SME Business News

Thousands of small businesses could benefit from the measures outlined in the Coalition Government’s document, Programme for Government, according to the Federation of Private Business (FPB).
The FPBs’ reactions to the agreements are positive, however, they have stated that they will be cautious of any veiled proposals. Head of Policy, Matthew Goodman commented: “I’m sure this [...]

[Read more →]

The new coalition government recently announced that Ed Vaizey was to be the new broadband minister, and the Federation of Small Businesses is now already calling on Vaizey to ensure that businesses have access to basic broadband speeds.
It was announced recently that the new broadband minister in the UK was to be Ed Vaizey, and [...]

[Read more →]

Contractors working as sole traders or limited companies in a number of UK industries could be among those finding it more difficult to enter Time to Pay agreements with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
New figures have revealed that HMRC rejected 11.2 per cent of all VAT Time to Pay requests in the first quarter of [...]

[Read more →]

Global information services company Experian reveal UK business insolvencies down 15 per cent
The latest Insolvency Index from Experian®, the global information services company, has revealed a year-on-year fall in business insolvencies during April in the UK.
The total number of insolvencies fell by 15.1 per cent during April compared to the same month last year - [...]

[Read more →]

The Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) has reported on its web site that “It is excellent news that a new government has been formed and this positive step should help reassure businesses that a credible and effective steer on economic policy will be forthcoming, rather than facing the nightmare alternative of [...]

[Read more →]

The ‘tax on jobs’ had been scheduled to take effect in 2011 – when many analysts anticipate small businesses will be seeking to recruit in earnest in order to meet renewed demand.
Although the 1% employers’ NI rise will still affect staff earning more than £20,800, the threshold at which they begin paying NI on employees [...]

[Read more →]

While the recession may officially be over, trading conditions for Britain’s SMEs remain extremely challenging, with 80% of businesses reporting increased late payment over the past six month according to new research commissioned by Hilton-Baird Financial Solutions, in conjunction with Credit Today.
Almost one in three businesses (32%) questioned in the report currently classified 30% or [...]

[Read more →]

In respect of the hung parliament position, the Asset Based Finance Association, ABFA,  has a clear stance:
“The hung parliament result could seriously hurt the UK’s fragile economic recovery, delivering as it does more uncertainty and risk to businesses. At a time when the country is facing its highest debt ever a clear reduction strategy is [...]

[Read more →]

Business leaders are growing increasingly concerned about the prospect of a hung parliament, which they fear will be too indecisive to take the tough decisions ahead. They also believe VAT will go up after the election, but would prefer that to a National Insurance rise, according to research carried out by the British Chambers of [...]

[Read more →]