Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Royal Mail launches £1m apprenticeship levy fund for small businesses
Drapers
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July 2, 2025
The research, which showed that 25% of businesses are challenged in recruiting skilled workers, has been published in a report today (2 July). Titled "Small businesses: delivering growth for Britain", the report is the result of a survey of "more...
UK government ‘closely watching’ £120m legal claim against Vodafone
The Guardian
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July 4, 2025
Ministers are closely watching a court case in which Vodafone is alleged to have “unjustly enriched” itself at the expense of franchise operators, and have raised the prospect of a regulatory crackdown on the sector. The small business minister,...
5-star campsite near Edinburgh named best in Scotland
Edinburgh Evening News
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July 5, 2025
A five-star campsite near Edinburgh has been named the best in the Scotland at this year’s Scottish Hospitality Awards. Drummohr Camping and Glamping Site in Musselburgh was awarded Camping Site of The Year at the black-tie event held in Glasgow...
What if… you rediscovered your high street this July? Chichester BID launches 2025 ‘Proudly Chichester, Proudly Independent’ campaign for Independents Month
Sussex World
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July 8, 2025
The campaign was launched at the city’s historic Market Cross on Thursday 3 July, where independent business owners gathered for a group photocall. This was followed by a relaxed networking morning hosted at The Ghost at the Feast on North Street....
Why offering more ways to pay can help small businesses stay competitive
IBS Intelligence
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Today AI B2B SMEs Digital Banking Kate Hayward, UK Managing Director, Xero By Kate Hayward, UK Managing Director, Xero Small businesses today need to think carefully about how their customers want to pay. It’s not just about cards or cash anymore....
Dangerous mines: A death at the bottom of the EV supply chain
Rest of World
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July 8, 2025
Darlington Vivito told his parents goodbye on a chilly, drizzly evening in March 2023. He put on warm clothes, preparing for the night ahead. The 22-year-old left the family’s small homestead in Bikita, a rural district in southeastern Zimbabwe,...
What our cicada visitors can tell us about the environment — and ourselves
Courier-Journal - Kentucky
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Periodical cicadas, Brood XIV, emerge in parts of the eastern U.S. every 17 years. Scientists study cicadas to understand their unique life cycle, timekeeping abilities, and response to climate change. Cicadas impact the ecosystem and human...
Helping local employers build the skilled workforce of tomorrow
BusinessLive
·
July 8, 2025
Finding skilled, reliable team members is an ongoing challenge for employers in construction, building services, automotive, and accountancy. That’s why more and more businesses are turning to apprenticeships - not just as a recruitment tool, but...
COSBOA disappointed over FWO’s inaction towards ‘small business’ definition
Inside Small Business
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July 2, 2025
The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) has expressed its disappointment with the Fair Work Ombudsman’s (FWO) review into the definition of a ‘small business employer’, stating that meaningful change has not been...
Royal Mail unveils £1 million fund to support apprenticeships in small businesses
Business Matters
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July 2, 2025
The initiative, announced alongside the publication of a new report by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Royal Mail, follows in-depth research which found that a quarter of small firms are struggling to recruit skilled workers — a major...
Confidence low among Yorkshire and Humber firms, two surveys say
BusinessLive
·
July 8, 2025
Two business surveys in the Yorkshire and Humber area have pointed to a mixed picture for the region’s economy. The quarterly survey from the Hull and Hull Chamber of Commerce showed continuing low business confidence, with cashflow taking a hit...
MIT Live unveils major partners for flagship event
Mortgage Finance Gazette
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July 8, 2025
Mortgage Innovation & Technology Live (MIT Live), the new flagship event powered by Mortgage Strategy, can confirm support from some of the biggest names in the industry. Strategic partners for the event on 9 December in Central London so far...
Royal Mail launches £1m apprenticeship levy gifting fund to support growth for small businesses
Logistics Manager
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July 2, 2025
Royal Mail has today [2 July 2025] launched a £1 million small business apprenticeship levy gifting fund, aimed at helping smaller businesses to grow. The apprenticeship levy is a UK government initiative introduced in April 2017 to help fund...
Former Midlands newspaper editor turned media consultant to champion businesses as the new president of Royal Sutton Coldfield Chamber of Commerce
Express & Star
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July 8, 2025
Gary Phelps, who grew up in the town and went on to become editor of the Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer, was named as the Chamber’s new president at the AGM at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa on July 7. From left – Shaun Cremins, Gary Phelps, Kate Curry...
Finance advisers say government policy 'unsupportive' of small businesses
BusinessLive
·
July 2, 2025
Financial advisers have expressed concerns over the lack of governmental support for small businesses as they grapple with economic pressures. A survey conducted by alternative lender Thincats revealed that over half of the advisers deemed...
Shop ABC Gift Card launches scheme to support local businesses
Ulster Gazette & Armagh Standart
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July 2, 2025
A BRAND-new gift card, exclusively for the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, went live on Tuesday, 1 July, making it easier than ever for people to support local businesses. Backed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough...
Shipston mum's goal to provide bereaved parents with free keepsake kits
Leamington Observer
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A MUM-of-two from Shipston aims to expand her baby keepsake business to help bereaved parents. Emma Bishop and her husband Michael recently started selling copies of a baby hand and footprint book which Emma designed and self-published. And now...
Illegal tobacco and vapes seized in Powys stores in multi-agency operation
Shropshire Star
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July 8, 2025
The operation, which targeted stores in Brecon, Llanymynech, Newtown and Welshpool, took place on Wednesday, July 2. Sophisticated hides were found in three of the stores, some of them operated by hidden electromagnets. Each hide was found to...
New Industrial Strategy must spark growth and opportunity for small businesses
SME Today
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July 2, 2025
The UK’s new Industrial Strategy, launched in June 2025, is a 10-year plan to boost business investment and drive growth in key sectors. It focuses on making it easier and quicker for businesses to invest, providing stability for long-term...
Goldstar Air’s 24-hour Cargo services to drive Ghana’s trade...
Modern Ghana
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Unique private international airline Goldstar Air, Ghanaian and United States-registered company with an issued Air Carrier Licence (ACL/N-SCH No 0239) from the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to operate passenger and cargo flights across...