What do we mean by small businesses?

EU definition: Less then 10 employees with an annual turnover/balance sheet that doesn’t exceed 2 million euros

The UK economy and growth in self employment

The challenges of being self-employed

Earning a living

Coping with debt

Cutting back

The personal cost Text

Financial resilience Text

Banking and borrowing Text

Building success Text

How can we all help? Text

Our recommendations For Government •  Improve access to support and information •  Tackle late payers •  Improve access to business credit •  Support with real-time accounting •  Explore new debt solutions for small businesses •  Ensure the business rates system supports struggling businesses •  Improve data on official self-employed statistics

Our recommendations For creditors and utility companies •  Improve access to banking facilities including a basic bank account •  Develop products tailored to micro-businesses •  Pass on energy savings to business as well as domestic customers

For support organisations •  Encourage a support seeking culture