The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has inked a new payments partnership with NatWest Group.
FSB members will have access to a range of simple, reliable and cost-effective payment solutions from Tyl by NatWest.
For the smallest businesses, Tyl offers a simple fee structure based on one low rate for personal card transactions (where the card is issued in the UK or Europe) and one for all other transactions. For bigger businesses, Tyl has a range of different fees to fit the needs of the business.
“FSB and NatWest share an ambition to provide strong support for the growth of entrepreneurship and small businesses in the UK, and we are excited and proud to partner with FSB in payments services for its members,” James Holian, head of business banking at NatWest commented.
Mike Elliff, chief executive, Tyl by NatWest, added: “Small businesses are critical for our economy and our communities. At a time where the cost of trading is rising for small business owners, Tyl by NatWest is delighted to be able to partner with FSB to provide its members with a full range of cost-effective and reliable payment solutions, backed by great service.”
In addition to the possible business savings, Tyl by NatWest could help FSB members with the day to day running of their business through features including:
Choice of card machines or a phone app for in-person sales
Take payments online or over the phone
Payment links and QR codes to send out so you get paid quickly
Simple bills and next business day settlement
Tyl Portal for access to constantly updated sales data
7 day a week UK-based service and support line
The official partnership builds on the support the NatWest Group has given to FSB over the years. In 2020, NatWest Group established the SME Taskforce with FSB to help SMEs to respond to and navigate the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year NatWest announced a £1 million partnership with FSB to provide NatWest business customers with access to independent support and education to help with the cost-of-living crisis via webinars, and 1-2-1 phone support and webchat.
NatWest said FSB members will see cost savings and other benefits by signing up with Tyl, subject to eligibility criteria as part of the partnership. Insight from Tyl by NatWest found that 8 out of 10 businesses could save on fees when switching from an existing card payment provider to Tyl by NatWest.
“I’m delighted to form this partnership with Tyl by NatWest. We have a long-standing history of working with NatWest on various business initiatives and look forward to this next step in our relationship,” Caroline Lavelle, FSB chief commercial officer, said.
“As many of our members, and the wider UK small business community, continue to navigate the increasing cost of trading, an opportunity to make savings on payments, which is core to every business, will be well-received.”
Available now, FSB members could be up and running with Tyl in just 48 hours.
The UK government has been urged to reconsider its increase to employer National Insurance contributions before it causes “lasting damage” to the economy in Scotland.
National Insurance contributions for employers are set to rise to 15 per cent from April – however, the Scottish Government estimates it will cost businesses £850 per employee on average.
It was warned the hike would hit the budgets of charities and public sector bodies.
Scottish Government Employment and Investment Minister Tom Arthur said the rise was likely to result in higher prices for consumers and endangered economic growth and described it as a “tax on jobs”.
Speaking ahead of a debate in parliament this week, Arthur said efforts to support businesses and boost investment were “being undermined” by the UK Government’s decision.
“This decision is hitting Scottish businesses hard, reducing their ability to contribute to Scotland’s economy, all while hurting employees’ pay packets.
“Businesses now face the impossible choice of cutting jobs, reducing hours, cutting wages, absorbing the costs themselves or passing some of the burden to consumers in the form of higher prices.
“The First Minister set out a clear plan for growth in his Programme for Government, using the levers at our disposal to support businesses and to attract investment in critical areas like the offshore wind supply chain.
“Yet, our efforts to support businesses, entrepreneurs and investment are being undermined by this tax on jobs. If the UK Government is serious about economic growth, they must reconsider this decision before they cause lasting damage to Scotland’s economy.”
Arthur's statement comes a week after retailers' warning that tax hikes will lead to even more devastating High Street closures and job losses.
Retailers are set to face a "perfect storm of additional costs" as 300,000 jobs will go by 2028 due to the implication of recent budget, stated the new body Retail Jobs Alliance (RJA) representing seven of Britain’s biggest retail chains.
According to the RJA’s analysis, at least one in ten retail workers could leave the sector before 2028, amounting to 300,000 staff.
The retailers are calling for shops to be protected from higher business rates, which are commercial property taxes, saying that this change would provide much-needed relief for at-risk stores, enabling them to reinvest in their businesses, retain staff, and grow their footprint on the High Street.
