Latest News

Concern grows over business rates

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:53:16 +0000

The British Property Federation is the latest in a growing list of voices calling on the government to cap the annual business rates increase at two per cent to help struggling firms.

Strikes to affect self-assessment tax deadline

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:35:15 +0000

A series of strikes by tax staff on January 31st – deadline for self-assessors – is set to disrupt the end of the application window.

Has the Business Software Alliance breached the Bribery Act?

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:33:55 +0000

An anti-piracy body has become embroiled in a row over the Bribery Act.

Govt signals support to start-ups

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:32:02 +0000

The government has thrown its support behind people looking to make new UK company formations with the launch of a new campaign.

Small firms need better access to finance

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:07:12 +0000

Small businesses are still being hampered by a lack of access to finance, it has been claimed.

HMRC to pull paper VAT returns from April

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:19:31 +0000

All VAT-registered businesses will be required to submit their VAT returns online from April 2012, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced.

What should start-ups look for in a van?

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:18:09 +0000

For many new UK company formations, logistics will be one of their first concerns.

Start-ups to be offered government buildings

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:07:17 +0000

People making UK company formations will be allowed to use empty government buildings at low rents under proposals set to be announced by David Cameron.

Training and work-life balance should be key considerations for start-ups

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:06:10 +0000

New UK company formations need to place considerable emphasis on training and staff wellbeing, especially among younger workers, new research suggests.

Profit warnings jump by 70%

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:22:20 +0000

The number of UK firms issuing profit warnings soared in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a report.

New data management rules set to be proposed

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:21:46 +0000

New European Rules on how big companies handle internet users' personal data put the onus on firms to ensure they have a firm handle on their data protection policies.

UK company formations on the rise

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:29:23 +0000

The number of people making new UK company formations is on the rise in the UK, according to figures.

Accounting software benefits 'immediate'

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:03:10 +0000

Companies looking to improve the way they deal with their tax and accounting have been urged to think about automating it.

December modest month for UK company formations

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:39:36 +0000

There was only a modest increase in new UK company formations in December 2011, according to figures from Companies House.

Many firms 'value school-leavers over graduates'

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:20:07 +0000

UK firms are increasingly valuing the work ethic of school-leavers rather than graduates, according to new research. One in five employers surveyed by Adecco said they thought school-leavers make better workers than graduates. The survey of 1,000 firms found that over half believe university graduates had "unrealistic expectations" of working life. One in three argued the education system was failing to equip young people with the skills required by British business. Those new to the working world were found to lack interpersonal and computer skills, while one in four employers reported a lack of basic literacy and numeracy among graduates. Adecco urged the education system, employers and the government to tackle "substantial shortcomings" in workplace skills. Chris Moore, from Adecco Group, said: "Undeniably, Britain has one of the best and most advanced education systems in the world but it must deliver a talented, reliable graduate workforce that brings demonstrable value to UK plc. "On a significant scale, employers believe it is failing to do that."

Wales set for rise in company formations

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:02:36 +0000

A trial project to encourage more people to make UK company formations has been launched in Wales.

Start-ups: Employee communication vital

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:01:31 +0000

Taking on new staff will be an important consideration for anyone thinking of making new UK company formations.

Hospitality sees spike in insolvencies

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:41:06 +0000

The number of insolvencies in the UK hospitality and leisure industry spiked in the last quarter of 2011, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Some 375 businesses failed in the three months to December, up 30 per cent on the same period in 2010, when 289 companies went bust. insolvencies dropped in the fourth quarter of 2010 from the previous quarter, but there was a 12 per cent increase in 2011, the analysis found. In the last three months of 2010, there were 70 insolvencies across the bar sector, rising to 92 in the final quarter of last year. In the restaurant sector the number of insolvencies jumped from 134 in lat quarter of 2010 to 190 in the fourth quarter of 2011. David Chubb, PwC business recovery partner and hospitality and leisure specialist, said: "Q4 would normally be seen as a good time for bars and restaurants because of the festive season so it is worrying that both these sectors saw a marked increase in the number of insolvencies." Across all sectors, total corporate insolvency numbers continued to decline in Q4 2011, down from 4,042 in the previous quarter to 3,759, a drop of seven per cent.

HMRC clamps down on tax fraud

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:39:42 +0000

The most serious tax offenders could face prison under a new facility launched by HM Revenue & Customs as part of its ongoing efforts to control serious fraud.

HMRC to trial new tax dispute service

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:26:44 +0000

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is to trial a new way of resolving tax disputes between itself and small firms.

Study links skyscrapers to financial crashes

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:37:36 +0000

Financial crashes often happen after skyscrapers are built, according to research by Barclays Capital.

Small firms 'failing to capitalise' on online marketing

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:36:32 +0000

UK small firms are failing to capitalise on digital marketing despite recognising the platform's "enormous benefits", according to research by a PR firm.

Online retailers urged to act now on cookie compliance

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:08:05 +0000

Online retailers need to start putting plans in place now to ensure they conform to new laws on cookies, it has been claimed.

Taxpayers urged to watch out for tax phishing scam

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:07:20 +0000

Taxpayers are being warned not to fall victim to fake rebate emails from fraudsters sent out as the deadline for self assessment looms.

David Cameron: Start-ups to fuel growth

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:01:35 +0000

David Cameron believes the UK's economic growth will be driven by start-ups.