Business News Articles

Almost 50% of staff resignations due to poor management
Almost 50% of staff that resign from their jobs do so because they disagree with their company's management style, according to a poll by BT Business. Research carried out by BT shows that 42% of employees left their last jobs because they felt that their managers used outdated management methods and that they were constantly supervised. 25% of respondents stated that the use of management s... more

Online sales increase 13%
Online sales in the UK increased by 13% in February, according to research conducted by online retail research group IMRG Capgemini. The online sector is one of the best performing in the UK economy and has been growing rapidly over the last few years - highlighting the importance for small businesses to establish an online presence. Although online sales actually declined in February from t... more

Airlines not offering adequate compensation for mishandled bags
Over 42m bags were lost in UK airports in 2007 and passengers are often only awarded compensation of less than a tenth of the value of their possessions, according to consumer watchdog Air Transport Users Council (AUC). The number of bags lost increased from an estimated 34m in 2006, and since a change in passengers' rights several years ago airlines are liable to pay up to £1,049 in compensat... more

Banks raise minimum deposit levels by thousands of pounds
Several banks in the UK are only offering high interest high-street savings accounts to customers that deposit tens of thousands of pounds. Abbey, Alliance & Leicester and Bradford & Bingley recently launched a two-year bond that pays out at 4% but is only available to customers who invest at least £30,000. Allied Irish Bank and Investec are offering accounts that pay 0.5% on money held but... more

Average of 10 jobseekers for every vacancy advertised in UK
There is an average of ten jobseekers for every job advertised in UK job centres, according to the Trade Union Congress (TUC). This ratio has more than doubled over the past year - in January 2008 these was only four applications for every vacancy. In some areas of the country the outlook is even worse; The Isle of Wight is the worst hit area with 60 applications for every available space in... more

Air France-KLM one of the winners at Business Travel World Awards
Air France-KLM group was one of the winners at the 2009 Business Travel World Awards, being named best short-haul travel provider. The airline beat of stiff competition from British Airways and high-speed rail operator Eurostar. "Receiving the award in such a challenging time for the industry has a greater value than at any other time as it shows that the industry recognises and endorses our... more

'Business failures to rise 59% this year' say BDO Stoy Hayward
One out of every 56 businesses in the UK is expected to cease trading this year, according to research conducted by accounting firm BDO Stoy Hayward. The firm have predicted that business failures will increase by 59% and that by the end of the year 36,000 companies will have collapsed - up from 22,600 in 2007. "The deteriorating economy and expectations of a drawn out recession has led to a... more

Small firm owners most cautious in employing young women
Small business owners are the most cautious company owners when it comes to hiring young women, according to a survey by recruitment agency HireScores.com. The survey found that 49% of business owners take into account a candidate's age and gender with 81% admitting they would ask female job seekers their future and current family plans if the law permitted. Employment laws prevent these typ... more

HMRC issue incorrect notices
HM Revenue and Customs has issued thousands of incorrect penalty notices for late personal and partnership tax returns. Firm Baker Tilly have stated that clients whose returns were filed before the January 31st deadline received incorrect notices and that when they complained the HMRC replied that the complaint would be, "added to the growing pile." "The £100 penalty, albeit small financial... more

RoSPA conference aims to cut staff road accidents
Road accidents involving someone who is at work at the time and transport accidents are the two biggest causes of work-related fatalities in the UK, and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) will focus on these issues at its May conference. RoSPA's Practical Transport Solutions conference on May 14 at the Hilton in Birmingham will address both issues and provide practical ad... more