Growth prospects for small firms in the UK are looking bleak as business owners say cash flow problems, red tape and lack of funding are holding them back.

The chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak, annoucned a number of measures to lift the economy of of the post-coronavirus slimp.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a raft of new measures designed to protect, support and create jobs, including a job retention bonus.

New figures show that Bounce Back loans worth more than £30 billion have been approved for small firms as the UK government announces a further £1.57 billion in funding for the arts sector.

Almost a third of UK companies are looking to outsource parts of their business operation as a direct result of the pandemic, according to new research.

New surveys show that three in ten business leaders have permanently streamlined their teams because of the coronavirus crisis and one in ten small firms have lost all their business.

A new survey of more than 4,000 small firms has found that the majority have been hit by late payment as a result of COVID-19.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a significant shift in the way businesses sell to each other, leaving traditional salespeople out in the cold.

Many more businesses in England will be able to reopen from 4 July, including pubs, hotels, restaurants and hairdressers.

Two-thirds of business owners over the age of 55 say they will "never stop" working - out of choice rather than necessity.