India-UK trade boost: PM Modi says CETA and the UK-India social security pact are now in force, promising fresh momentum for farmers, entrepreneurs and MSMEs and deeper links in tech, services and innovation. Retail crime crackdown: A prolific offender has been banned from major shops including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s under a Criminal Behaviour Order, raising pressure on town-centre disorder that SMEs rely on. SME finance spotlight: Funding Circle reports H1 results with revenues up 50% to about £138m and profits up sharply, plus £1.7bn credit extended, signalling continued demand for SME lending. CBAM compliance for importers: From 1 Jan 2027, businesses importing carbon-intensive goods must keep records for six years, with HMRC warning that outsourcing doesn’t remove responsibility. Regulator scrutiny on social platforms: Ofcom investigates TikTok’s age checks, questioning whether its “age inference” is effective enough to protect children. Local business growth signals: A new Ayr independent bookshop has been named a finalist in the UK Small Business Awards, while Scotland’s small firms report flat summer growth expectations amid high costs. AI adoption push: A Buckinghamshire manufacturer has been invited to Number 10 to discuss how SMEs can use AI to cut repetitive work and improve customer experience. Tax reporting simplification: HMRC proposals would let EMI option grants be reported via the annual return rather than separate notifications, easing a compliance burden for growing SMEs.