London needs a Mayor with policies and personality

Tomorrow Londoners will vote in a hotly contested Mayoral election.

A new way for independent brokers to do business

At Simply Business we believe in technology. Contrary to many insurance organisations we see technology as an enabler and embrace open source tools & agile development techniques to drive our success. Our forward-thinking approach has helped us become the UK’s largest online business insurance broker, and we want to keep challenging the industry with exciting new technology options.

Pasty tax leaves a bitter taste for business

On hearing the news that hot food from bakeries or supermarkets will lose its VAT exemption, pasty enthusiasts’ jaws collectively hit the floor. Some claimed that they could hear the death knell for Cornwall’s most beloved export ringing in the distance – but that low rumbling might just have been the sound of the Westminster establishment running to a photo opportunity outside the nearest branch of Greggs.

Budget 2012: Government yet to deliver plan for growth

The British economy is in precarious straits. Pervasive uncertainty has whittled away business confidence, and there is a continued sense that dark economic clouds are gathering.

We're looking for you!

There are currently lots of fantastic opportunities in our Outbound Sales and Customer Response Teams at our Contact Centre in Northampton, from entry level up to Team Manager roles. Come and see for yourself what an amazing place this is to work at our Recruitment Open Day on Tuesday 13th March, from 10 am to 7 pm.

Government must clarify workfare

The government’s ‘workfare’ scheme has come in for severe criticism in recent days.

The scheme, under which those in receipt of certain benefits are required to take on unpaid work, has been in development for some time. But this week campaigners saw a slew of new workfare listings on the Jobcentre Plus site – and the press began to take notice.

Time for government to show its teeth on lending

This week it was announced that the five biggest UK banks missed have their small business lending targets - yet again.

Under Project Merlin, last year’s much-vaunted banking agreement, HSBC, Lloyds, RBS, and Santander were all expected to make it easier for small firms to secure credit – and yet lending to small firms fell during every quarter of 2011.

Time to talk up Britain's entrepreneurs

The UK is in the midst of an unemployment crisis. Official figures released today suggest that 8.5 per cent of the population is out of work – the highest proportion for a decade and a half. The number of people underemployed or precariously employed is even higher.
At such a pivotal moment in our country’s economic history, we need clear thinking and positive action. That’s why Simply Business was disappointed to read yesterday’s report on self-employment from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development.

Our response on the Autumn Statement

The UK is in dangerous economic straits. The deepening crisis in the euro area, and significant homegrown problems, have conspired to create an uncertain medium-term future for Britain.

Small businesses will be the driving force behind any economic recovery, and today’s Autumn Statement was an important opportunity for the government to assuage some of the concerns held by those firms. But, while the Chancellor announced a handful of reasonable new measures to help small businesses, the speech was worryingly light on substance.

Tory Conference is missed opportunity for small business support

The Conservative Party Conference gave the Prime Minister the perfect opportunity to act for business – but it was left to the Chancellor to come up with the ideas.

Small businesses in the UK face a unique and troubling set of challenges. With the economy on the rocks, and ever more ominous rumblings coming from Europe, business owners are understandably nervous.