UK business start-ups grow by 28%
The number of new business start-ups has grown by 28% across the UK over the past year, according to Companies House data. And analysis by Instant Offices reveals that the rise is being driven by regional cities, especially in the Midlands and the North. Nottingham shows the highest concentration of new business registrations with 68% more companies started there in 2014/5 compared to the previous financial year. London experienced some of the smallest proportional growth across the UK at 21%.
The rise of online discount vouchers
Whereas only 3% of people used the keyword "voucher" when searching online in 2005, this has risen to 47% in 2015, as this type of discount has become mainstream for consumers. Research by Voucher Cloud also found that "discount" (54%) and "voucher" (30%) are the most common search terms now used by British bargain-hunters. The most popular items bought using vouchers and promotional codes are luxury items such as TVs and holidays, as well as fashion purchases and eating out.
UK facing digital skills crisis
A new Digital Exclusion heatmap created by the charity Go ON has highlighted the lack of digital skills in different parts of the UK. It has found that 23% of people in the UK do not have five "basic digital skills". The highest levels of basic digital skills are found in Greater London (84%), Scotland and East Anglia (both 81%). In Wales, where internet access is at its lowest, only 62% of adults having basic digital skills. Rachel Neaman, Go ON UK ceo, said: "The UK is experiencing a digital skills crisis. 12.6 million adults, 1.2 million small businesses, and over half of all charities lack the basic digital skills needed to succeed in today's digital age."
FSB calls for more data on cyber crime against businesses
The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) includes cyber crime for the first time. However, the data does not include cyber crime against businesses. John Allan, national chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: "Cyber crime and fraud are serious threats to small businesses as well as households. We are disappointed that the new statistics only focus on households rather than businesses, and so do not reveal the economic impact. We urge the ONS to rectify this, so that policymakers have an accurate picture and can then take the right policy actions."