Reduce your utility costs

Utilities can account for a sizeable chunk of your firm’s costs, but you might find that you can make considerable savings in this area...[more]

Business reaction to the Budget

The general consensus among the business community is that, while the 2009 Budget contained some useful measures, it did not do enough to tackle the problems facing both the economy and individual firms...[more]

Individual savings accounts

The ISA limit will be raised to £10,200, up to £5,100 of which
can be saved in cash..[more]

Extension of trading loss carry back for businesses

The government has given some relief to businesses suffering from the effects of the recession by allowing current losses to be carried back against profits of the previous three accounting periods...[more]

Small businesses ‘to get Budget help’ on credit risk

The Chancellor will use next week’s Budget to announce plans to help smaller firms deal with the problems of credit risk, it has been reported...[more]

Capital allowances

The Chancellor has announced a new temporary rate of first year
allowance on plant and machinery of 40 per cent...[more]

Comprehensive Budget Coverage

Our website contains comprehensive coverage of the key measures
contained in the 2009 Budget. This is based on the press releases
published immediately after the Chancellor's speech...[more]

Tax charter fails to meet needs of taxpayers

The draft of the taxpayers’ charter, which sets out the rights and responsibilities of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and taxpayers, has been described as “inadequate”...[more]

Call for SME asset finance tax support

The Chancellor should use the Budget to provide small firms with greater scope for offsetting profits against money spent on equipment...[more]

VAT cut has ‘boosted’ spending

Last December’s reduction in VAT from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent has had a measurable effect on consumer spending, a think tank has claimed...[more]

Small business lending needs greater ‘scrutiny’

The government has been urged to clarify the levels of lending that banks are making to small businesses...[more]

Small businesses ‘to get Budget help’ on credit risk

The Chancellor will use next week’s Budget to announce plans to help smaller firms deal with the problems of credit risk, it has been reported...[more]

Business group urges automatic rates relief

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on the government to make the rates relief to which small firms are entitled automatic...[more]

Temporary savings deposits may get more protection

Savers who deposit large sums into their accounts could get a short-term increase in the level of protection guaranteed their money should the bank or building society get into difficulty...[more]

Minimum wage should be ‘frozen’ to save jobs

With the national minimum wage marking its tenth anniversary this week, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has called for a freeze in any increase this year...[more]

VAT flat rate scheme

This scheme is designed to reduce the cost of complying with VAT obligations by simplifying the way small businesses calculate their VAT...[more]

Business concerned by regulatory budgets decision

Plans that would have seen government departments limited by budgetary scrutiny in the amount of regulation they could produce each year have been put on hold, disappointing business groups...[more]

Raising finance for your business

Raising finance for businesses following the credit crunch and the recession is challenging to say the least. It requires careful planning and good professional advice...[more]

Tax breaks 'needed' to boost business investment

The Chancellor is being urged to use the forthcoming Budget to introduce tax measures that will encourage business investment...[more]

Action required to enable firms to retain staff

More needs to be done by the government to help smaller employers hold on to their staff during the recession...[more]

No progress in EU working time opt-out talks

Talks between government officials and MEPs at a meeting of the EU’s conciliation committee have failed to find a solution to differences over proposed changes to the Working Time Directive...[more]

Make the most of staff appraisals

It is important to hold regular staff appraisals even if you have just one employee...[more]

Essential record keeping

How to reduce the time taken in accounts preparation...[more]

Government announces simplified business support service

Businesses will find it easier and quicker to gain access to government support schemes under a new simplified system...[more]

Major overhaul proposed for rules on parental leave

Radical changes to the regulations on maternity and paternity leave have been put forward that could see new fathers getting more paid time off work...[more]

Business and personal tax changes introduced

As well as changes to the rules governing employers and businesses, this April's common commencement date also introduces some amendments to the tax system...[more]

New business regulations come into effect

The arrival of April marks one of the year’s two common commencement dates and, with it, a raft of changes to business rules and regulations...[more]

Fuel tax increase ups the cost of petrol

The deferred increase in fuel duty has finally reached the petrol pumps...[more]

Business rates rise to be staggered over three years

Businesses have been given a reprieve from the 5 per cent rates rise due this month...[more]

National Insurance planning

Useful tips on managing your National Insurance payments...[more]

Measuring employee effectiveness

If you want to improve your profitability you need to measure employee performance regularly...[more]

EU discussions begin on UK working time opt-out

Talks have started in Brussels on whether the UK is to retain its opt-out from the EU’s Working Time Directive...[more]

Budget must 'address' small business confidence

The 2009 Budget, which will be delivered on 22 April, must focus on improving business confidence, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has said...[more]