Small businesses – already experiencing issues over obtaining loans – need support with access to finance ahead of a possible lending squeeze, claims a report. Only two-fifths of requests for credit are currently successful at an all-time low, according to Small Business Index data compiled by the Federation of Small
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Staffordshire County Council is voicing concerns about the role taxpayers are playing in helping to foot the rising bill for Adult Social Care. The council has set aside around two-thirds of next year’s anticipated £587 million net budget for the provision of social care for the elderly and for supporting
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Businesses are experiencing no signs of recovery while confidence and profit expectation has stabilised at “worryingly low levels”, according to a report published today. The British Chambers of Commerce’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey looked at the fourth quarter of 2022 with the research taking place between November 7 and November
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A Staffordshire businessman said today it would be “disappointing and frustrating” if the Government drastically reduces its energy bills support for SMEs. Reports are circulating that the subsidy for the non-domestic sector is to become less generous for all except heavy users, with an announcement expected next week. John Tudor,
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A student is helping to train aircraft pilots thanks to a scheme linking Staffordshire University with SMEs. Games Development student Harry Reader created a virtual reality (VR) training experience for the A320 Airbus using the Unreal Engine computer programme during a placement at Longton-based training company V-Prep. He is now
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Businesses have until February 2 to take advantage of the Government’s Help to Grow: Digital scheme. The scheme is being phased out after that date because of low uptake, but there’s still time to make a late application. The Help to Grow: Digital programme is designed to give support and
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Welcome to the full launch of Daily Focus, an exciting business news service for Staffordshire delivered to tens of thousands of inboxes every weekday morning.
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Leading loss assessors Oakleafe Claims has launched a new podcast exploring the complex world of insurance claims. ‘The Claim Game’, hosted by Oakleafe Claims co-owner Dean Goodwin, has just aired its first episode featuring Grant Williams, who heads up the Midlands claims team for Oakleafe based within Staffordshire. Grant said:
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Stoke-on-Trent’s economy is set to be the second fastest growing in terms of job creation when the UK emerges from recession, a new study has found. The report by law firm Irwin Mitchell, which estimates that the UK entered into a recession in the second half of 2022, expects economic
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Plans to regenerate part of a town centre and create new shop and office developments are moving forward. The proposals for York Place, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, involve two new four-storey buildings with food and drink outlets, or retail use, on the ground floor with office units above. More than £3 million
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