SME Business News

The manufacturing sector saw output rise at the fastest rate in 15 years in the three months to July, as demand for UK-made goods continued to strengthen and firms rebuilt their stocks, the CBI said today. But the UK’s leading business group said that the pace of manufacturing growth is expected to be slower in [...]

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An increase in funds available to small business has been announced by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The EIB aim to increase the funds available by £4bn over the next four years.
Despite funds already being available for the UK’s small business owners, British banks must first apply to the EIB to access the finance. This [...]

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The Federation Of Small Businesses (FSB) have issued the following release of their proposal for a new £1bn Small Business Survival Fund To Save The UK Economy.
The FSB is calling on the Government to take emergency measures to save the millions of small businesses that drive the UK economy in the next two weeks as [...]

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The European sector of the Dell Small Business Excellence Award has been won by a UK business that specialises in the design and creation of environmentally friendly and sustainable gardens.
The company Wiggly Wigglers was recognised as representing the best use of innovative technology in improving their customers experience of the product. They were also praised [...]

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The European Commission has made proposals to allow VAT cuts on labour intensive and locally provided services, a move that could help many small businesses and high street shops.
The commission began a three year experiment in 1999 to see whether reduced rates of VAT in certain sectors would have a positive impact on job creation [...]

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If you have ever considered expanding your business abroad, setting up offices or trading in the global market place, then you may well consider a visit to the upcoming London Foreign Investors Expo, that takes place on June 24 and 25 at London’s Excel Centre.
The FDI Expo 2008 is aimed at companies who are planning [...]

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Hundreds of lorry drivers, many self employed or small business owners, have descended on London’s Marble Arch today, for a rally to protest at rising fuel costs that are driving many out of business.
In conjunction with Transaction 2007, the protesters intend delivering a petition to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, calling for the introduction of an [...]

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The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has hit out at the government over the complexity of the legislation on employing foreign workers in the UK.
Parts of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act, which come into force tomorrow (Friday February 29), will require small employers to understand and verify up to thirteen different forms of identification [...]

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For many years in the UK, we have witnessed the massive growth of supermarket chains decimate the competition from small businesses. By being allowed to develop massive stores out of town, High Street trade in some towns is practically non existent. Not content at that the stores have in a short time turned grocery shopping [...]

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The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), Europe’s largest network of small business support organisations has been launched, the European Commission announced this week.
The EEN is designed to support and help small business owners and entrepreneurs, on a wide range of business issues, including  expanding into other EU countries, launching new products and accessing funding.
The services of [...]

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