The Department for Business and Trade has issued a national call for public support for Small Business Saturday, urging shoppers to back local firms across the UK. The announcement is linked to the government’s Small Business Plan and the launch of the new Backing Your Business campaign. Ministers say the initiative is designed to strengthen high street trade during the Christmas period.
The campaign applies nationwide to the UK’s 5.7 million small businesses. The government states the measures are part of wider reforms to improve business conditions.
The appeal comes as new data highlights the scale of the small business sector and its role in employment and economic output. The government says public support this festive season could deliver a £5 billion spending boost for SMEs.
Ministers have combined the promotion with new commitments on late payments, finance, and costs. The campaign is positioned as both an economic and community-focused initiative. The announcement was confirmed by Business Secretary Peter Kyle MP.
Government call to support small businesses
The Department for Business and Trade has called on the public to shop locally on Small Business Saturday, marked nationally on 6 December. The campaign encourages communities to support local shops, sole traders, and family-run firms during the busy Christmas period.
Ministers say the initiative highlights the role small businesses play in sustaining local economies. The campaign is being promoted as a coordinated national effort rather than a localised retail push.
Backing Your Business campaign launch
The government has formally launched the Backing Your Business campaign alongside its call to support Small Business Saturday. The campaign is aimed at improving access to support for sole traders, start-ups, high street retailers, and family businesses.
It forms part of the wider Small Business Plan introduced earlier this year. Officials say the objective is to improve financial resilience and long-term growth across the sector.
Economic role of small businesses in the UK
Small businesses employ around 60 per cent of the UK workforce and generate an estimated £2.8 trillion in annual turnover. Government figures describe the sector as central to both employment and economic stability.
New data suggests that increased festive spending could deliver a £5 billion uplift for SMEs. Spending this year is expected to rise by 19 per cent compared with last year.
Employment and turnover figures
The current small business population stands at approximately 5.7 million firms nationwide. These businesses operate across retail, services, manufacturing, and digital industries. Ministers say the scale of the sector means even modest growth delivers substantial economic returns. The government has linked consumer support directly to sustaining jobs and business continuity.
Small Business Economic Profile
| Indicator | National Total |
| Number of small businesses | 5.7 million |
| Workforce share | 60% |
| Annual turnover | £2.8 trillion |
| Projected seasonal boost | £5 billion |
Government policy measures for small firms
The Small Business Plan introduces the strongest proposed reforms on late payments in 25 years. Ministers say the reforms are intended to improve cash flow and business survival rates. The plan also includes finance measures aimed at increasing access to credit for SMEs. The Business Growth Service has been established to coordinate wider support delivery.
Late payment reforms and finance access
The government has concluded a national consultation on late payment reform and plans to publish its response in the new year. A £4 billion finance package has been announced, including £1 billion for start-ups and £3 billion for the British Business Bank.
The ENABLE programme will support more accessible small business lending. Officials say these measures are intended to stabilise business finances and promote expansion.
Small Business Finance and Reform Measures
| Policy Area | Measure |
| Late payments | Strongest reforms in 25 years |
| Start-up finance | £1 billion funding boost |
| British Business Bank | £3 billion lending support |
| ENABLE programme | Expanded loan access |
Ministerial and public engagement activity
Ministers have been visiting small businesses across the UK in the lead-up to Small Business Saturday. Visits included firms in Stoke, Glasgow, and London. The government says these engagements are intended to showcase the diversity of the small business sector. The visits form part of the public-facing promotion of the national campaign.
Visits to representative UK businesses
Businesses visited include the Stoke-based animation studio Carse and Waterman, Glasgow sweet shop Jeavons Toffee, and London-based dog groomers Bow Wow. Officials say these firms demonstrate the breadth of UK entrepreneurship. The visits were used to highlight both creative and service-based sectors. Ministers also used the visits to reinforce the call for public support.
Financial incentives and cost support measures
Alongside consumer support, the government has outlined a wider package of cost and tax measures for small businesses. These measures are designed to ease operating pressures and support employee retention.
Officials say the package addresses energy, taxation, childcare, and training. The reforms are positioned as part of wider cost-of-living and productivity policy.
- £150 reduction in customer energy bills and electricity price cuts for manufacturers
- Higher threshold before small businesses pay national insurance
- Free training for under-25 apprenticeships for small firms
Long-term growth outlook for UK small businesses
The government says long-term small business growth is central to its economic strategy. Analysis indicates that a one percentage point annual growth rate across UK small businesses could add £320 billion to the economy by 2030.
Ministers argue that reforms on finance, regulation, and costs are intended to enable this growth. The Backing Your Business campaign is presented as one component of this broader approach.
- Projected £320 billion economic uplift by 2030
- Expansion of enterprise tax incentives for fast-growing firms
- Business rates increases capped during recovery period
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
Peter Kyle MP, Business Secretary said;
“This country is home to some of the brightest entrepreneurs and innovative businesses in the world and our Small Business Plan is a driver of that potential. Small Business Saturday is a chance for communities to support the firms that power our high streets and our economy.”
Peter Kyle MP added;
“Whether it is a local shop, a tradesperson, or a high street retailer, these are the businesses that work every day to support communities across the UK.”
Industry Comments
Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK said;
“Small businesses are essential to both their communities and the wider economy. Our research shows strong public support for local firms, and Small Business Saturday remains a vital opportunity to demonstrate that support nationwide.”
In Conclusion
The government’s Small Business Saturday campaign reinforces its wider strategy to strengthen the UK’s small business sector through public engagement and policy reform. Combined with finance measures, cost support, and regulatory change, the initiative aims to improve trading conditions and long-term resilience.
Ministers say sustained consumer participation and continued reform will shape future small business growth across the UK economy.
Sources: Department for Business and Tradem The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, gov.uk Small Business Plan, and the Business Growth Service.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
