Almost one in five waste disposals in the UK (18%) are done illegally, equating to 34 million tonnes yearly—enough to fill 4 million skips. Illegal waste management—even if you are unaware of your waste disposal company’s improper operations—can result in criminal prosecution and a substantial fine. As England braces for new Simpler Recycling legislation coming at the end of March, there’s a good chance that we could see the levels of waste crime increase as some try to cut corners and avoid compliance. Compliant waste management suppliers need four things: authorisation to carry waste, a transfer note detailing the waste they carry for…
Author: sme-admin
Running a construction business requires more than delivering quality work on site. With rising costs, variable income, and tight margins, maintaining control over your finances is essential to long-term success. Without proper financial oversight, even the busiest firms can find themselves under pressure. Discover practical steps to strengthen your financial position, from budgeting and debt management to reducing waste and looking after essential tools and equipment. With a clearer understanding of your numbers and a more structured approach to spending, you can improve profitability, plan for growth, and build greater resilience into your business. Know Your Numbers Like You Know…
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity presents a range of ethical and moral conundrums. While AI-powered solutions help to prevent and mitigate cyber-attacks and data breaches, they also come with important ethical considerations. Business leaders and cybersecurity professionals find themselves at the forefront of this ethical debate as they look to strike the right balance between IT security, privacy, and fairness. Here, AI consulting experts ramsac explore this crucial trade-off between privacy and AI innovation. Privacy vs Cybersecurity A fine line exists between privacy and security when it comes to AI-driven cybersecurity. While AI tools offer a multitude of benefits…
Amid the headlines on welfare cuts and house building, a key announcement in the Spring Statement went largely unnoticed: a significant clampdown on tax avoidance. Backed by new funding for HMRC and a pledge to increase prosecutions by 20% each year, the government’s message is clear – aggressive enforcement is coming. But how could businesses become so affected? The answer lies in proposals first introduced in 2024 and now under consultation. John Hartley, Partner & Head of Business Crime at Primas Law. discusses the changes that could bring routine tax planning under legal scrutiny and expose even cautious SMEs to criminal…
In the ever-competitive world of hospitality, managing costs effectively can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving. Café owners are feeling the pressure of rising costs across the board – from ingredients and energy bills to staff wages. There are a number of practical and actionable ways to cut down on expenses without sacrificing quality or customer experience. Audit and Analyse Your Current Costs Before you can cut costs, you need to understand where your money is going. Regularly reviewing your profit & loss (P&L) statements helps highlight areas where expenses may be unnecessarily high. Look closely at labour…
Small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK are being given a unique opportunity to give back on a global scale by joining an exclusive club launched by SOS Children’s Villages, the world’s largest charity focused on supporting children and young people who don’t have, or are at risk of losing, parental care. Research shows that more than half (54%) of employees said that working for an employer who supports charities increases their sense of pride in working there. The SOS Children’s Villages SME Club has been created to support businesses looking to make a genuine social impact, offering them the chance to connect…
A quiet revolution is taking place across the accounting profession: record numbers of qualified technical accountants are rejecting traditional employment in favour of establishing their own practices. AAT’s (The Association of Accounting Technicians) licensed accountant population – members qualified to run their own accounting businesses – has grown by 59% over the past seven years*. This includes a remarkable 755% increase in licensed members under 34 years old since 2018, growing from just 119 to 1,018*. Based on current growth trends, AAT projects its licensed accountant membership to exceed 8,000 by 2030. Accounting technicians fulfil vital roles in chartered accountancy…
Targeted development is essential to encourage AI uptake from non-technical employees, says M-Files Despite billions invested in AI solutions worldwide, a major roadblock remains: employees don’t understand how to use these tools effectively. Without proper guidance, businesses risk stalled adoption, wasted investment, and an inability to realise AI’s full potential. This hesitation is hindering AI adoption and limiting its benefits within organisations. Recent research indicates that only 6% of workers feel very comfortable utilising AI in their roles. This stark statistic highlights a significant skills gap that businesses must address. A McKinsey Global Survey found that while 85% of businesses have AI initiatives…
Andrew King is the founder of SGT, a Buckinghamshire-based firm helping businesses across the UK find commercial energy tariffs that meet their needs while keeping costs low. In this article Andrew explores how businesses can cut energy costs while also cutting down their carbon emissions. Let me tell you a story about John, the owner of a mid-sized company, it might save you a load of money, it might not. He felt like he was stuck in a race he never signed up for. On one side, rising energy bills were eating into his profits. On the other, his company’s…
Sarah Carter, Head of Account Management at Onebright shares why effective mental health training is no longer a nice-to-have—but a vital part of any business strategy to foster happier, healthier, and more productive teams. Most businesses now provide some form of mental health training for employees. But do you know what should be included in this training to ensure it is effective and impactful? With an estimated £42 – £45 billion being lost each year due to presenteeism, sickness absence and staff turnover from poor mental health, mental health training can play a crucial role in the wider success, happiness and…