Tag Archive for Running a business

Hot Business News Today

What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

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By Tim Adler on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

UPDATE: The date for Extended Producer Responsibility is coming up for larger firms, but it might be time for you to get preparations in place as a small business, too.

Big businesses will be financially responsible for recycling their packaging from October 1, 2025. As a small business, you may well have registration and reporting responsibilities, too – read on to find out more.

What is Extended Producer Responsibility?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is UK legislation that will replace current packaging waste regulations with a phased implementation. The plan is for full implementation by 2027.

It is an environmental policy that requires producers to pay the full costs of dealing with the waste they produce from when it is placed onto the market, through to the end of its life.

The idea behind Extended Producer Responsibility is to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Under EPR proposals, packaging producers will be responsible for the entire cost of recycling packaging, including the cost of collection, treatment, and recycling.

Research has shown that implementing Extended Producer Responsibility increased the percentage of paper and packaging being recycled to over 75 per cent

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Hot Business News Today

How to spot firms falsely offering a ‘legal alternative to using insolvency practitioners’

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By Julie Palmer on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

In its latest report, the Insolvency Service has warned of firms falsely offering a ‘legal alternative to using insolvency practitioners’, misleading directors and losing millions of pounds of assets in the process.

But how can small business leaders protect themselves against these firms when the stresses of business distress are leaving them vulnerable?

In recent years, we have seen a growing number of firms offering insolvency services they are not qualified to deliver, or making promises they cannot legally keep.

The Insolvency Service has acknowledged this issue by closing several such firms, and dedicating part of its annual report to showing how it is tightening its grip on them.

It is evident that these unlicensed firms are viewing the stressful experience of winding down a business as an opportunity. Many owners are seeking a way out and anyone offering a simple, quick and seemingly inexpensive solution will no doubt be welcome.

Yet, it is these promises that the Insolvency Service is warning against.

Challenging the firms themselves

A number of unlicensed corporate rescue firms have been identified as falsely claiming they can provide ‘a legal alternative to using insolvency practitioners’, misleading

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Hot Business News Today

Why targeted AI is a business game changer

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By Jonathan Dowden on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

For small business owners, smart use of technology drives performance and growth. This has been true since the invention of the personal computer back in the late 1970s, and it’s no different today.

You’ve undoubtedly heard about recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) and how they promise significant time savings, greater accuracy, and a superior work-life balance.

Interested in applying it to what you do?

Before you dive in, it’s crucial to approach AI thoughtfully and with a considered approach. Adopting AI just because it’s trending could become a time sink and, even worse, might not actually bring tangible benefits.

The true improvements come from strategically applying AI to targeted areas of your business, aligning technology with clear, specific goals.

Here’s where to start.

Accessible AI for small businesses

Integrating AI might seem daunting if you’re running a business with limited resources. It’s easy to think that AI is only for larger concerns.

However, AI’s accessibility today has made it far easier for small businesses to adopt than ever before – and in fact, it’s with small businesses where it can prove most effective.

For example, Sage Copilot found within Sage Accounting

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Hot Business News Today

The true role of a liquidator – what every small business owner needs to know

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By Jonathan Cooper on Small Business UK – Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

Key takeaways

Small businesses often turn to a liquidator without a full picture of what they do.

A liquidator works on behalf of a company’s creditors rather than the company itself.

You should understand your current financial position and potential liabilities before speaking to a liquidator.

Liquidators are heavily regulated, there are public records of any fines or sanctions available to view.

Contact your accountant, Business Debtline or a company director specialist for independent guidance before deciding on a liquidator.

The emotional toll of closing a business

As many small business owners will know from experience, running a company can be a lonely and stressful journey – especially when financial difficulties arise.

Directors often pour their heart and soul into their business, so when the times comes to make the difficult decision to close their company, the emotional toll can be overwhelming. Stress, uncertainty, and a desperate search for solutions, can quickly take hold, clouding their decision-making.

It’s in that moment that many business owners turn to a liquidator to act on their behalf. But this is where a critical misunderstanding can sometimes arise and one that can have serious personal consequences.

The truth

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