practices is now an important business exercise for many SMEs. But is there a need to ensure environmental systems are correctly reported on? And how should this be done? Sustainability is now a much more typical part of company operations. A few years ago offering insight into the impact of a company’s sustainable […]

If you’re thinking of selling your business, one of the key questions you may ask is what tax I will pay on the money I receive? It’s a fair question too. Afterall, if you’ve been building the business for many years, you’ll want to ensure you see maximum benefit from the risk and hard work you’ve undoubtedly had to put into it.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is the minimum amount which employers must pay employees when they’re off work due to illness. But what are the current rules? And are changes afoot? Who qualifies for SSP?Under the current rules, any employee is eligible for SSP if they: How much is SSP?From April 2025, the rate is £118.75 […]

Running your own business, or being self-employed, offers a chance to conduct your working life on your terms. Yet there are numerous situations which you need to consider, including planning for retirement. So how should you plan for the years ahead? Working for yourself can offer significant benefits but there is uncertainty too. Financial benefits […]

Offering a staff training budget is an important strategic decision, helping attract and retain employees. Some staff training budgets can be tax exempt in certain conditions too. One of the trickiest issues when running an SME is ensuring you recruit and retain a solid team. Offering opportunities for staff training and professional development can be […]