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UK Riots

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:31:32 +0000

Information for customers affected by the ongoing riots

Why the reluctance? New landlords and the 2011 market

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:57:41 +0000

The end of 2010 witnessed a resurgence of the so-called 'accidental landlord', as more homeowners chose to rent out their properties.

Unemployment figures hit 2.5 million

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Unemployment in the UK rose to 2.5 million in the three months to the end of November, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The worst affected appear to be 16-24...

Government 'must introduce fuel duty stabiliser'

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The Government must make good on suggestions that it will deliver a 'fuel duty stabiliser', according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Escalating fuel prices - and fuel duty rates -...

FSB call 'to reverse VAT rise'

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Seven out of ten small firms say the VAT rise is set to have a negative impact on their business. The member survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) found that 71% of the 1,600...

2011 'to be challenging for retail'

Fri, 31 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The coming year is set to bring falling sales, though the retail industry will still create jobs, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Among the biggest concerns revealed by the...

'Help small firms survive the cold spell' call

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Small firms need help to get them through the Christmas and New Year period after being blighted by losses due to the severe weather, a campaign group has claimed. The Federation of Small...

Localism Bill 'of concern' to business groups

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have expressed their concerns over how the Government's Localism Bill could affect firms. According to the newly-published guide, the bill would enable "a radical shift of power...

Euro ministers reject 20-week maternity leave

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Euro ministers have rejected proposals by MEPs to extend maternity leave to 20 weeks on full pay, up from 14 weeks. The move came yesterday, as the Council of Ministers for Employment and Social...

OFT warns retailers to 'play fair' with pricing

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has warned retailers against using practices which could mislead customers over the true price of goods. According to the body, some retailers are potentially...

Small business rate relief 'to be automatic'

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Government has pledged measures to help make small business rate relief automatic. Under legislation to be brought in by the upcoming Localism Bill, small businesses and shops will no longer...

Skills strategy 'has business growth at its heart'

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business and employment groups have welcomed the Government's new skills strategy, which pledges to "invest strategically", despite the cuts announced in the Spending Review. According to the...

Pension blow to micro firms 'to cost £2,550 a year'

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

New plans to automatically enrol workers into pension schemes from 2012 could deliver a huge financial blow to the smallest firms, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). The...

SMEs 'to be hardest hit by VAT rise'

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0000

SMEs are likely to be the worst affected by the January VAT rise, according to an employment think-tank. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) believe SMEs are also likely to...

Pensions shake-up to 'damage' micro firms

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Government's new pensions policy has failed to take into account the needs of the smallest firms, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is warning. Under the changes announced today, all...

Extended maternity leave plan backed by MEPs

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A controversial draft law to extend maternity leave to 20 weeks on full pay has been backed by Euro MPs. Today's support will make the extension mandatory in the EU, but it cannot become law...

Sales growth stalling as recovery slows

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Concern for the future persists among consumers, business groups are warning, as the latest reports point to a stalling economy. September's Retail Sales Monitor, produced by the British Retail...

Major banks 'to provide SME fund'

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Major British banks are reported to be on the verge of announcing a new fund devoted to small business lending. The high street banks, including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of...

Banks leave small businesses struggling

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Forum of Private Business has put forward a proposal calling on the Government to pressure banks to address the lack of lending to small firms. The Bank of England figures show it has got...

SMEs doubt Government will assist with late payments

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

More than half of British SMEs (56%) are not expecting financial backing from the Government to help tackle the late payments issue. target="_blank"New research by Bacs shows that UK small...

Business stakes claim for enterprise role

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have staked their claim for a role in the Government's plans for its Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs). The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) appeared in front of the Business,...

Cost of food pushes up shop price inflation

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Shop price inflation was up in August, fuelled by the highest rises in food costs in more than a year, according to the latest retail figures. The British Retail Consortium (BRC)/Nielsen shop...

Short-term economy 'better than thought'

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The short-term prospects for the UK economy could be better than first thought, according to a business group - which has upgraded its economic outlook to predict higher growth. Published this...

Plastic bag use falls for fourth year

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The number of plastic bags handed out to supermarket shoppers has fallen for the fourth year in a row, according to retail industry figures. In the year to May 2010 there was a 43% reduction in...

Help SMEs become green, says FSB

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

SMEs are keen to embrace the Government's vision of a low-carbon economy - but they need help to meet emission reduction targets, a business group has said. According to a new report from the...

New red tape rules a boon for business

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business Secretary Vince Cable has outlined plans which, it is claimed, will tackle the level of unnecessary red tape firms have to deal with. According to the Government, the new package of...

