More than half of business owners aren't confident that the Energy Bill Relief Scheme will provide enough long-term support as new PM Rishi Sunak is under pressure to do more to help small businesses.
Retail sales fell in September and experts are warning that consumer spending could drop by as much as £4 billion in the run-up to Christmas compared to last year.
Business groups have delivered their verdict on today's emergency statement by new chancellor Jeremy Hunt, as the British Chambers of Commerce describes it as "a plan for today with nothing for tomorrow".
As the latest ONS data shows there are currently more job vacancies than people looking for work, the British Chambers of Commerce says the government must "get serious about jobs" as small firms continue to struggle to recruit.
HM Revenue and Customs is reminding businesses that from Tuesday 1 November, they will no longer be able to use their existing VAT online account to submit VAT returns.
The government has announced that more businesses are to be categorised as SMEs, releasing thousands of UK firms from some reporting requirements as well as future regulations.
