Vitality, the health and life insurer, has today published the ‘Active Women, Healthy Lives: Understanding Barriers to Women’s Participation in Sport’ report into women’s physical activity and health. The report finds that less than 1 in 4 (23%) women are completing the recommended 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week and that 96% of women feel responsible for their own levels of physical activity*. The report suggests that this feeling of responsibility could be misplaced. Given the link between health and productivity, employers have an opportunity to support female employees by stepping in to help improve their health and tackle…
Author: sme-admin
Australia is emerging as a goldmine for UK exporters, particularly in food and beverage, retail, and other high-growth sectors. With a robust bilateral trade relationship, strategic location, and affluent consumer base, the country offers unparalleled opportunities for UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ready to expand internationally. UK food and beverage exports to Australia have more than doubled over the past decade, driven by the market’s demand for premium, sustainable, and innovative products. Whisky remains the leading UK food and beverage export to Australia, reflecting the appetite for quality British products. The Australian grocery market is highly concentrated, with 85% of all food…
New research* shows that some cities across the UK have seen rents increase by 40 per cent or more over the past four years – a rate of more than 10 per cent per annum. (*Zoopla, October 2024). The findings from Zoopla reveal cities such as Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow have seen above-average rent rises over the past four years, as well as areas such as Dorset and Somerset. Glasgow has seen rents rise more than any other UK city in that period, with average rents rising 44.4 per cent. However, a home in the Scottish city is cheaper than…
An artisan gingerbread producer from Grantham has expanded his routes to market and seen online sales for his traditional Grantham Gingerbreads grow by 400% in the past year, using key learnings from the Small Business Charter’s Help to Grow: Management Course. The success of Hawkens Gingerbread, founded by Alastair Hawken, now includes its products being stocked by the likes of Selfridges and the National Trust’s shops, while the company’s efforts have also led to Germans acquiring a taste for quintessentially British gingerbread. Alastair started the business in 2009 after discovering that Grantham Gingerbread – England’s oldest biscuit recipe – had…
By Musab Hemsi, a partner at Anderson Strathern Employment lawyers are well versed in misconduct or grievance investigations at work. We can advise on the beginning, middle and end of the investigatory process and what should be expected for both the employer and employee. So far so good. But one aspect which often escapes lawyers’ critical consideration is – what happens to the parties involved after an investigation is concluded? While being proficient in the investigation process is crucial as an employment lawyer, it is also important to bear in mind the effects of an investigation and how these can…
Recent findings by Tlyfe reveal that the ratio of private tenants to available rental properties is projected to increase to 2.21 by the end of 2024, up from 2.2 in 2023. This subtle shift highlights an increasingly competitive landscape for renters, driven by a growing demand that far outstrips supply. Despite surging tenant demand, 30% of landlords have sold or listed at least one rental property within the last year. A further 17.4% are contemplating similar moves in the coming months, according to the Goodlord and Vouch State of the Lettings Industry Report. In fact, half of all landlords have either…
Quadient , a global automation platform powering secure and sustainable business connections, shares some predictions on the trends expected to disrupt the finance and accounting sector in 2025. Quadient’s predictions include: How more finance teams will go all-in on blockchain How 2025 will see accounting becoming a dying profession if education doesn’t change 2025 will be the year of instant cash flow How AR teams will become a driving force in business decision making 2025 will see open banking redefining payments More finance teams will go all-in on blockchain Sarah-Jayne Martin, Director of Financial Automation at Quadient “In 2025 more…
Research from ramsac, a leading cybersecurity support firm, has found that over 30% of UK adults couldn’t pass a cybersecurity test for 11-year-olds. By posing five simple questions that are part of the UK’s 11-14-year-olds curriculum, it was found that only 68% of responders answered all five correctly. ramsac asked those visiting their website to answer the following five multiple choice questions: Which of the following helps to safeguard against phishing? What is malware? If you left your phone with work information in a public place, what should you do? Outside your workplace, you find a USB stick, what would you…
New data from digital transformation consultancy Daemon reveals that while discounts are still a primary motivator for shoppers, willingness to share certain information and the changing retail landscape is reshaping consumer loyalty. Across generations, discounts are a common theme. 61% of GenZ, 67% of Millennials, and 65% of Baby Boomers say special discounts are the top reason that would keep them shopping with a retailer. Despite this, there are varying degrees of willingness to share personal information in exchange for these benefits. Over half – 58% – would provide their email address to receive a 25% discount on their next…
The annual Scottish Widows women and retirement report was recently released. The report highlights some shocking stats, including how only 56% of women are on track to receive retirement income from a private pension, compared to 68% of men – and fewer (49%) women are on track for retirement income from long term savings than men (61%). In light of this Paul Leandro, Partner at independent consultancy, Barnett Waddingham, shares five things employers can consider to close the gender pensions gap and four things policy makers should do. Paul commented, “The pension system that we use is outdated. Despite being…