SME lending 'in decline'

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Lending to small businesses is in decline, the latest banking industry figures suggest. Although the British Bankers' Association (BBA) small business support figures show that lending to small...

FSB calls for self-employment 'respect'

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is predicting an unprecedented boom in the number of small firms this year, as high unemployment continues to be an issue. According to the federation, a...

Private use van drivers 'paying 300% more tax'

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Van drivers are now paying around four times more than they were in 2006/07, following the stiffening-up of a tax measure designed to clamp down on business vehicle 'perks'. According to...

June sales find consumers making hay while sun shines

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Retail enjoyed a better June than last year, as sales responded to a consistently sunny month. According to the retail sales monitor, produced by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and...

'Volatility over' for shop prices

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Shop price inflation slowed last month, signalling an end to the "volatility" in the retail sector. According to June's shop price index, overall inflation fell to 1.5% in comparison to the same...

Business calls for central role in 'new partnerships'

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have warned they must play a central role in Government proposals to set up 'local enterprise partnerships', as it announces the scrapping of the existing Regional Development...

'Tough' Budget finds broad business welcome

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne's self-proclaimed 'tough but fair' emergency Budget - which seeks to tackle the country's debt crisis - has been broadly welcomed by business groups....

'Think small first', chancellor told for Budget

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Government has been urged to "think small first" by placing SMEs at the heart of next week's 'emergency Budget'. Although the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) acknowledged that we are in...

Sales up, but consumers still 'uncertain'

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Retail sales rose slightly in May compared to the same time in 2009 - though customers are still beset with uncertainty, according to latest industry figures. The latest Retail Sales Monitor found...

SMEs told to prepare for World Cup absenteeism

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Small business bosses are being urged to set out their stall early to deal with unscheduled employee absences over the football World Cup period. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) - which...

Business groups react to Queen's Speech

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have given their reactions to the Queen's Speech, in which her Majesty set out the legislative agenda for the coalition Conservative/Liberal Democrat government. Among the bills...

Businesses welcome pledge to deal with budget deficit

Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have backed moves to deal with the UK budget deficit, ahead of the new Government's 22 June 'emergency Budget'. Chancellor George Osborne announced the date of his first Budget...

Government must face up to 'critical time' for economy

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have welcomed Tuesday's announcement of the new coalition Government, but have spoken of an urgent need for the economy to take centre-stage. Throughout the five days of talks...

90-day business 'challenge' to incoming government

Thu, 06 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business group the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has thrown down a 90-day gauntlet to the winner of today's General Election. According to the BCC, any incoming government must be prepared to...

Business 'worried about hung parliament'

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Firms are increasingly concerned about the impact of a hung parliament, a business group is warning, as the political battle intensifies ahead of the 6 May general election. According to the...

'Drip-feed' order small firms hit by flight ban

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Aircraft are beginning to travel once more in UK airspace, but business groups are warning that small firms have been hit particularly hard by nearly a week of grounded flights arising from the...

Cheques and cash decline as consumers switch to cards

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The use of cash is in rapid decline as consumers increasingly choose to pay by card, a new study suggests. And the Payments Council, which oversees the UK's payment systems, estimates that by 2018...

Parties square up as month-long election campaign begins

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business and the economy have dominated early campaigning as the UK prepares for a 6 May general election. On Tuesday the prime minister finally confirmed the widely anticipated date, leaving...

Scrappage incentive runs its course

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Government's scrappage scheme, which offered a £2,000 incentive for the owners of older cars and light vans to trade them in for a newer model, has come to an end after 10 months. Hailed by...

Business cautious on Budget's 'modest but helpful changes'

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have given a mixed reaction to yesterday's Budget, Alistair Darling's last of this Government. In what many commentators see as a finely balanced, political budget ahead of this...

The Business Inflation Guide Q4 2009

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

The Business Inflation Guide (BIG) - created in collaboration with Warwick Business School - is MORE TH>N BUSINESS' indispensable guide to quarterly pricing and cost trends for small businesses in Great Britain.

Business group urges rethink on 'gridlocked' roads

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Britain's roads are a cause of "frustration and delays" for business drivers and are costing the economy billions of pounds each year, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said. And a...

Pimping your van: sure way to drive up business?

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Are you driving around in a missed marketing opportunity? Here's how some businesses have turned their van into a talking point - some quite literally.

Credit Control for Small Businesses

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0000

New business is good news – except when it means bad debt. This article explains how to vet your clients and what to do if your client fails a credit check.

