Pay apprentices more, urges business group

Apprenticeships should be rewarded with a pay rise and should be given more government support, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has argued...[more]

Banks get warning on small business lending

The UK’s major banks could be faced with a competition enquiry if they do not step up the level of lending to SMEs and reduce its cost. ..[more]

High Court hearing for retirement age case

A case contesting the right of employers to force workers to retire at 65 has reached the High Court. ..[more]

Review urges firms to engage with their employees

An independent review has said that involving employees fully in the future of their firms will help businesses to innovate and take advantage of new opportunities...[more]

Small business internships would help graduate employment

The government has been urged to create 5,000 graduate internships in smaller businesses as a way of combating rising unemployment among those leaving university...[more]

Billions earmarked for VAT overpayment claims

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is facing £8.5 billion in claims for overpaid VAT...[more]

Incorrect tax codes affect millions of employees

There has been a rise in the number of queries that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has received concerning incorrect employee tax codes...[more]

Drop in sick leave at private sector firms

Employees working for private firms are taking less time off sick, a new report has revealed...[more]

Government asks for views on business rates relief scheme

A consultation has been launched on a £2 billion relief scheme aimed at helping businesses cope with rises in their rates bills. ..[more]

New tax measures could harm business

Increases in business and personal tax pose a risk to the health of the UK economy, a survey has suggested...[more]

Small firms warned to prepare for rise in flu numbers

Small employers have been offered a series of tips on how best to cope with any large increase in swine flu cases...[more]

New accountancy rules on leasing may hit small firms

Many thousands of smaller businesses could see an increase in their administrative burdens if new accounting rules on leasing come into effect, it has been claimed...[more]

‘Inconsistent’ lending policies hampering small business borrowing

Small firms are failing to secure finance because banks are not being consistent in their lending policies...[more]

Review could signal end of compulsory retirement age

The government’s announcement that it is to bring forward a planned review of the default retirement age could mean that employers may lose the right to force staff to retire at 65...[more]

VAT dos and don’ts

Tips on managing your VAT...[more]

Increasing your cashflow

There is a lot more to cashflow management than simply avoiding crises...[more]

New tax raising powers for local authorities ‘worrying’

A leading business group has described new powers that will enable local authorities to charge additional rates as “deeply worrying”...[more]

Consumer advocate should be truly ‘independent’

Government plans to create the post of a consumer advocate tasked with co-ordinating efforts to educate consumers on their rights have been given a cautious welcome...[more]

Employment rules most ‘expensive’ for small firms

Complying with employment law is the costliest bureaucratic burden faced by small firms, a new survey has claimed...[more]

Trade credit insurance claims on the rise

There has been a significant rise in the value of trade insurance claims compared with a year ago...[more]

Worst of recession over but recovery will be tough

The economy may be emerging from the depths of the recession but firms will still encounter difficulties on the road to recovery, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said...[more]

CBI proposes alternative to redundancy

A radical alternative to laying off staff could see workers, whose firms are suffering a fall in demand, paid to remain at home...[more]

Managing your most valuable assets – your employees

No matter how much cash you have in the bank or how large your stock is, your company’s most valuable assets will always be your employees...[more]

Equal pay ruling in favour of male employees

An Employment Appeal Tribunal has made a landmark ruling in the case of 300 male employees claiming equal pay with women...[more]

Employers give backing to training scheme

Train to Gain, the government’s flagship skills programme, has won the support of employers, according to a new survey...[more]

Scrap right to enforce retirement at 65, says Committee

Employers should lose the entitlement to force employees to retire at 65, the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee has argued...[more]

Government plans capital fund for small hi-tech firms

The government has announced details of a venture capital fund designed to support small technology businesses...[more]

Manufacturing needs more direct state support

A manifesto has called on the government to place the manufacturing sector at the centre of a better balanced and more diverse UK economy...[more]

Ease tax burdens to boost recovery, government urged

The UK’s small business sector is experiencing tentative signs of a recovery, according to a new survey...[more]

Extra tax relief would encourage private business investment

An increase in tax incentives would act as a spur to business angels who are thinking of investing in start-up businesses, it has been claimed...[more]

Business lending sees record drop

Many firms are still experiencing the effects of the credit crunch, with business lending suffering its biggest drop in nine years...[more]