Customers in the UK are happier than they were a year ago but their focus has changed and issues such as competence and staff behaviour have become more important.

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a market study into legal services in England and Wales to see if they are working well for small businesses and consumers.

The number of consumers that prefer to shop in independent retailers is increasing, according to new research.

When it comes to compulsory workplace pensions, new research has found that many small businesses are still unclear what they need to do, when they need to do it and how much it will cost.

Managers are working longer than ever and suffering rising levels of stress according to the latest Quality of Working Life study from the Chartered Management Institute.

Our round-up of other small business stories making the headlines this week...

HMRC is warning taxpayers to be especially vigilant against scam emails this month in the run-up to the self-assessment deadline.

New research has found that over a quarter of workers admit they have made specific decisions about their careers in order to avoid dealing with workplace fears.

Plans to introduce quarterly tax returns could be debated in Parliament as an online petition against the proposals has attracted more than 100,000 signatures.