Dealing with small business red tape: where to start

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Red tape is a notorious pain for many small businesses – here's our guide to getting a head start.

Relief as agreement settles Royal Mail dispute

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Both Royal Mail and the union representing around 120,000 of its workforce have welcomed an agreement which settles their dispute over pay and working practices. The disagreement, which centred...

M&S 'to be greenest retailer' by 2015

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Marks & Spencer has announced its intention to be the world's most sustainable retailer by 2015, adding 80 new pledges to its existing ethical plan. The high street icon says that its updated...

2010 will be 'another tough year for employees'

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The new year will continue to be tough for employees, business owners have warned. While retailers do not expect trading conditions to deteriorate in 2010, many are predicting a rough ride for...

FSB chairman lays down new year's challenge

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

2010 must see banks returning to their usual lending practices, according to the chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Writing in his New Year message, John Wright said that small...

Landlords to vote on 'beer tie' action

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Landlords are set to vote on whether to hold industrial action to force a deal from pub-owning companies ('pubcos'), who they say are overcharging by thousands of pounds each year. The ballot will...

Long-term dole level 'doubled in a year'

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

New analysis of jobless figures suggests that the level of long-term unemployed claiming the dole has almost doubled in under a year. The TUC compared the number of people who in December 2008 had...

CAMRA plans challenge to pub 'beer tie' ruling

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Beer lobby group the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) is continuing its battle to free tenants from the 'beer tie' system, which sees them obliged to buying drinks from their landlords. The group...

Landlord group hits back at 'archaic rent payment' claims

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The British Property Federation (BPF) has hit back at claims that commercial landlords are behaving inflexibly towards struggling retailers. Responding to claims by the British Retail Consortium...

Business group predicts 'fragile' UK economic recovery

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has forecast a 'fragile' recovery for the UK economy in 2010. The CBI said that the UK economy was expected to come out of recession in the fourth...

Bill introduced for grocery ombudsman

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Retail group the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has spoken out in support of an MP's bid for the creation of a grocery ombudsman. The Grocery Market Ombudsman Bill - a private members'...

'Record' apprentice levels amid youth unemployment

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The number of people completing an apprenticeship is at an all-time high, according to the Government, which is hailing its success in 'smashing' previous records. The Department for Business,...

'Demise of cheques' will affect small firms, warns FSB

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Cheques are to become obsolete by the end October 2018, after a decision by the Payments Council; the body which sets the strategy for how payments are made in the UK. However, despite asserting...

Innovative SMEs offered chance to retrofit Government offices

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Small businesses are being invited to compete in an initiative to find energy-efficient solutions for Government buildings. Part of the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) programme - which...

London retail sales show best growth for three years

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

November retail sales in central London have recorded the best growth for three years, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC's London Retail Sales Monitor reports that sales in...

Christmas 'to be better than last year', say retailers

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Retailers are hoping that Christmas trading this year can 'only get better', according to the latest 'snapshot survey' from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC's Christmas Trading...

Government plans to cut licensing red tape

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Government has unveiled plans to cut the red tape involved in the licensing of events at venues around the UK. Announcing the proposals, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)...

Pre-Budget Report is mixed bag, say business groups

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have returned a mixed verdict on the chancellor's Pre-Budget Report; praising the extension of financing support to small firms, while warning that National Insurance hikes will...

Chancellor challenged ahead of Pre-Budget Report

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Business and workers' groups have laid down the gauntlet ahead of tomorrow's Pre-Budget Report, challenging the chancellor to provide a boost to the economy and help the unemployed. After revising...

Business group reduces growth prediction ahead of Pre-Budget Report

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The British Chambers of Commerce has revised downwards the gross domestic product (GDP) growth it forecasts in 2009 and 2010, ahead of this week's Pre-Budget Report. In its latest Economic...

Call to freeze minimum wage

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The National Minimum Wage has increased above the rate of inflation since its introduction, and should be frozen to allow retailers breathing space, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has...

Eleven London pubs shutting each week

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

London pubs were shutting down at the rate of 11 each week over the first half of this year, the latest figures show. According to a survey published today by the British Beer and Pub Association...

'Innovating' small firms need continued support, says FSB

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Small firms are innovating despite the tough financial times, according to a survey billing itself as the most extensive undertaken during the recession. The annual Voice of Small Business survey...

Cameron 'undermining' health and safety law, says TUC

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Politicians should not trivialise the "consensus" for current levels of workplace health and safety regulations in the run-up to the general election, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC)....

