Latest News
FSB calls for £1bn survival fund
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has proposed a new £1 billion fund be introduced to tide companies over during the next six months.
Bank meeting to boost lending
Chancellor Alistair Darling and business secretary Peter Mandelson are due to meet with banks tomorrow to encourage lending to small firms.
Cameron calls for national insurance cut
Conservative leader David Cameron has called for a 1p cut in national insurance contributions from small firms, which could save them £600 per year.
Downturn 'could be shallow'
Victor Smart, a spokesperson for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (Cima), says leading British firms are remaining positive as they see the current problems as the result of a crisis of confidence rather than a decline in economic fundamentals.
Taxes for small firms 'should be simpler'
Small businesses find it difficult to adapt in hard economic times as the tax system is so complicated, according to an industry body.
Bank lending to revert to 2007 levels
Lending from three banks to small businesses is set to increase to the levels seen in 2007 after a government bailout.
Rate cut was 'essential'
Industry bodies describe the Bank of England's decision to cut interest rates by 0.5 per cent as good news for small firms.
Rescue package 'should include small firms'
Small companies should be recognised in the bank restructuring programme to help them with rising costs, according to an industry body.
Small businesses confident in credit crunch
Most small firms realise the UK is on the verge of a recession but a majority expect their business to remain healthy or not to change, according to a new survey.
New fund to help small businesses
Gordon Brown has proposed a new £12 billion fund to help firms in the credit crunch.
UK businesses call for rate cut
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have called for a rate cut of half a percentage point when a decision is made later this week.
Energy-efficient loans doubled
The Carbon Trust has doubled the amount small businesses can borrow to make their company more energy efficient.
EU plan to free up small business lending
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has pledged to loan more money to small and medium-sized firms as commercial lenders tighten their criteria.
FRC: Firms should be extra cautious about fraud
Record levels of fraud in the UK means companies should ensure they have watertight internal control procedures to prevent losing out, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) warns.
MPC decision understandable, business group says
The decision made by the Bank of England's monetary policy committee (MPC) to hold interest rates at five per cent was 'understandable', the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) comments.