Apprenticeships to see reduction in red tape

The administrative burdens of taking on apprentices are to be cut, the government has announced.[more]

Smaller firms need extra help to win public sector contracts

The government has been urged to introduce special measures to help the smallest of firms pitch for public sector business.[more]

Ad campaign to remind employers of new migrant worker rules

An ad campaign is to roll out on national television highlighting the new rules governing immigration that come into force in November. [more]

Threat of recession facing UK economy

There is a danger that the UK economy could experience two successive quarters of negative growth between now and next spring, the British Chambers of Commerce has forecast. That would amount to a technical recession. With unemployment also predicted to rise to a ten-year high, the BCC has urged the Bank of England to cut interest rates as a way of stimulating consumer activity and heading off an even sharper downturn. [more]

The Credit Crunch IV: Business profitability

Staying profitable during the credit crunch.[more]

The Credit Crunch III: Business cashflow

Keeping control of cashflow in difficult trading conditions.[more]

The Credit Crunch II: Household and personal finances

Managing personal finances during the credit crunch.[more]

The Credit Crunch I: How it began

It is a year since the term ‘credit crunch’ became a familiar one. The financial turmoil has had a serious impact on individuals and businesses alike. There are, however, steps that can be taken to help weather the economic uncertainty, as the following series of articles examines. [more]

Commons Committee gives support to vehicle excise duty increases

A Parliamentary Committee has come out in support of government proposals to raise vehicle excise duty on older cars. Its report suggested, however, that the differences between the various tax bands are not sufficient to encourage people to buy less polluting vehicles. [more]

Firms urged to prepare for payroll changes

Employers are to get a letter from HM Revenue and Customs explaining the new tax codes and rate bands that must be used from the first payday on or after 7 September. The changes are the result of the new personal allowance for 2008/09 which was introduced by the Chancellor to compensate for the abolition of the 10p tax rate. [more]

New rules on disclosing VAT errors

For many years, taxpayers discovering net errors on previous returns have only been allowed to make an adjustment to the VAT return for the period in which they discover them if the net errors were up to £2,000. [more]