'Digital tribes' need more than content, report says

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Companies need to look beyond just the content they provide on their websites when developing their online presence, according to a new report by professional services provider KPMG. The report...

Paid overtime a 'victim of the recession'

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The number of people working paid overtime in the UK had fallen by close to half a million this summer compared to the previous year, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has said. In an analysis of...

Pub campaign to protect 'symbol of British life'

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The beer industry has launched a campaign that aims to use public support for pubs to leverage a tax u-turn from the Government. And the call by the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) for a...

UK economy 'shrinking less than estimated'

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The latest official figures confirm that the UK economy continued to shrink between July and September. However, the rate at which it contracted in the third quarter is slightly less than...

PM proposes fund to help SMEs grow

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Gordon Brown has acknowledged the need to provide SMEs with improved access to finance, target="_blank"by proposing a fund to help small businesses grow. The prime minister's pledge to look into...

Flood-hit Cockermouth business owners return

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Businesses in Cockermouth are picking up the pieces today as owners return to flood-affected areas. Around 900 businesses and residents were taking in the damage to their properties in the town...

Pub food sales remain stable through recession

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The majority of pubs have seen food sales remain stable or even rise over the past year, according to The Publican's annual Food Report. Some 43% of pubs surveyed said that their food sales had...

Policy needed, not rhetoric, says FSB

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Business groups have reacted to measures set out in the Queen's Speech, which address issues ranging from banking to the importance of the digital economy. The Financial Services Bill is one of...

Plans to cut red tape on renewable technologies

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Regulations governing planning permission for renewable technologies could be relaxed, it has been announced. In proposals published yesterday, Housing and Planning Minister John Healey outlined a...

Push on with money programme, says business group

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Bank of England must continue to pump money into the UK economy despite new inflation figures which show a rise in October, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said. Pointing to what it...

Entrepreneurs demand tax break for start-ups

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A new report has suggested that tax breaks at the start of a new business' life would be central to driving recovery in the UK economy. The call, made by former Dragon's Den panellist Doug...

Music in the workplace

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:47:51 +0000

Listening to music at work may be one of life's simple pleasures – but do you know your way around the rules?

Study must pour water on 'phoenix companies', says FPB

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A new study into corporate insolvency must address the problem of 'phoenix companies' that let down their small firm creditors only to rise again in a new guise, a business group has said. The...

New skills strategy 'marginalises employers'

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Government's new skills strategy has been accused of opening the door to quangos that will marginalise employers, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)....

Youngest left behind as unemployment growth 'slows'

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The rise in unemployment has slowed to its lowest quarterly rate since May 2008, according to the latest labour market figures. Data released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS)...

'Best October sales growth' for seven years

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Retail sales have posted their best annual growth for October since 2002, according to the latest measure from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). However, the Retail Sales Monitor - produced...

Job market decline 'slowing', says CIPD

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The worst of the redundancies may be over, but the UK's job market "remains flat on its back", according to new research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Produced in...

System to measure office fit-out sustainability

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A system claimed to rate the total environmental impact of office fit-outs has been launched by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Comprising 99 measures - and claimed to assess...

Bank of England pledges extra £25 billion

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Bank of England is to pump an extra £25 billion into the financial system to further stimulate the UK economy. Members of the Bank's nine-strong Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted in favour...

Small business owners "should stop moaning" says Sir Alan

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Sir Alan Sugar has labelled some businesses owners "moaners" who have being 'living in a Disney World'. Sugar, who is the Government's enterprise champion, made the comments at a business...

SMEs optimistic despite declining orders

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

SME confidence is riding at its highest level in two-and-a-half years as firms' order books move towards stabilising, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). While the business...

Apprentices - to hire or not to hire?

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:49:55 +0000

What are the pro and cons for small businesses considering taking on an apprentice?

Loss of local shops 'could damage communities'

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Shoppers fear that losing local stores will damage their communities, according to a new survey. In a poll of over 1,000 people, commissioned by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), 65% of...

Equal Pay Day highlights gender gap

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Women are paid half as much as their male counterparts in some areas of England and Wales, according to an organisation that campaigns for greater equality between the sexes. The Fawcett Society...

Postal strikes 'could cost SMEs £5,000'

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The real cost of the postal strikes to small firms could be as much as £5,000, according to a survey of Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) members. As the second wave of Royal Mail strike action...

'Don't increase tax on small firms', FSB says

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Increasing the tax burden on small firms will lead to higher unemployment, a business group has warned ahead of the Government's pre-Budget report. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is...

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