Small Businesses Back Small Business Bill

A new survey has shown Axis for Business that small businesses almost unequivocally back the Small Business Bill currently making its way through Parliament.

Government Plays an Inherent Role in Helping Small Businesses Make a Profit

Through providing competitively priced energy and telecoms services to small businesses throughout the UK, Axis for Business strives to help SME’s save money on their bottom line.

As such, we inherently understand the role of government in doing so, as they can provide legal frameworks to promote a more lucrative economy for small businesses to trade in. That is why it comes as no surprise that SME’s are backing the new Small Business Bill currently making its way through Parliament.

95% of SME’s “Emphatically Back the Proposals.”

According to Growth Business, a Key Capital Partners poll of 100 UK SME’s has shown that they almost universally back the Small Business Bill. Specifically, 80% believe the bill will provide greater access to funding. Meanwhile, 95% stated that they “emphatically back the proposals.”

First introduced in June, the Bill is designed to provide SME’s with greater access to the finance they need to expand. It is specifically tailored to do this by building out the availability – in particular the sources – of investment for small businesses.

The Small Business Bill is a Step in the Right Direction

A partner at the firm who conducted the research, Peter Armitage, spoke out on its results and why the bill needs to go ahead. Armitage argued that “SMEs have often struggled with accessing the finance necessary to maximise growth, and up to this point they have received little in the way of assistance from the government.

“However, our results show that the measures in the Small Business Bill are a step in the right direction. With the government now standing firmly behind SMEs, growth continues to be talking point for many businesses.”

Helping Small Businesses Lift Their Bottom Lines

Armitage makes a valid point. The Bill is certainly a step in the right direction and its obvious why SME’s are backing it. It will provide greater access to funds small businesses need to expand, and lift their bottom lines. 

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UK Small Business Sector Responsible for 1.9 Million New Jobs in 2014

 This week, Axis for Business explores the news that the UK small business sector is responsible for 1.9 million new jobs in 2014 and what this means for the sector going forward.

Axis for Business Aims to bring you the Small Business News You Need to Know

In our role as a supplier of low cost energy and telecoms, Axis for Business aims to provide our customers with a first rate quality service. That’s why on this blog, we bring you the latest news that you need to know as a small business owner.

Which is why this week, we had to bring to your attention an article that recently featured on SME Web. The article suggested that in 2014, the small business sector will be responsible for the creation of a millions of jobs throughout the UK.

A New Survey by Direct Line for Business

According to new research conducted by Direct Line for Business, small and micro firms in the UK are planning to hire 1.9 million extra staff by the end of this year. This research also found that 400,000 home-based operations are looking to hire their first ever employee.

Furthermore, the research revealed that employees joining small and micro companies in 2014 are slated to work on average, a 28 hour week, whilst those joining a home-based company as their first member of staff, should expect to work a 21 hour week. Meanwhile, the study also discovered that average wages for the former will be £14,405 per year, whilst average wages for the latter will start at £10,795 per year.

What Does This Mean for You as A Small Business Owner?

So what does this mean for you as a small business owner? Essentially, not only will it benefit the national economy, but it will inject £27 billion worth of wages into that economy, generating significant capital for the UK going forward.

That capital will generate opportunities for you to grow as a business, which will boost your bottom line. The fact that it’s small businesses driving this growth, also shows Axis for Business the strength of small business market right now. This strength should continue to provide benefits for your profit margins as we enter the second half of this decade. 

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Over Four in Five Small Business Believe They Will Not Be Targeted By Cyber Fraud

Axis for Business has learned that a recent report has found that more than four in five small business believe they will not be targeted by cyber fraud.

Axis for Business, the Low Cost Energy and Telecoms Provider

Axis for Business is a low cost energy and telecoms provider, who seek to help our customers by offering simple, honest and clear pricing. We have managed to continue to stay competitive and help you save money, because we put our customers first.

The whole reason we set up the Axis for Business blog was to keep you informed of the latest news, research and economic developments that could help you save money. That’s why we had to bring this to your attention.

One in Eight Businesses Victims of Cyber Fraud Every Year

Fraud is where somebody deceives you in order to benefit; financially or personally. Cyber fraud is an extension of that; where criminals use the internet to deceive you, usually into parting with money.

In the modern age, it’s a commonly held truth that a vast majority of companies use the internet; just last week, we blogged about how many businesses in this country need faster broadband. Furthermore, cyber fraud hits one in eight businesses in this country every year; a total cost of £20 billion.

You Aren’t Too Small, You Do Have Something worth Stealing

So cyber fraud is a serious threat to the stability of your business; yet you’d be surprised just how many companies in this country do not believe it is a threat that could affect them.

According to This is Money, a recent study conducted by Kaspersky Lab found that 82% of the UK’s 4.9 million small and medium sized companies do not believe they could be subject to a cyber-attack. Why? They believe they are either too small, or don’t have anything worth stealing.

The IT Equivalent of Remembering to lock all the Doors

This is Money spoke to Kaspersky Lab’s managing director, Kirill Slavin on the issue. Slavin said: While it is encouraging to see the extent to which micro firms are embracing the latest technologies, this must go hand-in-hand with a strong approach to internet security.

“Micro firms don’t have to become IT security experts. Most of the time it’s the IT equivalent of remembering to lock all the doors and windows when you go out, make sure you have some additional protection and not to leave valuables where others can easily see and get to them.”

Axis for Business suggests you follow this advice to protect your bottom line. The numbers here speak for themselves. You are at risk of cyber fraud, you do have something worth stealing, and it will cost you money. Don’t let it.

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