SMEs
Small and medium-sized businesses account for 99.9% of private sector companies and provide 60% of private sector jobs. These enterprises have an important role to play in driving growth, opening new markets and creating jobs
Small and medium-sized businesses are the life-blood of the UK’s economy, but face specific challenges. The CBI is committed to developing robust policy in areas such as access to finance, exports and regulation to ensure that small businesses can reach their growth potential and become the medium-sized businesses of tomorrow.
Medium-sized businesses are often overlooked by policy makers. Data on them is scarce and policy is rarely targeted to their needs. We need to do more to recognise these "future champions" of the British economy and do what we can to let them fulfil their potential, which could inject a possible £20 billion into the economy by 2020.
M-Clubs
Where mid-sized businesses can meet to learn and share expertise
News
The latest on the CBI's work with small and medium-sized businesses
Meet the team
The experts who represent the CBI on matters relating to its SME members
Access to finance
There are many alternative sources of finance for small and medium-sized firms
Exporting
Businesses are 11% more likely to survive if they export their product overseas
Procurement
Many small businesses are able to provide public bodies with innovative solutions
Regulation
Complying with regulation puts a disproportionate burden on SMEs
Skills
Investment in the UK’s workforce is an essential part of a plan for long-term growth
Tax
Investment in the UK’s workforce is an essential part of a plan for long-term growth
Latest News
CBI responds to extension of red tape freeze for small businesses
The CBI responded to an announcement by Business Minister, Michael Fallon, that the Government will extend the small business exemption from new regulations for firms with fewer than 10 employees to firms with up to 50 employees
CBI responds to Q1 Funding for Lending data
The CBI responded to Funding for Lending data for the first quarter which shows that net lending fell by £0.3 billion. This represented an improvement on the fall of £2.4 billion in the previous quarter
Growing businesses need to open their eyes to alternative sources of finance
The CBI called on small and medium-sized (SMEs) firms to consider the broad range of finance options available to help them grow, including asset-based lending, equity investment and peer-to-peer lending
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