More employees than ever planning to work longer

The effect of the recession on pensions, savings, investments and property values has pushed up the number of people who are contemplating longer working lives, a new study has revealed. ..[more]

VAT online service gets update

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said that its VAT online service has been updated in preparation for the new rules coming into force next April. ..[more]

Recession could herald major changes in the business landscape

The ramifications of the credit crunch and the recession could have a profound impact on how UK businesses operate in the future. ..[more]

HMRC publishes tax charter

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has launched its taxpayers’ charter. ..[more]

Government launches drive to raise skill levels

The government has set out details of a new drive to improve skills in the UK workforce. ..[more]

Firms finding it harder than ever to secure finance

Increasing numbers of small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to access the finance they need in order to grow. ..[more]

Concerns over cap on business rate increases

Business groups have expressed disappointment over the government’s scheme for dampening the impact of the business rates increase set for next April...[more]

Keep new business regulations on hold and review red tape

There should be a freeze on new business legislation until the government has had the chance to assess the effects of red tape on smaller firms...[more]

HMRC publishes tax charter

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has launched its taxpayers’ charter...[more]

Workplace stress is costing employers dear

A new report has called on employers to devote more resources to combating stress and anxiety at work...[more]

HMRC announces 'light touch' approach to VAT rate change

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said that it will apply a ‘light touch’ if businesses make mistakes on their returns following the forthcoming change in the standard rate of VAT. ..[more]

New EU rules on refunds could 'affect' consumer confidence

The rules that allow consumers to get their money back on faulty goods could be at risk because of proposed European changes, it has been claimed, and any change may harm consumer confidence. ..[more]

Chancellor called on to drop IR35 rules

Alistair Darling has been urged to scrap the IR35 regime. ..[more]

Job losses predicted to continue into the recovery

Employers look set to shed more jobs in the final quarter of the year, suggesting that the UK labour market will remain under pressure even as the economy emerges from the downturn. ..[more]

Employee training system needs 'reform'

There needs to be a redirection of government-funded training programmes, the CBI has argued, if the UK economy is both to recover and thrive. ..[more]

Apprentices ‘deserve’ minimum wage

All apprentices should be paid an hourly national minimum wage, the TUC has said. ..[more]

Consumer confidence shows signs of recovery

Confidence among UK consumers, although still fragile, is at its highest for some 18 months. ..[more]

Service sector registers strongest performance for two years

The UK’s services industry has posted its best growth figures since the end of the summer of 2007, a new survey has claimed. ..[more]

Job vacancies on the increase

Both permanent and temporary job vacancies showed a rise last month. ..[more]

Don't cut spending at expense of business support, says FPB

The government should not reduce its support for businesses when it comes to deciding where public spending cuts must be made but should do more to ease the tax burden on smaller firms. ..[more]

Businesses may get extra time for VAT repricing

The government is considering whether to allow businesses more time to update price labels in shops once the rate of VAT reverts to 17.5 per cent at the end of the year. ..[more]

More part-time jobs needed

Employers that advertise full-time vacancies in job centres may be encouraged to allow part-time workers and job sharers to apply for them. ..[more]

Regulations still ‘burdensome’, say businesses

Firms believe that complying with business regulations has not become any easier or any less time-consuming, a new survey has revealed. ..[more]

Think-tank proposes green taxes to combat climate change

The UK’s tax system requires £150 billion worth of green taxes if the country is to play its part in curbing carbon emissions, it has been argued. ..[more]