SME State of the Nation report: six in ten say poor transport infrastructure impacting business

With a Labour Government in Westminster, a new SME State of the Nation report from iwoca sets out the major public policy challenges facing the UK’s small and medium-sized businesses.

The state of Britain’s transport infrastructure causing problems for small companies. Britain’s poor transport infrastructure is particularly impacting SME owners, and six in ten (58%) report that it is negatively affecting their company.

As the Government commits to fix 1 million potholes a year, poor road conditions are the most common transport issue, affecting a quarter (25%) of small businesses, followed by a fifth (22%) citing delayed or cancelled trains.

With four bills in Labour’s first King’s Speech focusing on overhauling Britain’s public transport, SME owners also back reform. When asked about the UK’s public transport system, over half (52%) of SME owners think it isn’t reliable or fit for purpose

Mark Di-Toro, Director at iwoca, said: “The new Labour Government is already calling the UK’s 5.5m SMEs the beating heart of the economy and has put growth at the centre of their plans. Improving the UK’s public services can play a key role in addressing the challenges that small and medium-sized companies face. Tackling issues in housing, health and transport will help more companies to grow and help them to attract and retain the staff they rely on.”

How, if at all, has your business been negatively affected by transport infrastructure?

Delayed or cancelled trains – 21%

Delayed or cancelled buses – 11%

Poor road conditions – 25%

Road closures – 22%

Limited public transport links – 14%

Low emission zones – 11%