VAT Pressure on Hospitality: York’s hospitality venues back a push to cut VAT from 20% to 10%, arguing the current 20% rate hits independents hardest right around the VAT registration “nine-month” moment. Tourism Crackdown: Spain’s Balearic Islands, including Ibiza, moves to close loopholes on illegal holiday lets with daily fines up to €5,000 and faster enforcement powers for licensed operators. SME Support Platforms: Ghana launches an MSME Digital Gateway to centralise business support, finance info and advisory services on one trusted site, funded with EU support. Payments for Small Merchants: Visa expands smartphone-based payments across its products, aiming to help small businesses in emerging markets accept card payments without extra hardware. EU Telecom Rules Warning: MEP Alex Agius Saliba warns the EU’s Digital Networks act could weaken national regulators, risking higher prices and fewer choices for mobile and internet users. SME Finance for Green Industry: EIB Global backs BRAC Bank with €60m in Bangladesh for microfinance and green/circular investments, targeting thousands of small enterprises. UK SME Visibility Boost: Wiltshire jewellery brand Boho Bloom and Tired Mums Coffee both reach the Theo Paphitis #SBS Small Business Sunday x Spring Fair 2027 shortlist, competing for free trade-fair stands.