Changes to the Renters’ Rights Bill, CMA investigates Google, and a £7 million boost for SMEs
Today’s blog post reviews last week’s debate in Parliament focusing on the Renters’ Rights Bill, the CMA uses their new powers to investigate Google and the government promise £7 million for SME owners to invest in AI.
Renters’ Rights Bill continues to progress
The Renters’ Rights Bill returned to Parliament for debate last week and included some new changes.
Cap on advance rent payments
A new rule is proposed that will cap advance rent payments at one month’s rent. Currently, there is no limit on the upfront rent a landlord can ask for. This is being used to exploit potential tenants in some places and particularly disadvantages renters on lower incomes.
Landlords will still be able to take a security deposit of up to 5 or 6 weeks rent alongside a one month’s rent in advance.
Safeguards for bereavement
Another proposed change will mean that bereaved guarantors will no longer be forced to pay rent for the rest of the tenancy where a loved one has died. This will make it easier to end a tenancy agreement in unforeseen and tragic circumstances.
Reducing early commitments
Currently students can feel pressured to sign a lease many months in advance. Therefore, it is being proposed that students cannot be locked into an agreement more than six months in advance of moving in.
Further changes proposed include closing potential loopholes in rent repayment order and using fees paid by landlords to directly fund the creation and work of a private rented sector Ombudsman.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-law-to-protect-renters-one-step-closer-to-becoming-a-reality
CMA launches first investigation under new powers
The new digital markets competition regime came into force on 1 January 2025 and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has now launched its first investigation on Google under its new powers.
Under the new digital markets competition regime, the CMA can designate certain businesses as having strategic market status (SMS) in relation to a particular digital activity. The designation means the CMA can then impose conduct requirements or propose pro-competition interventions that benefit UK consumers and businesses.
The designation can only take place after an investigation, and the CMA has announced that its first SMS designation investigation will be to assess Google’s position in search and search advertising services.
According to statistics provided by the CMA, Google accounts for more than 90% of all general search queries in the UK, and more than 200,000 UK advertisers use Google’s search advertising.
Search is a key digital service, with many businesses reliant on being found by potential customers in internet searches. The CMA estimates that effective competition in this area could reduce the costs of search advertising.
The investigation will involve assessing how competition is currently working and whether Google is using its position to prevent others being able to innovate. It will also look at whether Google is using its market position to self-preference its own services, as well as whether there is any potentially exploitative conduct in its use of consumer data and use of publisher content.
Once the investigation is completed, which must be within 9 months, the CMA will announce its findings and any potential conduct requirements.
Government funding for AI Projects to boost small business productivity
The UK Government has announced a £7 million funding initiative aimed at helping small businesses enhance their productivity and efficiency through artificial intelligence (AI).
This funding, distributed across 120 projects, is part of the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme under the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund. The initiative seeks to harness AI technology to address real-world challenges and support economic growth in sectors such as agriculture, transport, construction, and more.
Key highlights from the announcement
AI projects across various sectors are being backed. These include:
- Agriculture: AI models that may help farmers optimise yields, such as increasing dairy production from cows or protecting strawberry crops.
- Roads: How an AI tool could predict potholes before they form, reducing road repair costs and preventing vehicle damage.
- Bakery: How AI could be used to predict sales and forecast how much of each product needs to be made each day to cut food waste and protect profit margins.
- Building maintenance: Trialling an AI model that can anticipate mould growth in properties, so they can be handled to avoid health and safety concerns.
The funding builds on the government’s recently published AI Opportunities Action Plan, which outlines a roadmap for widespread AI adoption across the economy.
Considerations for small businesses
While the funding and expertise offered by initiatives like BridgeAI are substantial, as these various applications come to market, small businesses will need to consider the costs of integrating AI into their operations.
These may include purchasing hardware, training staff, and ensuring that your data infrastructure is robust enough to support AI technologies. As with any new technology it will be important to analyse the cost-benefits.
While AI is clearly seen as a major player in future economic growth, businesses will need to navigate issues related to data security, ethical use, and transparency. Ensuring compliance with regulations and building customer trust will be essential, particularly for those who handle sensitive customer or operational data.
Conclusion
The UK Government’s AI funding initiative represents a significant opportunity for small businesses to adopt cutting-edge technologies and enhance their competitiveness. While there is potential for improved efficiency, cost savings, and growth, businesses will still need to carefully assess the costs of implementation and address ethical considerations.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-puts-ai-to-work-for-bakers-road-workers-and-more
Showcasing export excellence: Enter the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards
Small businesses across the UK are invited to enter the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards, which celebrate exceptional achievements in international trade.
The awards are open for entries until 9 March and provide a platform for SMEs to showcase their success in exporting British goods and services across the globe.
Why enter the awards?
In short, winning or being highly commended in one of the award categories can offer opportunities to expand your business’ reach and elevate your brand.
Previous winners Intralink, who won in the Consultancy & Professional Services category, say they achieved a 10% revenue increase and expanded into Finland, Norway, China, and South Korea. Simventure, who won in the Education & EdTech category, experienced 30% year-on-year growth and entered markets in the Middle East.
What’s new for 2025?
This year’s awards feature two new categories: Digital & Technology and Export Services. Other categories include:
- Advanced Manufacturing & Construction
- Agriculture, Food & Drink
- Consultancy & Professional Services
- Creative Industries
- Education & EdTech
- Financial Services & FinTech
- Healthcare
- Infrastructure and Engineering
- Low Carbon Energy
- Retail and Consumer Goods
Entries close on March 9th and information on how to enter can be found here.
Could exporting matter to your business?
Whether you currently export or not, exporting offers growth potential that domestic markets alone cannot match.
If you are looking for expert guidance on exporting and navigating international markets, get in touch with us. Our team is here to help you achieve your global ambitions.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-smes-called-to-apply-for-major-government-export-awards