Business News Articles

Gov ‘must do more to help small firms’
The government are not doing enough to help small and medium-sized businesses, according to the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). The CIM's latest paper says that the range of information, grants and training offered by the Government to small businesses is often not exploited, "because the language and context of how help is delivered does not resonate with the needs of SMEs." The pap... more

SMEs rate their bank as ‘atrocious’
Over 30% of small and medium-sized business owners have rated the helpfulness of their bank in the current economic climate as ‘atrocious', according to a New Business poll. Despite Banks offering schemes such as the Enterprise Finance Guarantee and the Working Capital Scheme many small firms feel that credit has been withdrawn and that there has been a lack of flexibility over overdraft rate... more

Tax regime ‘threatening businesses’
Small and medium-sized business in the UK are worried that the country's tax regime will hinder economic recovery, according to research from accountancy firm MacIntyre Hudson. The research revealed that 80% of small firms think that the UK's tax regime poses a greater threat to the economy than cuts in public spending and, as a result of the tax penalties on high earners, 89% believe Britain w... more

Age no barrier to entrepreneurs
Older entrepreneurs accounted for almost 30% of new business start-ups between 2001 and 2005, according to research conducted by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA). The report revealed that entrepreneurs aged between 50 - 65 year-old started 27% of successful start-ups between 2001 and 2005. "At a time when an ageing society is being viewed as a problem, our ... more

SMEs benefit from 'staycations'
Home businesses have seen their turnover increase due to a rise in the number of people holidaying at home instead of going abroad, according to a survey conducted by Enterprise Nation and Business Link. The survey revealed that 70% of companies reported an increase in revenue due to people holidaying at home and 57% saw an increase in profits. "Home businesses are leading the way in these h... more

Karen Brady to appear in The Apprentice
Lord Alan Sugar has announced that Karen Brady is to replace Margaret Mountford on the television show The Apprentice. Brady has been involved with the show before having been part of a panel that interviewed the final candidates. Ultimo bra founder Michelle Mone and serial entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox had been touted as potential replacements for Mountford, who is perusing a PhD. Brady comm... more

House prices rise 1.7% in July
House prices in the UK have risen by 1.7% in July from June - the biggest monthly increase since July 2004, according to figures released by the Land Registry. Every region in England and Wales recorded a monthly rise in prices, with the average home in the UK now worth £155,000. Despite this prices are still 11% lower in July than they were in the same month in 2008, although the figures a... more

UK economy contracts 0.7%
Britain's economy contracted 0.7% in the second quarter of the year, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. This decline is less than the 0.8% that economists had predicted and the annual drop in GDP was also revised up to show a 5.5% fall - the initial estimates had suggested a 5.6% decline. The British economy has contracted in the second, third and fourth qua... more

Sales fall but retailers are optimistic
High street sales declined for the fourth month in a row in August but retailers are feeling optimistic about their future business prospects, according to research published by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). 34% of retailers reported that sales rose during August compared to 51% that saw a decline. The resulting balance of -16 compares with -15 in July and -17 in both May and Jun... more

Business investment falls at record rate
Business investment in Britain declined 10.4% in the second quarter of the year compared to the first three months - the steepest drop since 1985, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The amount spent by businesses on a range of investments, from new computers to building works, fell to £29.8bn in the second quarter of the year and 18.4% lower than the same p... more