Economy Grows At Fastest Rate Since Before Financial Crisis
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK economy grew by 0.7 per cent in the last quarter of 2013, bringing the annual growth rate to 1.9 per cent, the fastest rate of growth since 2007.Continue reading
Red Tape For SMEs To Be Cut
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has pledged today (January 27) that thousands of rules affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are to be scrapped or amended.Continue reading
Self-Employment On The Rise
According to figures published this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of people becoming self-employed is rising sharply, with nearly 150,000 individuals starting up as their own boss towards the end of 2013.Continue reading
Unemployment Rate Almost Reaches Bank’s Rate Raising Marker
The rate of unemployment in the UK fell to 7.1 per cent yesterday (January 22), almost reaching the level at which the Bank of England said it would consider raising interest rates.Continue reading
Going For Growth
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised the UK’s economic growth forecast for 2014 from 1.9 per cent to 2.4 per cent, a higher estimate than for any other major European country.Continue reading
Tax Rules for Tech Firms Not Viable
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development have recently suggested that rules designed to close tax loopholes used predominately by technology companies are not viable, due to the ever-growing digital presence within large parts of the economy.Continue reading
Fewer Firms Being Wound Up
The number of petitions being issued by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to wind-up firms has fallen dramatically in the past year, taking the practice to the lowest level of usage in five years. Continue reading
Chancellor Behind Increase In Minimum Wage
In what may be seen by some as an about turn, the Chancellor George Osborne announced yesterday (January 16) that he is in favour of an above-inflation rise in the minimum wage from the current level of £6.31 for adults aged 21 and above.Continue reading
All Change!
The Switch Guarantee, which is the new current account switching service, saw a 17 per cent increase year-on-year in customers switching banks during the last quarter of 2013.Continue reading
Penalties For Employers Paying Less Than The Minimum Wage
Employers who fail to pay workers the minimum wage could face fines of up to £20,000 in new plans announced by the Government, who are working closely with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on the issue.Continue reading
Can we help? Talk to our expert team