Latest News
Rate cut 'increases confidence'
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says yesterday's (February 5th) interest rate cut will support business confidence.
RBS pledges £3bn SME lending
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has announced it will create funds worth £3 billion to lend to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Manufacturing 'should be govt's focus'
The government should channel more support towards the manufacturing industries rather than retail, according to an expert.
Rates 'could hit zero and stay there'
Interest rates could hit zero per cent and stay there for the rest of 2009 and throughout 2010, an expert has predicted.
UK economy 'to be hit for 20 years'
The UK economy will experience the worst recession since World War II and government debt will stay at pre-crisis levels for 20 years if taxes are not raised, new reports show.
Automatic rate relief 'not possible'
Automatic rate relief for small companies is not possible, according to Communities and Local Government (CLG).
BCC: Lending from banks essential to reduce unemployment
The government must force banks to lend again if the UK is to battle rising unemployment levels, according to the British Chambers of Commerce.
Banks bailed out again
The government is set to plough £200 billion into Britain's banks in return for legally-binding contracts to increase lending to businesses.
UK will not grow 'until third quarter of 2009'
The UK will see five quarters of negative growth before things improve, according to an expert.
Firms getting 0% on accounts
Some businesses are getting zero per cent interest rates on their bank accounts, according to new research by MoneyFacts.
Rate relief 'should be automatic for small firms'
Businesses rate relief for small companies should be granted automatically under a new private member's bill, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
FSB welcomes new £1.3 billion fund for small firms
The onus of responsibility is now on bank managers to see that companies get credit, according to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), after the government announced a £1.3 billion funding package.
Retail could pay £7bn in business rates by 2010
New government plans could lead to the retail sector paying out £7 billion a year in business taxes by 2010/11, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Rates lowest in 300 years
The Bank of England has reduced interest rates to their lowest level since it was founded in 1694.
