Banks losing touch with what SMEs want
A new study has revealed that the relationship between retail banks and their small and medium sized business (SMEs) customers is weakening.Continue reading
Rising inflation and pension deficits could have an impact on pay levels
Employee pay will return to pre-crisis levels by 2017 if current economic trends continue, a think tank has predicted; however, rising inflation and pension deficits risk pushing the prediction off-course.Continue reading
UK’s housebuilding stalls meaning a reduction in construction sector activity
The UK economic recovery could stall following the news that the construction sector has slowed, in addition to a slowdown in manufacturing.Continue reading
Living Wage plans continue to raise questions
Businesses have become embroiled in a growing row with ministers over plans to introduce a National Living Wage.Continue reading
British Chamber of Commerce ups its GDP forecast for the UK
According to the latest forecast from the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), the UK’s GDP is set to go up by 0.3 per cent for 2015 thanks to an increase in activity in the services sector and a growth in consumer spending.Continue reading
Problem debt could be holding back economic recovery, says new report
The number of households struggling with problem debt grew by a quarter in two years, as stagnating wages forced a growing number to borrow money.Continue reading
Employers’ fears over new living wage has a major impact on UK labour market
A new survey by Manpower – the staffing and recruitment firm – has shown that more firms are changing their recruitment plans in order to avoid the new £7.20 minimum wage rate for employees aged over 25.Continue reading
Poor summer weather produces mixed results for UK businesses
The recent weather has been responsible for the wettest end to any summer for the last 50 years in parts of the country, according to the Met Office, which has produced mixed financial results for British businesses.Continue reading
SMEs feel good about their future prospects
A new study seems to confirm there is an increasing sense of optimism among the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises.Continue reading
Support grows for high business rate charges to be scrapped for shops with ATMs
The ATM industry is asking the UK Government to reverse its policy on applying business rate valuations to ATM machines that are built into the front of shops, especially in rural locations where they often provide the only way for people to access cash.Continue reading
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