The SME Voice is an ongoing monthly survey of Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). It works in close partnership with The SME Hub on research, such as the survey (in which more than 1200 people participated) after the spending cuts were announced by the Chancellor last month.

A recent survey by The SME Voice showed that 21% of the 500 SMEs surveyed were not planning to spend anything at all on a staff Christmas party. Sixty nine percent plan to go for a meal and a drink.

Though 70% of these businesses are confident about business prospects for the next 6 months, the average amount most firms plan to spend was just £21-40 per head. While 43% of business-to-business organisations plan to spend over £40, only 15% of business-to-consumer organisations such as hairdressers and retailers expect to be so 'lavish'.