Business News Articles

Family men do most overtime
Men with children are the most likely group to put in unpaid overtime, according to research by the TUC. The organisation found that men with children put in an average of 8.3 hours a week over time. Women without children were the next most likely, ahead of men without children and working mothers. ... more

Family firms face tax clampdown
Family firms are facing a government clampdown on the practice of income-shifting that could affect up to 300,000 companies. The practice involves couples who jointly own a company splitting the profits between them in such a way as to minimise their tax exposure. ... more

Google is UK’s top brand
Internet search engine Google has been voted the top brand in the UK by 1,500 marketing professional in a survey by branding specialist Superbrands. Google is followed in the list of brands with the best reputation by Microsoft, BP and the BBC, which took top spot in 2007. ... more

Online boost for retail sales
Internet shoppers spent more online than in any other January and the total spend was 75% higher than in 2007, according to new figures. IMRG Capgemini e-retail sales index revealed that £4.5bn was spent online in January, with electrical goods and clothes the most popular categories. ... more

High street sales rise in January
Falling retail prices helped high street sales pick up more than expected in January, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The data revealed that sales grew by 0.8% in January after falling by 0.2% in December as the impact of the credit crunch took hold. ... more

Employees downbeat over benefits
One in three UK employees expects to take a cut in their total pay package this year, while a tenth also expect their company pension to suffer. According to research by pensions and employee benefits consultancy Hymans Robertson, there is a divide between low employee expectations and the optimistic view expressed by many HR managers. ... more

Small firms predict online growth
The vast majority of small businesses predict significant online growth in 2008 despite the challenging economic circumstances. Research carried out by Loudhouse Research on behalf of business ISP Star Technology Services suggests that 85% of small business owners anticipate a rise in their online sales. ... more

Outsourcing deals fail on strategy
Outsourcing deals tend to meet cost targets but fail to meet strategic objectives, according to a report by IT services consultancy Deloitte. According to the survey, 89% of companies reported at least a 25% return on their investment. But the report also claims many companies are disappointed with providers' overall ability to achieve continuous process and technology developments.... more

Government warned on small firms
A leading accountancy body has warned the government not to ignore small businesses when it formulates enterprise policy. ACCA has sent a letter to ministers at the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) pointing out that small businesses are the "real creators of employment, wealth and economic growth in the UK". ... more

Warning over sex assault cases
Employers should brace themselves for a rise in sexual assault claims after a recent ruling by the House of Lords, a legal expert has warned. Brian Rogers, operations director at Manchester law firm Lewis Hymanson Small, believes the decision to allow courts to decide if cases older than six years can go ahead. ... more