Latest News
Rate cut should be 1%
The monetary policy committee should cut rates to one per cent this Thursday but this alone will be inadequate and should be backed up with other, far-reaching policies, one organisation states.
Businesses should conduct health checks
Firms should conduct a company MOT to ensure they are maximising cashflow, marketing and business opportunities and are able to survive the current tough conditions.
Lack of credit 'could lead to 1930's-level recession'
The lack of credit is the biggest concern facing businesses in 2009 and could lead to the recession reaching levels seen in the 1930s, one expert asserts.
£6m for charitable small businesses
The Bank of Scotland has launched a £6 million fund to help entrepreneurial not-for-profit organisations survive and grow in the credit crunch.
Business rate rise slated
Business rates will increase to five per cent next year, a move which will hit firms at the worst time, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Importers hit as pound reaches record low against euro
Businesses importing from Europe could be seriously hit as the pound plunges to an all-time low against the euro.
Barclays increases business lending
Barclays has made an extra £1.5 billion available to small business, saying it plans to increase lending to firms by ten per cent.
BBA releases new entrepreneur statement
The British Bankers Association (BBA) has released a new statement detailing how financial institutions will help small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Pre-Christmas insolvencies rise
More businesses are declaring pre-Christmas insolvencies as many firms have to slash costs to remain competitive, according to new figures.
Darling to put pressure on banks
Chancellor Alistair Darling is renewing a bid to get banks lending to businesses, saying the financial institutions are not currently doing enough.
Businesses 'not feeling effects of lowered inflation'
Companies are not yet feeling the benefits of a fall in inflation and margins will be squeezed in the coming months by increasing labour costs, one company has revealed.
Small firms still battling the banks
A third of small businesses are still struggling to get bank finance and a similar number have seen a rise in the cost of their loans over the last two months, according to new research.
£3.4 billion for small firms
HSBC has created a $5 billion (£3.4 billion) fund for small businesses globally, saying it has already lent more to firms than last year.
Brown: Banks should pass on cut
Prime minister Gordon Brown is urging British banks to pass on the one percentage point interest rate cut to help businesses trying to get loans.
Businesses criticise rate increases
Companies are in uproar about plans to allow councils to increase business rates by two pence in the pound to pay for local development projects.
