Business News Articles

New initiative launched by British Franchise Association
The British Franchise Association (bfa) have launched a new initiative to enable consumers to better identify suppliers, shops, services and general businesses that are ethically franchised, while giving them a more informed choice of who they buy from. The ‘Proud to Franchise' scheme will provide consumers with more information to help them make informed decisions about purchasing. "Our m... more

10% of homes ‘in negative equity'
More than one in ten British homeowners have entered negative equity, with their property now worth less than the value of their homes, according to data released by the Bank of England. The Bank's quarterly survey revealed that the collapse of house prices has meant that around one million households have fallen into negative equity. Rising negative equity can damage the economy as homeowne... more

Inflation expectations in line with Bank of England target
The public's inflation expectations are close to the Bank of England's target of 2%, according to a survey by the Bank and market researchers GfK NOP. The research revealed that the public expect prices to rise by 2.4% over the next 12 months from May this year. The expected inflation rate reached a peak of 4.4% in August last year, when the full extent of the economic problems was beginning to... more

Sterling reaches highest level against euro this year
Sterling has risen to its highest level against the euro since the start of the year, boosting hopes that the UK recession may be ending. Recently released figures by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research showed that the economy grew in April and May. The rise in April was the first monthly increase in over a year. The pound's rise was also aided by a survey on attitudes to ... more

Industrial growth rises for first time in over a year
The UK experienced its first growth in industrial output for more than a year in April, according to official figures released by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR). The economy grew by 0.1% in May and 0.2% in April after contracting 0.5% in March. The NIESR also reported that the output of the UK economy has fallen by 5% between the beginning of the recession in Ma... more

BBC ‘in talks’ with Sir Alan over new government job
The BBC is engaged in talks with Apprentice star Sir Alan Sugar over his new government role to ensure that the channel's impartiality is not compromised. The Conservatives have complained that the BBC's rules state that its presenters must be politically neutral. Shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt commented that Sugar "needs to make a choice." The BBC are engaged in discussions with Sir A... more

Only 50% of staff say their boss is a good leader
Only half of employees think that their boss is a good leader, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by Impact International. The survey also revealed that only 25% of staff think that their employer has adapted their leadership style to take account of the current economic climate. When asked about what traits a good business leader should possess 62% of staff listed communication skill... more

Government extend credit insurance scheme
The government has announced that it is backdating eligibility for its £5bn trade credit insurance scheme by six months to include suppliers who have had their cover reduced since October 2008. A major problem for small businesses during the recession has been the withdrawal of trade credit insurance, which protects companies against a buyer defaulting on payments for goods and services. "T... more

New ruling means workers will accrue holiday while on sick leave
Employees on long-term sick leave will be entitled to take all holiday that they have accrued when they return to work, the House of Lords ruled yesterday. Small business owners have criticised the ruling, which means that someone who had been on sick leave for two years would be entitled to around 40 days of paid holiday on their return. "Allowing workers to accrue statutory paid holiday en... more

Union votes for 48-hour Tube strike
The entire Tube network will shut down for 48-hours from 7pm on the 9th of June, causing chaos for businesses in the capital and costing the London economy an estimated £100m. Talks aimed at ending the dispute over pay and conditions between the RMT Union and London Underground broke down last night, meaning that the 3m people that use the network daily will have to use alternative travel rout... more