Yesterday, the British Business Bank released its latest Small Business Finance Markets Report – a comprehensive assessment of finance markets for smaller businesses.

The report finds evidence that the current period of uncertainty is pushing small businesses to use external finance to put in place contingency plans, or reduce finance requirements as they delay longer-term investment and expansion decisions.

Although 56% of SMEs don’t expect the UK leaving the EU will impact the growth of their business, the number expecting it to have a negative impact has risen to 29% from 22% in 2017. Just 5% expect their business to grow more because of it.

And just 36% of smaller businesses now use external finance compared to 44% in 2012, with over 7 in 10 firms saying they would rather forgo growth than take on external finance. However, equity finance, asset finance and marketplace lending have grown by 4%, 3% and 18% respectively, and awareness of alternatives to traditional finance has continued to grow, with 52% of small businesses aware of peer-to-peer lending, 70% aware of crowdfunding platforms and 69% aware of Venture Capital (up from 47%, 60% and 62% respectively in the previous year).

For those still looking to learn more about finance options, our friends at Intelligent Partnership have just released a NIFTY guide which might be useful.

You’ve got mail
The Daily Mail has got in touch as they’re looking for case studies to coincide with the Budget. They are particularly keen to speak with entrepreneurs who could be affected if Entrepreneurs’ Relief was to be cut. You would need to be willing to chat to them and be photographed. Just let me know if you’re game, and I’ll connect you to the journalist.

Expanding horizons
The government is creating a Regulatory Horizons Council – a new expert committee that will advise the government on emerging technologies and the regulatory reform needed to support their introduction.

They are looking for experts in health and life sciences; digital, data and cyber; engineering and energy; innovative business models; and citizens and the environment. It’s 1-2 days per month (£380 per day) and the application deadline is 23rd March.

I think it’s vital that these sorts of roles are filled by our very best and brightest talent, which is why they should probably pay a bit more. But hopefully civic duty is enough to attract the right people. Please share widely. Find out more.