Policy & Research

Good advocacy rests on good evidence. We gather insight from our members and the wider sector to understand what small businesses are genuinely experiencing — the pressures, the opportunities, and the changes that would make a real difference. That evidence shapes our policy positions and helps decision-makers act on facts rather than assumptions.

We combine what members tell us with wider sector data to build an accurate, current picture of the small-business economy. That picture does two jobs at once: it gives our advocacy credibility with decision-makers, and it gives members practical insight they can use in their own planning and decisions.

This includes:

•    Regular member surveys and a sector ‘pulse’ on confidence, costs and trading conditions

•    Benchmarking that lets members see how they compare with similar businesses

•    Clear, evidence-based positions on the policy settings that matter most to SMEs

•    Submissions and briefings grounded in real member data, not assumptions

•    Accessible research, insights and trend-spotting members can apply in their own businesses

Early priority:  launching our first member survey to build the evidence base.