Catch up on the big issues with our weekly Small Business Bites. We cut through the noise to dig out the week’s stories that really matter to the UK’s small business owners. Here’s our roundup of things you need to know:

Export opportunities 

Innovation UK has set up a new £1.2 million fund to help UK companies looking to create international business networks. It is hoped the funding – which is open to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will enable them to carry out short feasibility studies and spend time abroad, exploring new markets and potential collaborative opportunities.

Interested businesses should register for funding (up to 70% of of their total project costs) by September 21.

Science executive of Innovate UK, Dr Ruth McKernan, said: “This competition is about pushing out the horizon for companies that haven’t had the means, or inclination to think globally in the past. It will get ideas off the drawing board and into markets around the world, with new partners they may not even have imagined working with previously.

“Business, like science, is a global endeavour. Now more than ever, it is critical that UK companies continue to partner with other businesses and research establishments right across world if they are to remain competitive.”

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-competition-global-cooperation-feasibility-studies.

Stronger trade ties 

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark visited New Delhi this week to hold talks with Indian government ministers and business leaders. He called for stronger bilateral trade ties and urged British companies to take advantage of a wealth of opportunities in India.

According to www.gov.uk, the UK is the largest G20 investor in India, while India is the third largest investor in the UK.

Greg Clark said: “The UK has a long-standing trade relationship with India and we want this to grow and prosper. That is why I wanted to meet with government ministers and key business leaders in the country to make clear that the UK is open for business and will continue to thrive on the world stage.”

Greg Clark also met with Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines Minister, to discuss future co-operation.

Apprenticeships

A new report by The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has found the small business sector in England has the potential to double the number of apprentices they take on to well over two million, if the Government can get the incentives and package of support right.

The report, entitled ‘Make or Break: Getting apprenticeship reform right for small businesses”, revealed that one in four FSB members (24%) already employ an apprentice, but a further quarter (24%) would consider taking one on in the future.

Mike Cherry, national chairman at the FSB, said: “We are at a make-or-break moment. We need the Government to hit the right balance between incentives and support. While many small firms are committed to apprenticeships, many more continue to be worried about the time and personal commitment required.

“Ministers need to focus on three main areas: more targeted and localised information for businesses with high growth potential, specific and practical guidance on how a smaller company can take on an apprentice, and a more generous package of incentives and support for those which do. Getting this right is key to the successful reform of the apprenticeship system.”

See the full report here.

National Wage offenders 

The Government has published its largest ever list of National Minimum Wage offenders, comprising almost 200 employers across the UK.

Businesses included football clubs, hotels, care homes and hairdressers, who between them owed £465,291 to their employees. All of the money has now been paid back.

In the East Midlands region – where Company Check is based, there were a total of 11 employers on the list.

Over 650 firms have been named and shamed since the scheme was introduced in October 2013, with total arrears of more than £3.5 million.

To see the full list visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/largest-ever-list-of-national-minimum-wage-offenders-published

In other news

• Company Check’s annual Business Census will launch this autumn, asking thousands of businesses for their views and predictions for 2017 – sign up to our newsletter below to keep informed about when it launches.