As well as hitting shops with higher rates, the Chancellor announced a £25billion increase in national insurance and an inflation-busting hike in the minimum wage.
Helen Dickinson, boss of the British Retail Consortium, warned that with Reeves’ Budget adding over £7billion to their bills in 2025, retailers face "difficult decisions about future investment".
Confederation of British Industry chief executive Rain Newton-Smith warned businesses are "seriously flagging under the fiscal burden it had to shoulder at the Budget". She is calling for "decisive action’ that must include ‘fixing our punishing business rates system – fast".
SPAR UK today (17) shared the impact of its donation of over £30,000 that it made to It Belongs To Me, an organisation empowering vulnerable women, men, and children in Rustenburg, South Africa.
This contribution, alongside donations of books, toys, stationery, and toiletries, has enabled the organisation to deliver life-changing programmes and projects in its community.
The partnership began at the 2024 SPAR national conference in Sun City, where attendees were inspired by Khumo Phalatse, founder of It Belongs To Me NPC, and her story of resilience, determination, and passion for creating opportunities in her community.
Since its inception over a decade ago, the organisation has been dedicated to addressing challenges such as period poverty, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and educational inequality.
SPAR UK’s donation has helped It Belongs To Me NPC by renovating a previously modest facility into a vibrant hub for learning and community engagement; creating a new library which now provides educational materials and career workshops and serving as a beacon of opportunity for local youth and women; and supporting volunteers who have undergone training in counselling and youth development, ensuring the organisation has the skilled support needed to sustain its programmes.
Khumo Phalatse, founder of It Belongs To Me, said, “This donation has transformed not just our centre, but the lives of so many in our community.
"What began as a small spark of hope has now grown into a vibrant space of safety, learning, and healing. Thanks to everyone who attended the SPAR UK conference in Sun City, we have created something that will last – a place that inspires and empowers those who need it most.”
The donation has also funded impactful programmes, including a career awareness campaign that introduces young learners to diverse career paths, a Women’s Day event focused on empowerment and healing, an anti-bullying and substance abuse campaign for primary school students, social media safety workshops for high school learners, and a clothing drive providing essentials to families in need.
These initiatives have brought hope, education, and healing to the community, reinforcing It Belongs To Me NPC’s mission to uplift and empower.
Dominic Hall, Chair of the National Guild of SPAR, adds, “At SPAR, we believe in making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve, both at home and abroad. Supporting It Belongs To Me NPC has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and we are inspired by Khumo’s dedication and resilience.
"This partnership highlights the power of collective effort and the profound impact it can have. Thank you to everyone who attended the SPAR 2024 national conference in Sun City and for supporting It Belongs To Me.”
Sugro UK, the member-owned buying and marketing group comprising of over 90 independent wholesalers, today (17) announced the expansion of its procurement services to members with the addition of Xpress Fuel as a new partner to the group.
Xpress Fuel offer cost savings on fuel via Fuelcard transactions and Bulk fuel Discounts.
Recognising the need to address climate change, they offer carbon offsetting options on all of their fuel cards and bulk purchases. Customers have the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint and, in recognition of their efforts, receive a monthly certificate outlining their contributions to environmental preservation.
Sugro members will be able to save an average of between 10 per cent and 15 per cent on fuel by using Xpress Fuel cards across their delivery and sales fleet.
Bulk fuel deliveries across a number of fuel and lubricant product types offers a more streamlined process for members to purchase at competitive pricing.
Brett Tidmarsh, New Business Developer at Xpress Fuel, said, “At Xpress Fuel, we are excited to collaborate with Sugro UK’s members and look forward to the opportunity to provide costeffective, reliable and efficient fuelling solutions.
"Our team is committed to building strong, lasting partnerships and supporting the growth and success of every member in the network”.
Sue Hubber, Business Development Manager (South) at Sugro UK, added, “This is a great opportunity for Sugro members to benefit from real-time cost savings when energy and fuel costs are at a premium.
"The range of services offered by Xpress Fuel enables all members to gain from this partnership.”
