Taxpayers' charter must be 'founded' in legislation

The proposed new taxpayers' charter must have a proper legal basis.[more]

Downturn exacerbating late payment problems

Late payments are posing more of a threat than ever to small businesses in the current economic climate, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has argued. [more]

Businesses welcome retirement age decision

Business groups have expressed relief at the decision of a senior adviser at the European Court of Justice to reject a challenge to the right of UK employers to set a compulsory retirement age for employees.

Campaigners supporting the case had argued that forcing someone to retire is age discrimination. However, the court's advocate-general ruled that a fixed retirement age does not necessarily break EU regulations. [more]

Town centre parking policies need 'rethink'

Local authorities have been urged to reconsider their parking policies.[more]

2008/09 Financial Planning Guide

This year there has been a wide range of changes to the tax system. Further the Government has announced future changes that will continue to see taxes increase. With the reduced rate of economic growth and the impact of the credit crunch taking effect, a review of your financial and tax planning is important. Maximising your net income, business and family assets should be high on everyone's agenda.[more]

Government urged to adopt rate relief measures

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the government to implement two important business rate measures that would help small businesses cope with the current challenging economic conditions. [more]

Economy to experience 'shallow' recession

The UK economy will suffer a moderate recession this year, the CBI has forecast. Growth in the second half of 2008 will fall, the employers' group said, while next year will see only weak expansion. However, the CBI said it believes that inflation will return to close to its target of 2 per cent in 2009 and that the Bank of England will opt to cut interest rates, perhaps as early as November, in an effort to restore business confidence. [more]

Small firms get minimum wage reminder

Small employers are being urged to make sure that they comply with changes to minimum wage rates due to come into effect in October. [more]

More employers embrace flexible working

Increasing numbers of firms are adopting flexible working patterns, a new survey from the CBI has found. According to the survey, there have been significant rises in those employees who work from home, as well as in term-time working and job sharing. However, the poll also revealed that businesses are concerned about the effects that additional employment regulation may have on the flexibility of the labour market.[more]

PAYE & National Insurance

Why pay more tax and NI contributions than you need to? We can help you to minimise your liabilities, while ensuring that you comply with your obligations. Just view our PAYE and NI guides to find out more.[more]

More small firms experience problems finding finance

Increasing numbers of small firms are struggling to secure funding for their business operations, a new survey has claimed.[more]

Training rights exemption urged for small businesses

The government should take steps to minimise any extra administrative burdens on smaller employers if it goes ahead with plans to give employees the right to request time off for training. [more]

Guidance to help firms avert equal pay tribunal claims

A free guide has been launched that could help employers safeguard themselves against tribunal claims on equal pay issues. The guide has been put together by Acas and its aim is to provide employers with practical advice on how best to make sure that their wage structures are fair to all their staff. [more]

Call for tax changes to help retailers

The government has been urged to introduce a number of changes to the tax regime in order to help retailers cope with the economic downturn. [more]

Tax reforms needed to cut business waste, says Lords

More action is required to reduce the amount of waste produced by businesses, a House of Lords committee has argued.[more]

Business views sought on handling flexible working requests

Employers have been invited to give their views on how the administrative burden of dealing with employee requests for flexible working can be eased. The government plans to extend the right to request flexible working to parents of children aged 16 and under. To simplify the proposed regulations, a consultation has been launched to find ways of making the request process less time consuming for businesses. [more]