Overwhelmed: How Red Tape, Rising Costs, and VAT Caps Threaten 5.5 Million Small Businesses

Small Business Owners Are Feeling the Pinch This Election Season

Why the Heat Is On for SMEs

Access to Finance – 1,750 solo entrepreneurs answered a poll, and most of them say borrowing has become a real pain.

VAT Threshold – That pesky little “adherence” line that stops businesses from dipping into tax relief.

Two‑Tier Energy Support – A system that feels more like a ladder than a lifeline.

These echoes from the frontlines show a sector in a bit of a slump.

Energy Crisis: 29.5% Say Enough Isn’t Enough

“The government hasn’t delivered the help we need during this energy crunch,” 29.5% of business owners say.They’re calling for higher taxes on oil and gas companies—because, let’s face it, that cash could swing back into the pockets of small businesses.

Tightening the Rules: 19.7% Want Sharper Scrutiny

Over a quarter of SMEs are now paying up to 40% more each month for energy compared to last year.

19.7% urge stricter regulations for oil and gas firms, hoping that tighter oversight might freeze the rising costs.

Money Matters: 32% Call for More Support

Financial backing: Almost a third of respondents demand a bigger hand from the government.

Grants and funding: More than 40% feel that opportunities to secure business funding and grants are glaringly sparse.

Tax Burden: The Alarming 1%

Less than 1% of respondents admit the government has been on top of the tax pressure faced by small businesses.

The rest think that the weight on their shoulders just keeps getting heavier.

Bottom line: Small business owners are feeling squeezed—whether it’s from higher energy bills, a knotty lending environment, or a feeling that the government’s help just doesn’t add up.

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What’s Next?

These numbers give the next administration a clear playbook:

Pump up the finance flow—work to cut red‑tape and make capital more accessible.

Revisit the VAT umbrella—so businesses can truly feel sheltered.

Regulate the energy beast—logically, smarter plays and improved transparency.

Because when the smallest business feels big, the entire economy knows something is up.

Small business voting intentions revealed

Small Biz Owners Feeling Lost in the Party Maze

In a recent pulse‑check, 38% of small‑business owners say Labour is the party that gets them, 22% favour the Conservatives, and a solid 40% believe neither of the big two truly sticks to their side.

Rock‑solid Party‑Switching Appetite

More than 81% say they’d switch plates if they felt their interests were truly front‑and‑center.
That’s a staggering 4.4 million votes now floating the airwaves.

VAT Threshold: The “Touch‑y” Issue

When the government bumped the VAT threshold by £5,000 in the Spring Budget, most owners shrugged it off as a warm up‑kiss.

63% want that bump rolled out a bit further.
Almost a third (around 25%) think it should hit the sweet spot of £100,000.
And nearly 19% are pushing for a whopping £150,000 at least.

Bottom Line: The Small‑Biz Boom‑Buzzer is Everywhere

It’s clear small‑biz folks aren’t just humming along with the party songs – they’re ready to pick a new tune if someone lets them lead the chorus. The VAT threshold debate proves they’re demanding more than a polite nod. So, candor matters, and the next lap around Parliament might just bring a fresh lineup for those who run the real engines of the UK economy.

Appetite for growth

Small Biz Owners are Calling for Change

Hey, UK business community! If you’re running a small shop or a start‑up, you’ve seen the grind. Our latest survey shows that almost a quarter (24%) of you would gladly grow your business if costs went down. Nearly 19% think they could add new products or services, and 16% would be hiring more staff—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

What This Means for the Economy

Co‑O at Simply Business UK, Bea Montoya, sums it up: “Small businesses are the heart & pulse of our communities. Our research shows they’ll be pivotal for July’s election. Party leaders now have a chance to engage directly with nearly 4.5 million small‑biz owners who are willing to shift their vote if it’s all about their survival.”

Put SMEs at the core of economic plans—solve real challenges.
Appeal not only to the business owners but to their families and employees.
We’re talking about 5.5 million small businesses that power our national stability.

In Short

Small businesses matter. They’re the backbone of our economy, and their influence on the vote is heavy. If a party’s strategy is to reduce running costs, they’re talking directly to the builders of our future.

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