This partnership came close on heels of Sugro UK's another announcement that the buying group has successfully trialed the first-of-its-kind pre-sell campaign, Sugro WhatsApp E-Presell, using a wholesaler R&I Jones.’s WhatsApp channel.
Under the trial, messages encouraging pre-sell orders for KP Snacks’ McCoy’s Hot ‘n’ Spicy crisps were sent out to R&I Jones customers, allowing retailers to tell a wholesaler how many boxes of the product they would like to purchase.
The entire process was completed within the WhatsApp message, with only a few taps needed for a retailer to record the quantity of products they would like to order, and their customer number.
In an aim to support its independent retailers, wholesale giant Booker has launched its latest New Product Development Guide, showcasing Booker’s new group exclusives and first-to-market offerings, Containing over 125 new products, the guide covers all activities available to retailers, including a range of food, drinks and household essentials; Easter ranges; and low/no alcohol products which continue to remain popular with consumers.
The guide is filled with opportunities for retailers to differentiate themselves from their competitors and prepare for the Spring season ahead.
As the UK’s largest food and drink wholesaler, retailers can also take advantage of Booker’s group exclusives and branded first-to-market items, including Starbucks Skinny Grande, Jack Daniels & Coca Cola Cherry drinks; Canti Pinot Grigio and Pinot Grigio Rosé; Maltesers Mini Bunnies; and Reese’s Dipped Peanuts.
Colm Johnson, Retail Managing Director, said, “We are thrilled to introduce our latest NPD Guide to support the independent retail sector, showcasing Booker’s new group exclusives and first-to-market offerings.
"As they start to plan for the season and year ahead, we’re confident our range of offers can support them in growing their business, with our focus on great choice, price and service.”
The guide is available to all Booker’s symbol group retailers now, and available online via the website: www.booker.co.uk.
This comes close on the heels of Booker's announcement of its new delivery platform for its symbol group stores. The delivery through this platform is ensured to happen in as little as 30 minutes.
The new ordering platform, Scoot, connects shoppers with their local participating independent retailer enabling them to order food, drinks and household essentials from a curated list of products chosen by the retailer.
Scoot facilitates the processes of ordering, payment, and picking processes, leaving the retailers solely responsible for organising the delivery, whether they handle it in-house or use third party.
Scoot is currently piloting in Budgens Abridge with the aim to pilot another three stores in February and March. The platform will be phased out more widely to Booker symbol group retailers – across Budgens, Premier, Londis and Family Shopper from April 2025.
Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service on Friday (14) issued an advisory for retailers to act now in advance of the ban on disposable vapes that comes into force from June this year.
Retailers should now consider stopping buying new stocks of single use vapes and sell any existing stocks before June 1.
Warwickshire County Councillor Andy Crump, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety said,“Disposable vapes, also known as single use vapes, are a wasteful use of valuable resources.
"They are frequently discarded, instead of being properly recycled, leading to harmful substances entering the soil and water courses and causing harm to plant and wildlife”.
“Many single use vapes also end up in landfill or are incinerated, which can cause fires. I strongly urge Warwickshire retailers to read our guidance and act now.”
The council stated that from June 1, retailers must stop selling or offering for sale single use vapes (whether or not they contain nicotine), remove them from their store (including online stores) and arrange for them to be collected by a registered vape recycling service.
Retailers who fail to follow the law and continue to sell disposable vapes after the ban face having these products seized by Trading Standards and could be fined £200. Repeat offenders could be prosecuted.
Retailers can continue to sell reusable vapes.
Reusable vapes must have a battery users can recharge and be refillable with vape liquid, either by filling up the tank or cartridge with e-liquid or inserting new pre-filled pods. Refills (pods or vape liquid refill bottles) should be separately available for users to buy.
If the vape has a coil, it must be one that can be replaced by an average user, either by removing and replacing it or removing and replacing a pod or tank that contains it.
The coil (whether part of a replacement pod or tank, or not) should be separately available to buy.
Retailers will need to be able to demonstrate that an average user can separately buy individual refill items (including pods or e-liquid refill bottles) for the vaping items they stock. An easy way of doing this is by providing these items in the shop or online store.