The UK's service sector is outperforming the manufacturing industry at home but it has yet to take full advantage of overseas opportunities according to analysis by the British Chambers of Commerce.

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

The majority of UK micro-business owners rely on regular help from friends and family, much of it unpaid, according to new research.

More than half of the UK's small firms have been adversely affected by slow broadband and yet two-thirds say they plan to become "more digital" over the next five years.

New figures from the Bank of England show that overall business lending fell sharply in June, although loans to SMEs increased slightly.

Most small businesses still don't fully understand their energy bills and many are paying too much because of roll-over contracts and auto-renewal, according to new research.

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

Finding talent is as big a concern for UK business leaders as increasing turnover, according to a new survey published by management consulting firm Clarus Consulting.

According to Forum of Private Business (FPB) research, the UK's 1.2m micro and small and medium-sized businesses are having to pay £20bn in compliance costs – an increase of 8.4% on 2013, which averages out to £14,900 per business.

Published as part of the second annual FedEx Great British Export Report 2015, research suggests British SME export activity is helping to reduce the UK's overall trade deficit, which still stands at about £2.8bn.