Health and safety at work shows some improvement

Figures released by the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) have revealed a drop in the number of people injured or made ill at work.[more]

Forum to allow small businesses to meet banks

The government is to set up a special forum at which small businesses will be able to meet the UK’s major banks and to voice criticisms of lending policies.[more]

Welcome for government’s small business support package

The business community has welcomed the government’s announcement of a series of measures designed to help smaller firms survive the economic downturn. [more]

Banking rescue deal offers boost to small businesses

The government’s commitment to plough £37 billion into a number of high street banks should bring hope of easier finance to the small business community.[more]

Financial turmoil feeding through to small business sector

Small firms have experienced increased costs, a loss of trade, hikes in the cost of borrowing and growing late payment problems over the last year. Those were the findings of a snap survey carried out by the Federation of Small Businesses. The business organisation said that the credit crunch was trickling through to the small enterprise community and urged banks to up their lending and large companies to settle invoices on time. [more]

Bank fears over lending could pose problems for small firms

The reluctance of banks to lend during the credit crunch could be having an adverse effect on small businesses. According to the Forum of Private Business, reports have indicated that high street banks are cutting back on services to small enterprises at precisely a time when, with the economy slowing down, funding is needed most.
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