Pressures on SMEs could force many out of business

The research revealed that employers in the North were the hardest hit with 16% saying they can no longer afford to operate. This compared to just 1% in the South West and a national average of 11%.

The news comes on the day that the Government is set to announce measures to help small businesses through the economic downturn. The Federation of Small Businesses is also urging the creation of a £1bn “survival fund”, funded by the European Investment Bank and the Treasury, to save threatened j